Everybody lies. Lying is pervasive in everyday life. But just how good are you at spotting lies? Producer Judith Kampfner talks to researchers who are learning how and why humans practice deception and why lies can be hard to detect. Pioneering psychologist Paul Ekman, whose research is the basis for the television series Lie to Me, tells us about detecting lying in facial and body language. Oxford researcher Paul Harris discusses his work with children, trying to understand why and at what point do children learn to tell deceive. A visit to Scotland Yard explores the extent to which investigators are willing to incorporate the new research into police cases. And research psychologists Richard Wiseman, Leonard Sax and Bella de Paulo discuss how magicians manipulate our belief in the truth, the reliability of lie detectors and the motives driving people to lie.

The Soundprint documentary series features the best work of top radio producers. The award winning documentaries are renowned for drawing the listener into the story with compelling interviews, authentic voices and rich sound. From memoirs to science, health and popular culture, Soundprint creates a powerful experience the listener will not soon forget.