Forensic Linguistics and Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling involves every piece of evidence surrounding a crime scene. Of high importance is forensic document examination where examiners use "forensic linguistics" to discover intimate details about the author. Forensic document examination and forensic linguistics, also called "forensic stylistics," go far beyond handwriting analysis. 

The way in which we use language reveals a great deal about our history, our subconscious intentions, and our background, which is why it is so important in criminal profiling. Forensic document examination and the use of forensic linguistics is the process of applying knowledge and theories of linguistics to ransom notes, threatening messages, extortion letters, and other crime related communication. Regardless of whether the communication is typed, handwritten, electronic, or oral, forensic linguistics uses the style, tone, and other linguistic elements as criminal profiling tools to see inside the mind of the document's creator.

Forensic linguistics and forensic document examination give investigators another scientific criminal profiling tool that stands up in court. Instead of assumptions, using forensic linguistics methods to examine documents leaves little room for defensive argument. Linguistics is widely used and accepted in both psychology and law enforcement and shares a common basic principal. 

Among other elements, when using forensic linguistics as a tool of forensic document examination, the researcher looks for patterns in language as well as inconsistencies in those patterns. In conversations, an investigator might notice clues in conversation turns, how frequently an individual re-introduces a topic, how quickly a person responds, whether or not speakers talk over each other, etc. 

The Academy Group practitioners that teach forensic document examination courses are former FBI agents and US Secret Service agents with a great deal of expertise in forensic evaluation of documents and conversations. To inquire about training through the Academy Group, contact Martin Rehburg at 703-330-0697.