MEET THE HUMAN LIE DETECTOR!
Woman's Day Australia|February 06, 2023
Steve van Aperen is peeling back the layers - one fib at a time
Maisy Rae
MEET THE HUMAN LIE DETECTOR!

We've all been a little creative with the truth, told a white lie to a friend about her lovely (god-awful!) jumper, but just how good are we at getting away with it?

"If somebody's lying, you usually find holes in their stories, they'll contradict themselves and won't put themselves in the narrative," says Steve van Aperen, 59.

The human behavioural expert has helped put away some of the world's most violent criminals and murderers using his powers of detection.

Speaking to Woman's Day from his home in Melbourne's South Yarra, Steve hasn't switched off his inner detective, analysing each and every question he's asked, playfully flipping the script and putting us under the spotlight. It's nerve-racking, despite our innocent chat.

"We're all humans, whether we commit a crime and lie, or we lie about how we feel or to attract a partner or to save face," he says.

Dubbed the "Human Lie Detector" following a stint on US television, Steve regularly faces the toughest questions from his family and friends about their teenage children running rampant, or what it means if their partner has come home late. But when he's not helping solve family frictions, Steve travels the world training CEOs of financial institutions, airlines, government agencies, and even the Attorney-General's office.

It's not bad for a former cop who started out with the Victoria Police in the 1980s.

In 1996, Steve was working as a police detective - he'd been in the force for around 14 years and had mentioned he had always been interested in how criminals operate.

He was then sent over to the Behavioral Sciences unit in Virginia, US.

FBI IMPRESSIVE CLIENTS

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN'S DAY AUSTRALIAView all
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'

We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
Woman's Day Australia

5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH

His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
Rolling the DICE
Woman's Day Australia

Rolling the DICE

Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Woman's Day Australia

UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE

Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
Woman's Day Australia

OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!

When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!

time-read
3 mins  |
September 16, 2024
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
Woman's Day Australia

ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'

The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
Woman's Day Australia

KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'

He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
Woman's Day Australia

GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!

The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian

time-read
2 mins  |
September 16, 2024
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Woman's Day Australia

THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!

Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
Woman's Day Australia

ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD

He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!

time-read
1 min  |
September 16, 2024