ISU professor Christian Meissner is doing research that challenges one of the common knowledge hallmarks of lie detection.

“If you’re preparing to fabricate an account, you may generate some degree of detail to it. But, you’re going to create a story that you can tell with consistency and reliability, and you’re not going to go too far in that story beyond what you believe you can account for,” Meissner said.

Liars, therefore, may actually tell stories that vary less between the times they’re told than the stories of truthful individuals. Meissner said that these truthful variations may be based on who the subject is talking to, as well as clarification or remembrance of new details.

“Truthful accounts can develop and grow,” Meissner said. “They change quite a bit based on perspective, and you can actually enhance the memory by using certain techniques.”