details change, and whether the person can explain the sequence of events naturally.
A person who is simply nervous may still tell the truth, so nervousness alone shouldn’t be treated as proof of deception.
Question #2: “What Happened Next?”
This simple follow-up can be surprisingly useful.
Rather than suggesting an answer, you’re asking the person to continue the timeline themselves.
Listen for changes in the story, unexplained gaps, or details that contradict what they said earlier. If clarification is needed, you can ask neutral follow-ups such as:
“When did that happen?”
“Who else was there?”
“What happened immediately afterward?”
The goal isn’t to trap someone. It’s to give them an opportunity to provide a consistent account.
Why Open-Ended Questions Are Better
Questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” don’t provide much information.
Open-ended questions encourage someone to describe events in their own words. This gives you
