I’ve been getting lots of requests for my opinion as a Body Language Expert on the Kavanaugh hearings yesterday. There’s a lot to say but I wanted to give you an overview here:
- This hearing was not designed to get the truth out of anyone. Each senator—who is not trained in investigations- had 5 minutes for Q and A. It should have been done by a trained investigator in one continuous narrative for real truth to be revealed.
- Ford appeared consistent and didn’t show any signs of deception to me.
- BUT I did get this bit of research from the FBI which we need to take into account:
Conclusion from a published scientific journal by one of many highly regarded experts on memory. Dr. Elizabeth Loftus.
“Our changeable memories: legal and practical implications.”
“The malleability of memory is becoming increasingly clear. Many influences can cause memories to change or even be created anew, including our imaginations and the leading questions or different recollections of others. The knowledge that we cannot rely on our memories, however compelling they might be, leads to questions about the validity of criminal convictions that are based largely on the testimony of victims or witnesses. Our scientific understanding of memory should be used to help the legal system to navigate this minefield.”
Dr. Ford may actually believe she is being honest and her body language would reflect that, HOWEVER that memory over 36 years plus events, recollections and interactions and questioning since thing have been proven to contaminate memory. Loftus have proven that in numerous empirical studies.
- Kavenaugh clearly lied about his drinking in high school. He avoided answering many times and then we saw this response from him:
Questioning the questioner is a telltale for lying. It’s likely he did have memory loss from drinking.
- So this makes her story, if not 100% true, plausible.
That’s the news you need to know. There’s been an FBI investigation ordered before any vote. It’s gonna be interesting.