NCJ Number
125015
Date Published
1990
Length
31 pages
Annotation
The article analyzes the use of tape recorded conversations in intelligence analysis and how language can be used in law enforcement to substantiate crimes.
Abstract
Tape recorded conversations allow courts to hear the defendant's and prosecutor's version of the case as compared to the court's actual hearing of the conversations that either substantiate or constitute the crime. Procedures for evaluating tape recorded conversations are provided followed by a discussion of techniques for interpreting the recordings. Conversation analysis requires intelligence, phonological, syntactic, and discourse analysis. Each analysis technique is described. The Delorean case is used to illustrate the use of topics within discourse analysis. Other techniques used within discourse analysis include response, topic-flow, language function, and contrastive analysis. The effects of linguistic intelligence analysis are also explored. 8 figures and 16 references.