In an investigation, once we identify someone as having potential knowledge of a crime, whether it be direct or indirect, we must approach them knowing that there is a wealth of information they may offer, even if the subject doesn’t know or want to offer it to us. Conducting analysis on a subject’s account can allow us to detect deception, obtain the hidden information and uncover the hidden truth, all based solely on the words a subject chooses as they speak or write to us about what they know.

Statement analysis is best defined as a discipline of applying universal principles on how a subject’s psychology and psyche is expressed in their language in order to truly understand the subject when they communicate with us. It is not deception detection, but deception detection becomes a biproduct of conducting an analysis. The analyst does this by uncovering a subject’s true perceptions and perspectives on the topics they are communicating about.

We can apply this discipline to content obtained in a variety of ways, such as:

Formal Statements

Interviews

911 Calls

Social Media Posts

Media Statements

Letters/Anonymous Letters

About the Analyst:

Steven Pagano has over 20 years in Law Enforcement, still currently working as a police officer in northeast Ohio. He has studied and practiced the discipline of investigative linguistics for over 15 years, utilizing the skills in his own investigations and assisting fellow investigators. The bulk of his training came under the mentorship of Peter Hyatt, a top expert in the field, known around the world. Steven has also had the privilege of training with and learning from peers from a host of professional backgrounds and from across the globe.