Skype With Lie Detector

Skype has introduced a downloadable 'lie-detector': an application developed by KishKish that works with the Skype softphone to detect stress levels in the callers' voice.


According to Skype, "Using the KishKish Lie detector, you can monitor (in real-time) the stress level of the person you are talking to which allows you to gauge the level of stress and modify your questions."

The use of voice stress analysis (VSA) as a lie detector became popular in the late 1970s and 80s. In the 90s the first computerised VSA (CVSA) systems came to out to the market. According to KishKish, "the CVSAT is now the truth verification device of choice in the law enforcement community as the number of law enforcement agencies utilising the CVSAT continues to grow dramatically, proving the viability of the system for twenty-first century crime detection. The CVSAT is also being utilised by the US military in the global war on terrorism."

The KishKish Skype lie detector uses the first 10 seconds to "calibrate the system to the general stress level of the speaker." (So does this mean you can fool the system by opening up with a great big porker before continuing to lie through your teeth?).

Afterwards, "you will see four indicators about the stress level of the speaker. The most prominent one is a needle that moves up and down and registers the stress level of the speaker. The second is a meter which measures the stress level from 0 to 100. There is also a green light that changes to red when stress levels are above normal and finally, on top of the display there is a message which indicates the stress level of the speaker (high, normal)." KishKish offers no indication as to the accuracy of the product.

The lie detector is the latest in a series of products from KishKish designed to enhance Skype. Other tools include: voice mail, call recorder, book and mobile and the company says further additions will be announced in the near future.

KishKish is a wholly owned subsidiary of London Stock Exchange listed BATM Advanced Communications Ltd and also works closely with hardware manufacturers on Skype-related products.>