Criminals Languages from a Psycholinguistics Point Of View

Forensic psycholinguistic theory

Psycholinguistics involves the study of the relationship between the language behavior and the psychology processes that underlie the behavior of a writer or speaker. The theory of forensic psycholinguistic applies psycholinguistics in handling civil and criminal cases. The applied forensic psycholinguistic combines the practical experience of an investigator with expert knowledge in making sound judgment about a crime. In the last forty years, a lot of research has been done on detecting lies during interviews and interrogation sessions. Findings of the research suggest that language plays a crucial role in detecting lies and determining the validity of matters (Smith & Shuy, 2002). Information on language provides a broad understanding of criminal behavior. Forensic language analysis aids in conducting effective interview and interrogation sessions. The theory emphasizes on finding better solutions in conducting criminal investigations and analyzing scenes of crime.

The origin of forensic psycholinguistic can be traced to the early 1950s when George Miller, Charles Osgood and other psychologists introduced linguistics to psychological study of language. Early psychologists lacked skills in language leading to an increase in research interests in the field of psycholinguistics. Psycholinguistics applies sociolinguistics which involves the study of language variability. Language variability highlights the social characteristics and language features of an individual.

Differential theory

To a great extent, age determines the choice of words that a person makes. As people grow older, they tend retain their old choice of words than the emerging trendy words, even in unofficial communication. Use of terms like musical gadgets in the place iPods may reveal that the generation in which the criminal was in his youth is the past. In a case whereby a criminal was recorded using an unfamiliar word order in speech, a clue about ethnicity is obtained. For instance, English speakers will use a subject-verb-object order in their statements. A suspect who is a native user of English will be identified if he/she uses this order when using a different language.  This theory is applicable and very efficient when speech, either verbally recorded or written, is available from a list of suspects. The task in this context is to distinguish a single criminal by elimination from the rest using psycholinguistics.

Current application of  forensic  psycholinguistics

Threat assessment, which includes evaluating the exact words used in making threats such as calls and letters, is used to help investigators in determining the offender’s motivation. It also helps in determining character, demographic features, and the menace of the offender in carrying out the threat. Results from the assessment present the investigators with much information on evaluating threats. Identifying the author of the threat message involves an analysis of the stylistic features such as sentence construction, and comparing them to the writing of the suspect. This comparison enables investigators to find out if the suspect authored the threat message (Central 2008).

Statement analysis is used in determining if the suspect is telling the truth or lies to cover the crime. Investigators analyze statements in examining words used by offenders and the omitted information. The investigators then use the words and missing information in coming up with the best approach in conducting an interview. This places an investigator in a good position to determine the truth of the offender’s words and conduct further investigation on the committed crime if a need arises (Central 2008).

In recent times, investigators apply forensic psycholinguistics in investigating suicide notes and studying computer codes (Levy 2008). Suicide notes are examined to whether the deaths could be concealed killings. Such cases occur where husbands kill their wives and conceal the murder by forging a suicide note, and placing it near the dead body. Investigators use their time to study the language of the note and determining the real author of the note. However, this requires carrying out a comprehensive investigation.  Continuous improvement in technology has led to an increased proficiency in computer criminal activities. Criminals break secret computer codes to steal secret information. Investigators are able to identify and pursue the criminals by analyzing computer language in the form of codes.

Law enforcement officers examine all kind of information to come up with solutions on the increase in levels of crime. Analyzing written and spoken language provide a solid background in making correct judgment and convicting the real criminals. Psycholinguistic analysis enables investigators obtain tremendously valuable clues on different crimes and solve them in the most appropriate manner.

Reference

Central, R. (2008). Careers in Forensics. New York: Rosen Publishing Group.

Levy, J. (2008). Careers in Criminal Profiling. New York:
The Rosen Publishing Group.