Certified Fraud Examiner Practice

The process of calibration or norming is used to establish a baseline for an individual's typical behavior, which can then be compared to their behavior in various situations, particularly when evaluating the truthfulness of their statements. By observing someone's normal behavioral patterns, examiners can determine deviations that may indicate potential dishonesty when that person is under scrutiny. This method is particularly effective because it relies on understanding how a person typically behaves, allowing for a more accurate assessment when unusual patterns emerge. Calibration involves recognizing cues such as body language, speech patterns, and facial expressions. When discrepancies are noted between a person’s baseline behavior and their actions while responding to questions, it may suggest that they are not being truthful. This contrasts with options related to more direct methods of assessing truthfulness, which do not focus first on observing the individual’s normal behavior before making judgments about their honesty. Thus, defining and understanding a personal norm is critical in the evaluation process of distinguishing truth from deception.