Crime Signals

by David Givens

Crime Signals helps you stop crime before it starts. David Givens, one of the nation's foremost experts in nonverbal communication, offers a fascinating and instructive look at crime, and into the tell-tale signs that give away all offenders―if you're trained to see them.

From the signals of a swindler to the warning signs that experts use to help thwart terrorism and violent crime, this book breaks down a criminal's body language into clear recognizable

• What does it mean if an assailant's face turns suddenly pale ?

• Is a pat on the arm from a salesman a sign of sincerity, or an indication that you're about to get scammed?

• Does a liar make fewer hand gestures while they're lying―or more?

• If an aggressor shrugs his shoulders , should you be afraid?

This is the first book to offer a comprehensive guide to the body language of criminals. With amazing stories and instructive steps, it will change the way you view the world.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2008

About the author

David Givens, Ph.D., is the director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane, Washington. He has been a consultant for Pfizer, Epson, Wendy’s, Dell, Unilever, and Best Buy, and teaches Communication and Leadership in the graduate program of the School of Professional Studies at Gonzaga University.

He is the author of Love Signals: A Practical Field Guide to the Body Language of Courtship, Crime Signals: How to Spot a Criminal Before You Become a Victim, and Your Body at Work: A Guide to Sight-reading the Body Language of Business, Bosses, and Boardrooms.

Reviews

[Kevin Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book that reminded me of Gavin DeBecker's book about fear. The thesis of this one is that a person can lie but his body can not lie. By paying attention to the signals that the body shows us while a person is talking can help us spot a liar. The author gives many examples of situations where people have lied and how their body language gave them away.

Also discusses why and how often we lie. Turns out that it is a built in primate skill. We just have to learn to live with it. I loved the book -- no, that was a lie. I just wanted to say something really good about the book. The truth is that I learned a lot for this book. Some of what I learned I can use in every day life. It is well written and seems to be well researched.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. It was ok, a little too technical when it came to naming each muscle that caused the reaction. Gavin DeBecker's "The Gift of Fear" is much better. It's actually cited in this book, but just because the author knows good books doesn't mean he can write so the common person can understand like DeBecker does. Not bad, but not great either. Not a keeper. Read "The Gift of Fear" instead. That one is a keeper.

[Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting stuff, here. Looks to be the biggest problem many people have is simply not paying attention to their surroundings, especially the people around them.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

An expert in non-verbal communication catalogs defendants' movements during high profile court cases. He then interpolates those signs for the public and for police officers to identify likely criminals.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad, but not much original content either; much of the information here is common sense, already widely written about, or both. The various specific pointers on body language are good, though, and it's handy to have this many collected in one book for anyone not widely read on this subject.

[Elias · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far I like Gavin de Becker's books better.

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK - I didn't get around to reading this - like most other nonfiction books I don't read. sigh...

[Devin]

so far so good