‘You See but you do not Observe’

In the story, ‘The Scandal of Bohemia’ Sherlock Holmes said, ‘You see, but you do not observe,’ meaning that whilst we all look at the same thing, not everybody is capable of seeing the same details and evidence.

Similar can be said of listening. We can often ‘hear’ but neglect to ‘listen’ to that which is being said.

One such example can be seen in the following from a fairly recent UK high-profile police investigation. 

Can you determine what it is?

A 12-year-old schoolgirl was reported as missing. In a bid to help locate her and raise public awareness of the case, her step-grandfather went on tv to appeal for her safe return.

The following is the interview;

Interviewer: Now listen, you've been living in house arrest, basically, for the last seven days almost now. How's that been?

Step-Grandfather: Ah, it's been horrible. It's been horrible. Do you know what I mean? The family's, we're stuck inside here, do you know what I mean? We've got all the papers outside, all putting accusations down and they asked me stupid questions yesterday, like, ‘oh, did you do anything?’ Well, no I (swears) didn't, excuse my language, but no, I didn't.

I'd never think of that. I loved her to bits, she's like my own daughter for God's sake. We had that sort of relationship. It was that sort of thing.

It was just, do you know, she wanted it, she got it. She's got a loving home, she's never gone without anything, so I can't work it out. What the hell's going on? They're all out there, they want to report the truth.

Is there anything about this interview which stands out for you?

Deception Detection Lab will publish our thoughts on this tomorrow.