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Forensic Science - Body Language Analysis
Thomas Jones
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,177)
In this 10-week class, students will learn to analyze body language clues related to a speaker's truthfulness, which is important in forensic settings, as well as in debate, negotiations, and many business activities.
Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Beginner Level
Forensic Science - Body Language Analysis focuses on an important component of witness and suspect statement analysis. Psychologists, profilers, and detectives have worked for decades to understand the subtle clues that individuals provide when they discuss details of crimes. We may be able to develop a sense of the truthfulness (or lack thereof) that permeates a statement from a witness or suspect. This can lead to new avenues of investigation in an ongoing case and can help to classify...
10 lessons//10 Weeks
Week 1Lesson 1Overview of Body Language AnalysisWe will cover the basics of determining a speaker's baseline, as well as the subtle clues that allow us to recognize deviations from baseline.Week 2Lesson 2Ramsey Case 1We will watch and discuss recordings of Patsy Ramsey to see if we can find clues to her honesty or dishonesty. We will also examine the specific details of her background which many affect her "performance" during interviews.Week 3Lesson 3Ramsey Case 2We will watch and discuss recordings of John Ramsey to see if we can find clues to his honesty or dishonesty. We will also consider the significance of his willingness to be interviewed in front of a large crowd roughly 25 years after his daughter's murder.Week 4Lesson 4Ramsey Case 3We will watch and discus recordings of Detective Linda Arndt to see if there are body language details that are significant in evaluating her truthfulness and their impact on witnesses or suspects she may have interviewed.Week 5Lesson 5Zodiac Case 1We will watch and discuss recordings of Arthur Leigh Allen to find clues about his truthfulness, or lack thereof. We will discuss the impact of his known mental health issues on his behavioral clues.Week 6Lesson 6Zodiac Case 2We will watch and discuss recordings of witnesses, including Don Cheney, Sandy Panzarella, Ken Boudreau, Bryan Hartnell (survivor), and Donald Fouke (retired SF police officer).Week 7Lesson 7Diane DownsWe will watch and discuss the body language, particularly eye-related behaviors, of convicted killer Diane Downs. Her body language may be more difficult to assess due to the effects of diagnosed narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders.Week 8Lesson 8Amanda KnoxWe will watch and discuss recordings of American Amanda Knox, who was convicted and then acquitted by an Italian court of a murder in Italy. We will consider the effects of a significantly different legal system on her state of mind during and after her trial and incarceration.Week 9Lesson 9Michael PetersonWe will watch and discuss recordings of Michael Peterson, who was convicted of killing his wife Kathleen Peterson, in what is known as the "Staircase Murder." His conviction was overturned, and there is debate whether he killed his wife, as opposed to a very territorial owl.Week 10Lesson 10OJ SimpsonWe will watch and discuss recordings of OJ Simpson to look for clues about his truthfulness about the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her acquaintance, Ron Goldman. In particular, we will look for clues suggesting he is guilty versus clues that suggest that he has knowledge about the crimes.
- Students will improve their understanding of body language clues and will put these skills to the test with a series of recorded interviews of real suspects and convicted offenders.
I have taught forensic science for 20 years, and had eleven years as a lawyer before that. I have significant experience in interview techniques and analysis of behavioral clues from witnesses and suspects. I am also a homeschooling parent, so I am comfortable with a wide range of learning modalities.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: available upon requestFeedback: available upon requestDetails: Students will be able to watch recordings of upcoming subjects to gain insight into each individual's baseline.Assessment
Frequency: available upon requestDetails: I offer informal assessments for any families who indicate that they would like one.Grading
Frequency: available upon requestDetails: Grades are completely optional and will be based on participation in discussion, or brief written comments on the cases we cover.
Even though we are covering true crime cases, I will carefully vet all materials to make sure that there is nothing scary or inappropriate in any of our materials.
The sources used in creating this course include my 30 years of experience evaluating witness statements/interviews, which includes body language analysis, along with the following outside sources: "Body language in the brain: constructing meaning from expressive movement," Frontiers of Human Neuroscience, 2015;9:450, which measured physiologic reactions to specific body language cues, confirming innate understanding of the emotional meanings of specific movements. The Definitive Book of Body Language, Allan Pease and Barbara Pease, Bantam Press, 2006. Silent Messages, Albert Mehrabian, Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, CA, 1971. This paper established the 7-38-55 rule of discourse analysis. Videos by the Behavioral Panel, a group of four experts in body language analysis, Scott Rouse, Mark Bowden, Chase Hughes, and Greg Hartley. These videos are available on YouTube and provide analyses of many well-known criminal cases, as well as analyses of speakers not involved in criminal cases. These videos are listed as secondary resources which can be viewed as examples of professional body language analysis in action.
Joined January, 2017
4.9
1177reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching for nearly 20 years, and focusing on forensic science classes and programs for kids since 2005. For the past five years, I have also been teaching a variety of online courses, including space science, climate change, writing,...
Group Class
$145
for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
55 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-16 learners per class
