Legal Definitions - forensic linguistics

Definition: Forensic linguistics is a scientific method used to analyze the language used in written or spoken communication to determine the identity or authorship of the communication.

For example, forensic linguistics can be used to analyze a ransom note to determine who wrote it. The linguist would examine the language used, such as the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, to determine if it matches the writing style of a suspect.

Another example is analyzing a threatening email to determine if it was sent by a particular person. The linguist would examine the language used, such as the tone, word choice, and sentence structure, to determine if it matches the writing style of the suspect.

These examples illustrate how forensic linguistics can be used to help solve crimes by analyzing the language used in communication to determine the identity or authorship of the communication.