Humans 'bad at detecting lies'

Humans are very bad at detecting lies, with most people being deceived the majority of the time, forensic psychologist Kerry Daynes has said.

Her comments come as an experiment at Latitude festival this weekend hopes to uncover the science behind lying by asking people either to be dishonest or conceal a difficult truth.

Sophie Scott, a lecturer in cognitive neuroscience at University College London, said the idea that people avert their gaze while lying is a misconception.

Most people make extra eye contact while lying, she explained, as they want to know if they are being believed.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday 16 July.