The Lawyer as a Human Lie Detector: Uncovering Hidden Truths and Understanding Client Psychology and Deception

Dr. Mark G. Frank | University at Buffalo, State University of New York

Mark G. Frank is a professor in the Communication Department at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, where he served as chair from 2015-2021, and since then has been the Faculty Athletic Representative. He was born and raised in Buffalo and is a UB Alumnus (Psychology).

Dr. Frank received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Cornell University in 1989, and afterward he received a National Research Service Award from the National Institute of Mental Health to do postdoctoral research in the Psychiatry Department at the University of California at San Francisco Medical School. In 1992 he joined the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where he worked for 4 years until he joined the Communication Department at Rutgers University in New Jersey. In 2005 he went full circle and accepted a position offered by the University of Buffalo Communication Department, where he created and directs the Communication Science Center.

He has published numerous research papers on facial expressions, emotion, interpersonal deception, and also violence in extremist groups, and in 2016 won the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. He has had research funding from The National Science Foundation, US Department of Homeland Security, and the US Department of Defense to examine deception and hidden emotion behaviors in checkpoint, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism situations, as well as aggression in extremist groups.

He is also the co-developer of a patented automated computer system to read facial expressions, for which he won a Visionary Innovator Award from the University at Buffalo. He has used these findings to lecture, consult with and train virtually all US Federal Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies, as well as local/state and select foreign democratic countries. He is also one of the original members of the FBI Behavioral Science Unit’s Terrorism Research and Analysis Project. He has presented briefings on deception and counter-terrorism to the US Congress as well as the US National Academies of Sciences.

He has also given workshops to the US Federal Judiciary, various state Courts, and foreign judges and magistrates. He was selected to present 12 recorded lectures for the Great Courses series called Understanding Nonverbal Communication, and was recently a featured expert on the Curiosity Stream 6-part series called Inside the mind of a con artist. Finally, he has appeared in over 100 print, radio, and television appearances to talk about his work, including The New Yorker Magazine, Time Magazine, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, CBS Evening News, CNN, Fox News Channel, CNBC, National Public Radio, The Learning Channel, the Discovery Channel, the Oprah Show, the CBC, BBC, London Weekend Television, the Australian Today Show, the Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC Radio National, among others.

Doug Cash | Eide Bailly LLP

Doug is a retired law enforcement officer who specializes in dealing with white collar crime. He investigates fraud and helps clients prevent future problems while finding justice for past issues. When you work with Doug, you can expect a uniquely qualified partner who can help you crack down on white collar crime and find solutions to fraud while preventing more problems in the future. His professional experience and previous role as a law enforcement officer means he’s ready to work with you, whatever the issue. When he’s not helping clients, you’ll probably find Doug spending time with his family, traveling or trying to catch a fish as often as possible. Who can resist all the wonderful scenery and fishing opportunities in Colorado? Doug can’t!

Doug provides forensic accounting services for clients and has specific knowledge of fraudulent and criminal activities. Served as lead investigator in various types of fraud-related investigations, including embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, Ponzi and Pyramid schemes as well as theft by misrepresentation. Documented and qualified fraud losses and assisted with civil and criminal proceedings for clients.

Assisted clients with insurance claims involving fraud losses. Retired detective with decades of law enforcement experience and an emphasis in white collar crime. Former special agent with Arizona’s Department of Insurance Fraud Unit, as well as a financial investigator for JP Morgan Chase bank.

Session I – The Psychology of Lying and Deception | 1:00pm  – 2:40pm

• Psychology of lying
• Verbal and nonverbal clues
• Interpersonal context

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

• Utility in the courtroom

Session II – Reading Between the Lies, Uncovering Hidden Truths | 2:40pm – 5:00pm

• Deception recognition and interview strategies
• How memory impacts truthfulness and deception

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

• Spotting red flags and stress indicators during conversations
• Understanding different forms of communication
• Why people are deceptive and what drives it

Break | 4:20pm – 4:30pm

• Distinguishing between deception and lies
• Dispelling common myths around lie detection