What does the term "leakage" refer to in forensic interviewing?

The term "leakage" in the context of forensic interviewing specifically refers to the phenomenon where a person's true feelings or thoughts are inadvertently revealed through their nonverbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures. This concept highlights the contrast between what a person says verbally and the signals they communicate nonverbally, which may suggest deception or a lack of sincerity.

Recognizing leakage is crucial for forensic interviewers, as it can provide insights into the interviewee’s true emotional state or intentions, even when their words might imply something different. This understanding enables interviewers to ask more probing questions and to interpret responses more accurately, thus improving the effectiveness of the interview process.

Incorporating this understanding into interviews supports the goal of gathering accurate and truthful information, allowing the interviewer to be more aware of inconsistencies between verbal and nonverbal communication.