Expert forensic linguistics consulting for authorship analysis, threat assessment, deception detection, trademark & copyright infringement, and more.

Forensic linguistics is a subfield of the scientific discipline of linguistics (the science of human language) and can be defined as the application of linguistic knowledge and methods to legal matters. It involves analyzing language evidence, such as written texts or spoken words, to assist in legal investigations and proceedings. This field draws upon various areas of linguistics, including phonetics, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, to examine language features and patterns that can shed light on issues relevant to the law (see e.g. Grant [2022] for an overview of the development of the field).

An expert forensic linguistics consultant may be called upon to analyze a wide range of materials, including threatening letters, ransom notes, suicide notes, witness statements, and even social media posts. Their expertise can include identifying the author of an anonymous document, determining the level of veracity in a statement, or understanding the meaning and implications of language used in a legal context.

By examining a person’s linguistic characteristics, such as their use of vocabulary, grammar, and habitual errors, forensic linguists can provide valuable insights into questions of authorship, authenticity, and meaning. Their work can help to resolve disputes, identify suspects, and ensure that justice is served.