The Nonverbal Assessment Component of the Forensic Assessment Interview Technique - FAINT

The assessment of nonverbal behavior is one of the components of FAINT considered in the assessment of a suspect.

FAINT classifies nonverbal behavior into the following three categories:

emblems, illustrators and adaptors:

• Emblems are defined as nonverbal behaviors that speak for themselves. They are very cultural, however extremely accurate as to a person's true communication. For instance, this researcher has observed in many areas of South Africa, people showing both thumbs up to communicate their approval of someone or something. The gesture says it all, no words are necessary.
• Illustrators are defined as nonverbal behaviors that help the listener understand
  the speaker's verbal communication. Non-verbally touching one's chest, saying, “Look at me. I have nothing to hide.” as one verbally states, "I didn't do it!" is a sample of an illustrator. If a person is telling the truth verbally, it seems consistent that their nonverbal behavior would assist the listener in understanding the verbal message. FAINT maintains that as illustrators increase from the interviewee’s norm, chances of the verbal message being truthful also increases.
• Adaptors are nonverbal gesticulations that do not help the listener understand the speaker's verbal message. They may even interfere with the listener’s ability to comprehend what is being said. Someone covering their mouth as they speak is a prime example of an “adaptor”. If the verbal communication
  is a lie, it is in the best interest of the deceiver that the listener not be able to clearly interpret the verbal message. FAINT teaches that as the use of adaptors increases, chances of deception increases.

READ MORE HERE