Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception

The three authors bring exceptional qualifications to their deception detection methodology. Houston contributes a quarter-century of CIA experience, including roles as both investigator and polygraph examiner, Floyd adds over 40 years of military and intelligence service, ranging from a career as a commissioned officer in the Army Military Police through positions at the CIA and NSA, and Carnicero offers two decades of CIA security specialization in personnel screening and behavioral analysis, as well as experience as a deep cover CIA operative. Their combined expertise encompasses thousands of high-stakes interviews involving national security matters, criminal investigations, and counterterrorism operations. The authors credit Houston with developing the core deception detection methodology that became widely adopted throughout intelligence and law enforcement communities, while Floyd contributed specialized polygraph training. Carnicero’s unique contribution lies in creating behavioral screening programs that federal agencies and private industries currently employ, demonstrating practical application of their theoretical framework.

However, the authors’ intelligence community background creates both strengths and potential limitations for civilian readers. Their methodology evolved within environments where suspects faced serious legal consequences and investigators possessed significant authority—circumstances that may not translate directly to workplace conversations, family interactions, or social relationships where confrontational tactics could damage trust or violate social norms.