Forensic Linguistics Definitions Forensic linguistics is the name

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Forensic Linguistics

Forensic Linguistics

Definitions: “Forensic linguistics is the name given to a number of sub-disciplines within applied

Definitions: “Forensic linguistics is the name given to a number of sub-disciplines within applied linguistics, and which relate to the interface between language, the law and crime. The range of topics is diverse: from the analysis of confessions to the language rights of ethnic minorities, from the assessment of threat in a ransom demand, to determining the genuineness of a suicide note. ” (Wikipedia. com) The study of the language of the law, including the language of legal documents and the language of the courts, the police, and prisons; · The alleviation of language-based inequality and disadvantage in the legal system; · The interchange of ideas and information between the legal and linguistic communities; · Research into the practice, improvement, and ethics of expert testimony and the presentation of linguistic evidence, as well as legal interpreting and translation; · Better public understanding of the interaction between language and the law. (From the constitution of the IAFL)

Core Areas • • • Authorship analysis Phonetic Voice Identification Investigative Interviewing Techniques Language

Core Areas • • • Authorship analysis Phonetic Voice Identification Investigative Interviewing Techniques Language in the Courtroom Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable Witnesses

Interested Parties: • Law Enforcement Agencies: – FBI – SCAS – Interpol • Civil

Interested Parties: • Law Enforcement Agencies: – FBI – SCAS – Interpol • Civil Rights Activists: – Unicef – Red Cross – NAACP

Practitioners: • Academics: – Janet Cotterill (Courtroom Discourse, e. g. OJ Simpson trial) –

Practitioners: • Academics: – Janet Cotterill (Courtroom Discourse, e. g. OJ Simpson trial) – Roger Shuy (Concealment of Evidence, political language) – ME! (Police Discourse, Investigative Questioning) • Police Officers/Adjunct Investigators: – D. S. Kerry Marlowe (Investigative Interviewing) • Private Consultancy Agencies: – Forensic Linguistics Institute (John Olsson) – Institute for Linguistic Evidence (Carole Chaski)

Uses: • Expert Witnesses • Discourse Analysis: – Written: Court Transcripts (miscarriage of justice,

Uses: • Expert Witnesses • Discourse Analysis: – Written: Court Transcripts (miscarriage of justice, training of lawyers, etc. ) – Spoken: Maximising effectiveness of: • Police Interviewing Techniques • Cross Examination • Witness Protection