An attitude of despair and resignation is just as common in the innocent subject as in the guilty one.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not determinative
• D. Sometimes true

Answer: (B)

Behavioral cues in interviews reflect how people manage stress and evidence, and some reactions are more tied to guilt than to innocence. An attitude of despair and resignation often crops up when a person feels there are no good options left and the weight of the situation is heavy, which is more typical for someone who has something to lose and is facing consequences. Innocent individuals, even under pressure, are more likely to stay engaged with the process—asking questions, offering explanations, and trying to clear their name—rather than surrendering to resignation. So this pattern isn’t equally common in both groups; it’s more characteristic of someone who is guilty. That said, emotions can vary and no single cue proves anything by itself; they should be considered as part of a broader, contextual assessment.