Street-Corner Psychologists

Jeff Ayers, novelty-store manager To spot a thief, check for eye
contact, says New York-based Ayers. Persistent looking around or eyes
that dart from left to right should raise suspicion. Ayers also watches
people with “forced body language.” They pace purposefully up
and down aisles. “Sometimes the best-dressed [are the culprits];
they’re on a shopping spree with someone else’s credit card.
The ones I can’t [pick out] are those I’ve been friendly
with. One guy would jibber-jabber, then bend down to tie his shoes and
stick $300 worth of stuff in his bag.”

Gerald Scott, police officer Scott has been a New York City police
officer for 10 years. He says he can easily spot bad apples on the street
because they “tend to stay in a certain space for long periods of
time. They’re not really doing anything, they’re just
watching everybody. They’re never reading the paper or anything.
They’re worried about everything going on around them. Just look at
their eyes. There’s a lot of nervousness. You can tell
they’re trying to figure out if you’re a cop or not.”
Eric McMullen, cardsharp In the gritty gambling locales of Harlem,
McMullen is better known as “DOC,” or the Dealer of Cards.
“If I don’t cheat, I don’t eat,” says the amateur
magician turned master cardsharp. “Amateurs have shifty eyes. They
look around the table and try to talk to everyone. Let’s say the
sharp wants to switch the whole deck. He’ll get a little
fidgety—that’s a telltale sign for cheating.” Subtlety
is the secret behind flawless moves. “Always make gestures and
jokes, look people in the eye and don’t look at the
deck.”

John Breen, retired detective “I’m not claiming to be
Sherlock Holmes, but there are a number of behavioral interviewing
techniques taught in the police academy that can help tell you when
someone is lying,” says Breen, a former police lieutenant in
Arizona. “A suspect might put her hand up to her mouth or she may
cross her arms over her chest; whereas someone who is more receptive,
open and forthcoming won’t cross her arms. But you can’t take
that as gospel. You have to [measure up] the individual and determine
what her normal reactions might be.”

Sudha Chinniah, high-end salesperson “You can never tell
who’s going to spend on clothing,” says Chinniah, who works
at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York. But “how you
look is an extension of [how you feel]. The wealthiest guy may be dressed
casually, but he carries himself with confidence. A customer’s
wallet, watch and shoes approximate her financial background. Right now
there’s a trend toward slim shoes with elongated toes, which
defines a customer who’s absolutely current.”

David Boyle, county prosecutor Every nuance counts for a trial
lawyer, who must quickly convince a group of strangers that his version
of the facts is the truth. “Everything you do is being
judged—the way you dress, the way you talk,” says Boyle, a
prosecutor in Walton County, Georgia. If he wants jurors to listen to a
friendly witness, Boyle positions himself at the far end of the jury box,
forcing the witness to look straight at the jury and speak loud enough
for everyone to hear. During harmful testimony, he’ll study his
files or consult with his partner to indicate complete
disinterest.