Forensic Linguistics : Where Language meets Law

Introduction

    Forensic Linguistics is the study of how words, speech and writing can provide clues in investigation of criminal as well as civil cases. It is the analysis of given evidence such as anonymous letters, suicide notes or other things like emails to determine authorship, speaker or interpretation of legal documents. The admissibility of forensic linguistic evidence in court depends on the reliability, relevance and scientific validity. Only the qualified experts and evidence with proper chain of custody are preferred. Different countries have different legal standards.

    Gibbons (2001) : Forensic linguistics is the study of language in legal contexts, examining written and spoken communication to assist law enforcement, courts, and legal practitioners.
 

Background :

    The term ‘‘forensic linguistics’’ was coined by Jan Svartvik in 1968 after analyzing the Timothy Evans case. He identified the differences in the language of statements such as the differences in vocabulary and grammar indicating that there were more than one author and it also indicated some manipulated sentences. 

    (Summary of case - Timothy Evans was mistakenly convicted and executed in 1950 for the murder of his wife and daughter in London. Svartvik re-examined the written police statements attributed to Timothy. Years later, it was revealed that the actual culprit was John Christie, who was a serial killer and lived in the same building.) 

 
    Earlier, forensic linguistics focused on authorship identification and text analysis. Now the field includes voice analysis, assessment of potential threat and also contract interpretation. 

    Recently, the rise of cybercrime, social media and online threats has further widened its scope.
 

The Techniques used in Forensic Linguistics 

 

1. Lexical Analysis - It identifies unique words, patterns in vocabulary and spelling habits. It detects the variety in phrases, slang or jargon to analyze authorship or uncover deception. 

Example: This method is used in anonymous letters, ransom notes and suicide messages to link suspects or determine the origin of texts. 

 

2. Stylistics Analysis - It examines an individual’s writing style by analyzing their tone, rhythm, punctuation habits and over use of phrases. It identifies linguistic patterns that are often missed consciously such as preference for passive voice or overuse of specific words.

Example: This technique helps in distinguishing between multiple authors or detection of forgeries. 

 

3. Syntax and Structure Analysis - It analyzes sentence formation, grammatical patterns and punctuation and identifies the authorship or manipulation if present. Variations in the complexity of the sentence, paragraph organization and clause structure reveals about the deception, coercion or the presence of multiple authors.
Example: This method is commonly used to analyze the confessions, suicide notes and disputed legal documents. 

 

4. Phonetics Analysis - This focuses on analyzing speech patterns such as pitch, intonation and accent to identify the potential speakers or detect voices in disguise. Forensic phonetics uses spectrograms to visualize sound frequencies which help experts to compare vocal characteristics.
Example: This method is crucial in analyzing threatening calls, ransom demands or surveillance footage. 

 

5. Pragmatics Analysis - This field studies how language is used in context, focusing on the implied meanings, sarcasm or coded language. It helps assess the seriousness of threats, reveals the manipulation in conversations and clarify ambiguous language in legal disputes.
Example: Pragmatic analysis is widely applied in interrogations, police statements and assessments of online threats. 

 

6. Semantics Analysis - This examines the meanings of words, definitions and their contextual use to resolve ambiguity in legal documents, contracts and will disputes.
Example: By analyzing word relationships, forensic linguists can identify the manipulation, clarify unclear statements or identify hidden intent in texts such as threatening letters or defamatory content.  

 

Forensic Significance 

1. Authorship Attribution: It helps in identifying the writer of anonymous texts, ransom notes or other threatening messages by analyzing language patterns, vocabulary and syntax.

2. Speaker Identification: It is used in voice recordings, forensic phonetics helps in identifying suspects based on their accent, pitch and speech patterns, aiding in criminal cases involving ransom calls or threats. 

3. Threat Assessment: Forensic linguists evaluate ambiguous or coded language to assess the credibility and seriousness of threats in terrorism, cybercrime or harassment cases. 

