Marković’s scientific contributions

This paper is an analysis of verbal and vocal clues in situations of false and true statements. 10 independent evaluators participated in the research: 5 male and 5 female, students of The Academy of Crime and Police Studies, average age between 21 and 24 years. Their task was to assess frequency of certain verbal and vocal clues based on the analysis of ten transcripts containing both statements of persons lying and telling truth (5 false and 5 true statements) as well based on audio recordings of these statements; after the analysis they were requested to give their harmonized assessment. For the purpose of this research a list of verbal and vocal clues was created, and clues were selected on the basis of scientific findings up to date. Some of statement content analysis criteria were used to assess verbal statements (directness, admitting he/she cannot recall something and unusual details, quantity/quality and comprehensiveness of details and length of an answer), while some verbal clues were assessed through quantitative calculations (number of words, length of an answer and frequency of speech errors). Noticed frequency of certain verbal clues (directness, admitting he/she cannot recall something and unusual details) and frequency of certain vocal clues (speech errors, latency period, pause frequency, tone level, speech pace/tempo) was presented by use of 4-degree Likert scale (ranging from none to numerous). Results related to verbal clues led to the conclusion that there are certain differences between false and true statements. More words were used in true statements, and answers of persons telling the true were more immediate, i.e. direct and clear. When it comes to vocal clues, there are also certain differences between false and true statements. While telling true examined persons were speaking fast and loud, while in false statements persons were speaking fast and loud at the beginning but their speech became slower and quieter as interview was developing; speech errors were also recorded. The conclusions were corroborated by findings of other studies.