Accordingly, we hold that prior to reversing the deputy commissioner's credibility findings on review of a cold record, the full Commission must, as it did in Pollard, demonstrate in its opinion that it considered the applicability of the general rule which encourages deference to the hearing officer who is the best judge of credibility. In so holding, we are aware that no specific findings are required to be made by the Commission before it decides whether or not to hear new evidence under G.S. 97-85. See Chisholm v. Diamond Condominium Constr. However, we have determined that matters of credibility require a different approach. While the Commission is entitled to overrule the deputy commissioner's ruling on credibility, its determination cannot be made lightly when the deputy commissioner is the only person who has observed the witnesses.
Credibility can be decisive in deciding a party's success or failure.
Our holding today recognizes this fact and reinforces the widely-held belief that credibility is best judged by those who are present when the record is made. In civil and criminal trials, trial judges are considered to be the best judge of credibility since they are present to observe the witnesses. 119 N.C. App. 2 N.C. App. But the trial judge is present for the full sensual effect of the spoken word, with the nuances of meaning revealed in pitch, mimicry and gestures, appearances and postures, shrillness and stridency, calmness and composure, all of which add to or detract from the force of spoken words.