Goddard Assists with Detecting Liars

Scott Newman, a student of Yorktown High School in Arlington, Va., wondered after the September 11 attacks what actions could be aken to deter terrorists from committing such acts. Newman knew that blushing caused an increase in facial temperature and theorized that the same effects would be true for when a person was dishonest. Newman came up with the idea of using infrared cameras in "Catching Liars," which went on to become his science project.

Newman shared his idea with his father, Steve Newman, who is a NASA headquarters employee. Newman's dad contacted an associate at Snell Infrared, which provides training on the use of infrared equipment to Goddard employees. Snell, in turn, referred Newman to Goddard and the Facilities Management Division where the infrared cameras are used to ensure the reliability of electrical equipment such as panel boards and large switch gear.

Eugene Mszar, Leslie Collins and Bobby Fogle who all work in Code 227 where the infrared thermography cameras are housed, assisted Newman in his "liar project." The scientists provided guidance on how to read infrared imagery and the use of the camera.

Volunteers were recruited for testing and to collect data. Facial infrared imagery was taken prior to the test where volunteers were given three questions to answer. Of the three, they were asked to give a false answer to one of them unknowingly that Newman was well aware of the question they were going to give the false answer to. Newman recorded the difference in the thermographical readings of the volunteers.

Newman's project at his school's Science Fair, "Catching Liars - An Innovative Study in Infrared Lie Detecting," positioned him to be entered in the State of Virginia's Science Fair where his project won "Best of Show." This then qualified him for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) that was sponsored by Intel in Louisville, KY, last month. At the ISEF Newman's project received several awards and a full scholarship to Drexel University from the Army.

In addition to appearing on the morning NBC program, "Today" with Katie Couric, Newman and his project has been featured in many local newspapers. He is currently in the process of having his invention patented.