The Center for Advanced Technologies for Deception Detection (CATDD) at the University of South Carolina operates to establish an objective analytical basis for the reliable detection of deception, address public, private and military needs within this arena, and employ scientists and technical staff from a variety of disciplines, and provides state of the art equipment and facilities to deliver application specific solutions.

This program of research has the potential to greatly enhance existing national security efforts, especially in the realm of counterterrorism. Human deception is a complex process that traditional detection measures cannot validly assess. However, research conducted to-date on the neurocognitive processes underlying human deception suggests that the central nervous system, may be a valid source of information about deception.  Knowing more about the brain structures and cognitive processes involved in deception and developing a better understanding of the socio-cognitive influences on deception will allow researchers to make new discoveries and innovations in deception detection efforts.

Currently the CATDD utilizes fMRI, ERPs (event-related scalp potentials), pupillometry, and behavioral measures to assess the spatial distribution and time course of cognitive processes occurring during acts of deception.  Because deception is a very complex cognitive and social process, a comprehensive research program must include highly accomplished scientific researchers that are conversant in varying disciplines together with a competent technical staff.