Which of the following is NOT listed as an indicator of deception?

• A. Nail-biting
• B. Avoid eye contact
• C. Sweating
• D. Dry mouth

Answer: (D)

Indicators of deception are behaviors that officers are taught may accompany lying. In many training resources, common observable cues include nail-biting as a nervous habit, avoiding eye contact as a nonverbal attempt to shield the truth, and sweating as a sign of physiological arousal under stress. These cues are emphasized because they are observable and can align with a stressed mental state during deception. Dry mouth, while it can occur during anxiety, is not typically highlighted as a deception cue in standard training because it’s much less specific and can arise from numerous non-deceptive causes like dry air, caffeine, medications, or normal talking. Therefore, it isn’t listed as an indicator in the common lists, making it the correct choice for NOT being listed.