Behaviour Analysis: What is Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™)?

This year I gained certifications in Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™) and Facial Action Coding System (FACS), two scientific systems that can be useful in analysing human behaviour. This article focuses on explaining SCAnS™, while a separate article focuses on FACS.

What is the Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™)?

Developed by the Emotional Intelligence Academy (EIA), SCAnS™ is a behaviour analysis methodology used to code human behaviour. The Six Channel Analysis System helps to discern potential deception by identifying clusters of behavioural points of interest across multiple communication channels. The six channels are:

• Face

• Body

• Voice

• Linguistic Content

• Interactional Style

• Psychophysiology

Academically peer-reviewed and tested in counter-terrorism contexts, SCAnS™ is considered the gold standard in behaviour analysis. It’s used in the security sector for screening by airports, national intelligence and global diplomacy. It’s also used by law enforcement, military, recruitment and negotiation, and by behaviour analysts, such as myself, for deception detection on private or criminal cases.

Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™) Development 

Body Language Myths

Six Channel Analysis System development began in 2008 to combat widespread myths surrounding lie detection and credibility assessment. Unfortunately, these body language myths are still common among body language ‘experts’ and law enforcement professionals. Part of my work involves dispelling these myths, which have filtered down to the general public. When believed, these myths can be damaging within all types of relationships. Common myths include eye direction, nose and ear touching and gaze avoidance.

Since 2008, SCAnS™ has been reviewed, tested and implemented in various settings. This year (2023), the SCAnS™ training programme was rolled out as a pilot programme for certification. I completed the pilot programme and can share my experience about the process, in case you’re interested in gaining the certification too.

How Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™) Works

The Six Channel Analysis System utilises 27 behavioural indicators, known as Points of Interest (PIns), that fall into one of the six communication channels (face, body, voice, linguistic content, interactional style and psychophysiology). EIA claims the 27 PIns are evidence-based, with five or more peer-reviewed research papers connecting the behaviours to deception.

SCAnS™ coders observe behaviour, usually from video, identifying PIns. Clusters of three or more PIns, from two or more communication channels that occur within a seven-second timeframe are documented as potential indicators of deception. Coders hypothesise and document meaning and areas to dig deeper, concluding the report with potential areas of deception and suggestions for further lines of inquiry. 

Contrary to popular belief, this kind of behaviour analysis is not typically used in courts as evidence of deception, and, in many countries, it isn’t permitted in court. Instead, such analyses are most useful for criminal investigations, pre-trail, as they help guide investigations to uncover the truth.

Studying Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™)

Bear in mind that I completed the SCAnS™ training pilot programme, so changes may have been made since. I had also completed an MSc in Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis, with EIA and Manchester Metropolitan University, so had (somewhat) learned the basics of SCAnS™.

Since I had completed the MSc, my training included a one-day virtual group training refresher and an hour of private virtual coaching. It appears the general training now available from EIA includes a two-day virtual group training and a passive online element that sets the foundations before the live training. 

I’m assuming the two-day training is more robust because I felt that the one-day ‘refresher’ training didn’t go far enough. It was a pilot programme, so knowing EIA, I trust our feedback was considered to improve training. 

There were elements that I hadn’t learned about on the MSc programme, that were assumed we would know. I believe this was also the experience of my peers. Even though I’ve been working in the field for years, and am more knowledgeable about behavioural indicators than some others on the MSc, there were knowledge gaps. It was challenging, and I did wonder how others with less knowledge could pass when I wasn’t sure whether I would pass. I did, I passed at 86%, but I’m very pedantic and put a tonne of effort into it.

I searched for answers to fill my understanding via books and research papers, finding no explanations in some cases. This was somewhat concerning, given the behavioural indicators are science-based. I’m not saying they aren’t, but I did struggle to find evidence in some cases. I was particularly looking for information on the shoulder shrug and eye closures. 

The Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™) Assessment

To gain certification, trainees code four videos of individuals using SCAnS™ methodology. These are real-life investigations and you’ll probably recognise the individuals or may have memories of the cases from news reports.

Like with Facial Action Coding System (FACS), and CatFACS, there’s a requirement to gain 70% accuracy with coding. EIA assesses your coding against certified coders' results. Unlike the FACS test, where results are automatically calculated with instant grading, SCAnS™ is marked manually. Therefore, an additional remarking fee is charged if you fail to reach 70% accuracy the first time round. You can resubmit as many times as you need to. 

I should add, that EIA were very helpful in assisting me with clarifying learning, out of the allocated coaching session, in a string of emails between us.

Key Benefit of Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™)

Where SCAnS™ excels, is in its cross-channel analysis. Most behaviour analysis systems focus on just one communication channel, for example, statement analysis, body language or facial expression. My primary area of investigation was initially body language and facial expression. However, around 2016, I studied and gained certification in statement analysis, adding this to the mix.

I wanted to see how much information statement analysis could glean in comparison to body language and facial expression. What I found interesting, were the claims purporting that statement analysis was the only way to detect deception and other means did not work. I found that statement analysis did not glean more information than other means, it simply added information. It makes common sense that more channels will provide more information. Views that a single channel is the way to go are close-minded, a mentality that doesn’t bode well for behaviour analysis, where open-mindedness is key to not going down a rabbit hole of false belief.

Wrapping Up Six Channel Analysis System (SCAnS™)

Like FACS, SCAnS™ is viewed as a gold standard in behaviour analysis, each used for different purposes, with science-based methodology. Both offer a comprehensive, unobtrusive and more objective methodology, and both can be difficult to master with time-intensive training and coding. I’m okay with this though, because it takes effort to be good at anything. I hate to think about behaviour analysts practising without rigorous training–and yet, unfortunately, they are out there.

All methodologies such as FACS and SCAnS™ are open to subjectivity and bias; however, The rigorous assessment with its 70% agreement pass mark mitigates reliability issues.

Like with my FACS article, I hope I haven’t discouraged you with my honest experience. I’m thrilled I’m certified as a SCAnS™ coder and would do it all again if I needed to. I encourage you to persist in attaining certification too. Let me know how you go and whether you need any help.