SCIENCE REPORT - Lying Eyes

SCIENCE REPORT
–
January 17, 2002: Lying Eyes

By George Grow

Lying eyes (bottom) give off
increased heat
(Photo -Dr. James Levine)
This is the VOA Special English SCIENCE REPORT.

Scientists say they have developed a camera that can help identify when a person is not telling the truth. The new
camera measures the heat released² by a person’s face.

The scientists say the camera correctly identified lying in more than eighty percent
of the people they tested. They say the device³ might one day be used in high-level
security⁴ operations at airports or border crossings.

James Levine of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota led the study. Nature
magazine reported the findings⁵.

The scientists based their work on the theory that people who plan to trick someone
release¹ physical or chemical signals. They say these signals can help security
officials prevent wrongdoing.

The Mayo Clinic researchers worked with scientists at Honeywell Laboratories⁶ to
develop the new, heat-imaging technology. Doctor Levine says the camera is
designed to measure small changes in the body. He notes that the flow of blood to
the surface of the skin increases around the eyes when a person lies.

The scientists used twenty people to test the heat-sensing camera. Eight of the people took part in a crime that
was not real. They attacked a human-like object and stole money from it. They were asked to lie and say they
were innocent⁷ of the crime. The twelve other people in the study were told nothing about the make-believe crime.

The researchers used the special camera while questioning the twenty people about the crime. The camera
showed that six of the eight people who carried out the crime had increased heat around their eyes when they
lied. Eleven of the twelve people who knew nothing about the crime were correctly identified as innocent. When
they told the truth, the area around their eyes remained cool.

The researchers say the rate of success of the test was similar to the current polygraph method of lie detection⁸.
Polygraph tests measure changes in heart rate, breathing and the wetness of a person’s skin.

However, a polygraph test requires a person willing to be tested. And it takes time and skill to examine the
results. Lie detection experts say the new camera could be used without suspects knowing they are being
watched. The researchers say more testing and development of the device are needed.

This VOA Special English SCIENCE REPORT was written by George Grow.

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1 release   

vt.发布，发表，发行；释放，放开

参考例句：

• After my examination I had a feeling of release.考完试后我有如释重负之感。
• This medicine will give you release from pain.这药吃后会解除你的疼痛。

2 released   

v.释放( release的过去式和过去分词 )；放开；发布；发行

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• With hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. 事后才说他们本不应该释放他，这倒容易。

3 device   

n.器械，装置；计划，策略，诡计

参考例句：

• The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
• The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

4 security   

n.安全，安全感；防护措施；保证(金)，抵押(品)；债券，证券

参考例句：

• A security guard brought him down with a flying tackle.一名保安人员飞身把他抱倒。
• There was tight security at the airport when the President's plane landed.总统的专机降落时，机场的保安措施很严密。

5 findings   

n.发现物( finding的名词复数 )；调查（或研究）的结果；（陪审团的）裁决

参考例句：

• It behoves us to study these findings carefully. 我们理应认真研究这些发现。
• Their findings have been widely disseminated . 他们的研究成果已经广为传播。

6 laboratories   

n.实验室( laboratory的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• For, eight years, Marie Curie worked in cold laboratories with poor equipment. 整整八年，居里夫人在设备简陋、冰冷的实验室里做着实验。 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史
• Some commercial laboratories use periodic nitrate tests as guides. 许多商业性的试验室已应用定期的硝态氮分析作为指导。 来自辞典例句

7 innocent   

adj.无罪的，清白的；无害的；天真的，单纯的

参考例句：

• I'm not quite so innocent as to believe that.我还不至于简单到相信那种事的地步。
• I was very young,and very innocent.我那时非常年轻，幼稚无知。

8 detection   

n.察觉，发觉；侦查，探测

参考例句：

• He tried to escape detection by disguising himself as an old man.他企图乔装一老人逃过侦察者的耳目。
• The nose is a remarkable sensitive detection device.嗅觉是一种非常灵敏的控测器官。