Forensic Linguistics

Reviews / Votes

Whether one is a legal language researcher, academic, and/or practitioner, Forensic Linguistics (4th Edition), continues its ongoing relevance as one of the seminal publications in our field. Its demonstrably knowledgeable authors relate not just information regarding the history and science of forensic linguistics, but also the laws governing it, applicable empirical research findings, and ideal social justice objectives in its real world usage. Most important to me, however, is the referenced practical applications, i.e., the how-to of working a language analysis case from beginning to end. This includes dozens of actual forensic linguistic case examples designed to further the reader's comprehension of taking a language-related matter before the courts. If one is, in fact, analyzing these matters, of any sort, as a member of law enforcement, a prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney, or in any aspect in the criminal/civil justice system involving spoken or written language, this book is a must read. * James R. Fitzgerald, MS, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI (Ret.), Associate Professor of Forensic Linguistics Pennsylvania Western University (2019-2025), USA * A thorough and well-structured introduction to forensic linguistics, this fourth edition covers the field's core areas with notable range: from authorship analysis and forensic phonetics to cybercrime and courtroom discourse. The integration of real-world case materials, practical exercises and theoretical grounding makes it an accessible and reliable resource for students and practitioners alike. What sets this book apart is its international scope, drawing on cases across multiple jurisdictions, and its attention to social justice, including vulnerable witnesses, asylum seekers and non-native speakers. A valuable and timely contribution to the field. * Julia Kupper, Tactical Linguist, USA *