4. Legal Document Analysis: The linguists analyze contracts, wills or confessions to clarify ambiguous language, resolve disputes or detect forgery. 

5. Deception Detection: They examine the inconsistencies in language and they can also expose false statements, fabricated confessions or manipulated evidence.

Case Study :

Hyderabad Bomb Blasts (2007) Case Study
    On 25th August 2007 in Hyderabad multiple bomb blasts occurred that were a terrorist attack, killing 42 lives and injuring over 50 people. The case is famously known as the twin bombing case. The blasts took place at two prominent public spots in Hyderabad, Telangana: 

1. Lumbini Park (an open-air theatre)
2. Gokul Chat Bhandar (a busy eatery)

    A third unexploded bomb was later discovered and defused in the city. According to initial reports, the banned Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami militant outfit of Bangladesh is suspected for the serial blasts.
 

About the Attack

• The explosions occurred just minutes apart. Emails were received a few minutes before the attack claiming the incident. 
• The bombs were suspected to be planted by a terrorist group with links to international networks.
• The materials used included ammonium nitrate and other explosive components.
• After 11 years of investigation, two of the Indian Mujahideen men were convicted for terror after recording statements of 170 witnesses in the case.

 Role of Forensic Linguistics :

• Before the attack, an email allegedly claiming responsibility was sent to the media. 
• The email contained specific phrases, writing patterns and vocabulary that offered clues about the sender.
• Many calls were received after the blast, claiming that they were the attacker which made the work of the linguists more difficult.
• Primarily the initial emails were analyzed, the patterns and jargons were noted which helped them to differentiate between the original and hoax calls and texts.

Investigators examined:

• Spelling patterns that suggested non english speakers.
• The accent of the writing suggested the person was of urdu origin.
• The mails typically consisted of urdu, telugu and english language that established the perpetrators background.
• Grammatical structures resembling South Asian dialect patterns.
• Cultural references that hinted at the group's regional background.

Profiling the Suspects :

• The linguistic analysis combined with digital forensics, helped identify the individuals linked to the Indian Mujahideen (IM), a terrorist group responsible for multiple attacks in India.
• The language style matched patterns from previous IM communications, helping in establishing connections to known suspects.

Outcome:

• The investigation revealed that the Indian Mujahideen were involved in the attacks.
• Several key members like Riyaz Bhatkal and Iqbal Bhatkal, were identified as masterminds.
• In 2013 the Mujahideen operators were convicted for the attack.
• The court acquitted accused Farooq Sharfuddin Tarkash and Mohammed Sadiq Israr Ahmed Shaik and court found that there was enough evidence against Aneeq Shafique Sayeed and Mohammed Akbar Ismail Chowdhari and they were pronounced guilty.
• During the investigation it was also found that there were cross border elements, the planning evidence was found in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Linguistic evidence supported other forensic findings like IP tracing, phone records and physical evidence.

Conclusion

    Forensic linguistics is becoming vital in criminal investigations, cybercrime analysis and legal proceedings. With advancements in AI, voice recognition and digital forensics, experts can now analyze language with greater precision. As communication methods evolve, forensic linguists will play a crucial role in identifying threats, resolving disputes and ensuring justice. The field’s growth is supported by expanding research and educational programs, promising innovative solutions for addressing language based evidence in complex legal and security challenges.

References :

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/twin-blast-survivors-unhappy-with-verdict-on-four-im-operatives/article67076374.ece#:~:text=Two%20powerful%20explosions%20had%20ripped,42%20people%20and%20wounding%2068.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_2007_Hyderabad_bombings
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyderabad_bombings
4. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/2007-hyderabad-twin-bomb-blasts-verdict-out-1331286-2018-09-04?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. https://nfsu.ac.in/Programs/programinfo/92?deptid=62
6. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311983.2023.2214387
7. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315630311/introduction-forensic-linguistics-alison-johnson-david-wright-malcolm-coulthard
8. https://ejournalwarmadewa.id/index.php/ijfl/article/view/1625