Lie detector tests are to be used in a fresh attempt to root out benefit fraudsters, the Government announced today.

The move will involve so-called voice-risk analysis software - which examines changes in a caller’s voice – being used to identify suspect cases at the start of a claim.

The technology, which is already used by the insurance industry to help uncover fraud, is being piloted by Harrow Council, in north London, for housing benefit and council tax benefit claims.

It analyses changes in a caller’s voice giving an indication of risk levels.

The sophisticated system works by first analysing the characteristics of a customer’s “normal” voice to establish a benchmark at the beginning of a call. This is then used during the rest of the conversation as a guide for analysing changes in frequency caused by changes in emotions.

Using thousands of mathematical calculations, the technology is able to assess changes in voice frequency, identifying different categories of emotional content which enable it to identify genuine callers as distinct from those who may be lying. For example, changes caused by natural factors, such as nervousness or shyness, are taken into account.

Callers will hear a standard message before they speak alerting them that the technology is being used.

If benefit staff assess the answers as suspicious, the caller may be asked to provide further evidence to support their claim. Final decisions will still rest with staff.

John Hutton, the Works and Pensions Secretary, said: “This technology aims to tackle fraudsters while speeding up claims and improving customer service for the honest majority.”

“Our investigators are successfully using sophisticated 21st century techniques to stop criminals. The introduction of this cutting edge technology will be another weapon in the battle against benefit fraud.”

According to Government figures, benefit fraud has been reduced from about £2 billion in 2001 to an estimated £0.7 billion in 2005/06.

Aside from being employed to detect insurance fraud, lie detector technology has taken on a number of other uses in recent years. Last month, Moscow City Council began work on proposals to allow the civil service and private companies to subject prospective employees to polygraph tests.

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