SCAN (Scientific Content Analysis) is an analytic method that claims to detect deception in written statements. Although the validity of SCAN is contested in literature, various (law enforcement) agencies across the globe are trained in using the technique. To date it remains unknown how the technique is perceived and to what extent it is used in practice. Based on a scoping review and an open- and closed-ended survey, we identified practitioners’ and scholars’ prevailing perceptions on the use(fulness) of SCAN. Data were collected from 48 participants (35 practitioners and 13 scholars). Key findings illuminate a discrepancy between practitioners and academics. While practitioners position themselves positively towards SCAN, academics urge for a complete disappearance of the technique. Practitioners apply an incomplete, personalized version of SCAN. Since SCAN is not applied in its originally designed form and existing research demonstrates the technique has important shortcomings, we advise practitioners to abandon SCAN altogether.
On Detecting Deception in Space Situational Awareness
