Simply stated, LSAT determines whether or not a story was generated from a person’s memory (truthful) or from other sources (deceptive). When a story is the result of someone recalling completely from memory, it takes on specific traits and characteristics. When a story is altered or misrepresented (deceptive), it takes on different and easily identified traits.
Secondly, deceptive stories are based in truth but become deceptive when the author omits critical, incriminating information. LSAT identifies the linguistic signals that indicate the story is missing critical information that was intentionally omitted, which makes it deceptive. The story is the truth, but not the whole truth.
DOES LSAT HAVE LIMITATIONS OR TIMES WHERE IT IS NOT APPLICABLE?
LSAT has no limitations in terms of the type or nature of the crime being investigated. All crimes and misconduct can be investigated using the LSAT technique.
LSAT can be somewhat time-consuming, depending on the circumstances. In cases where a crime may be in-progress, there may not be sufficient time to apply LSAT to its full potential. However, the basic concepts can be applied even during a brief, hurried verbal interview.
Additionally, to be highly competent, LSAT requires that the user put aside traditional thought processes during investigations and trust the LSAT analysis results rather than their instincts and personal logic. This can be difficult, but with practice, LSAT analysts come to realize it is more dependable than their logic and instincts.
Further, LSAT takes practice. Like any skill, if it isn’t used it is lost or weakened. The best analysts find a steady source of statements on which they can apply their LSAT skills regularly. LSAT provides students with access to previously analyzed statements on the website on which they can practice their LSAT skills and compare their findings with those of the experts..
HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO ANALYZE A STATEMENT?
It depends on the skill level of the analyst and the length of the statement. The analysis process itself may take only a few minutes. The examination and interpretation of the findings of the analysis can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Generally, a beginning LSAT analyst can produce a finished analysis and report in less than one hour.
WHAT IS THE EVIDENTIARY VALUE OF LSAT?
LSAT guides an investigation and reveals both informative evidence as well as the existence of physical evidence much the same way a polygraph examination does. The analysis results themselves are not generally admissible in court as evidence. In other words, LSAT results are not probable cause for an arrest but are definitely valuable in establishing probable cause during an interview/interrogation and in revealing the existence of physical evidence.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN LSAT AND HOW LONG BEFORE I AM COMPETENT AT THE SKILL?
LSAT Basic training is a 24 hour block conducted over a three day period. The Advanced LSAT is 16 hours in length. Students leave the class with a good, useable working knowledge of the skills, but require on-going practice and feedback, both of which are provided by LSAT. Generally, with regular practice, students develop into a dependable, credible analyst within just a few statements
HOW RELIABLE IS LSAT?
There is considerable research that suggests the concepts upon which LSAT is based, is valid, accurate, and tested. The linguistic, psychological, emotional, and intellectual foundations and studies that led to the development of LSAT go back decades to the 1920’s. The FBI depends on statement analysis techniques as well as countless local, federal and international investigative agencies.
All that said, the proof of LSAT validity is empirical. That is, “the proof is in the pudding”. The credibility and validity of LSAT comes with using it. When one experiences success with LSAT, it builds credibility and confidence in the technique.
One independent study directed at determining the validity of statement analysis found it to be an average of 92% accurate in the combined determination of deception and truthfulness when conducted by a competent analyst. This is actually a higher validity than that of polygraph examinations which are generally about 85%.