NCJ Number
146032
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 62 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1993) Pages: 6-9
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The role of linguistics analysis in the criminal justice system is discussed. Three types of linguistics analysis are the focus of discussion.
Abstract
This article describes how linguistic analysis is useful in criminal investigations and in judicial proceedings. The three types of linguistic analysis with greatest relevance to the criminal justice system are: author/speaker comparison; author/speaker assessment; and discourse analysis. In author/speaker comparison, two or more written, typewritten and/or voice communications are compared to determine if they came from the same person. Author/speaker assessment is used to create a profile of the person who made a statement. Discourse analysis is used to facilitate understanding of recorded conversations. Several examples are given in which linguists helped investigators to confirm or rule out known suspects.