Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Linguistics

Crime Scene Investigation and Forensic Linguistics bridges the gap between language and law, offering a unique and accessible introduction to two critical fields in modern criminal justice. Designed for students, professionals, and curious readers alike, this textbook explores how crimes are investigated—from securing a scene to analyzing linguistic evidence.

The first half of the book introduces the foundations of linguistics and forensic linguistic analysis, showing how language can be used to uncover truth in legal contexts. Topics include authorship attribution, language crimes, cyber investigations, and the role of linguistic patterns in identifying suspects and supporting courtroom testimony.

The second half turns to crime scene investigation, guiding readers through evidence collection, documentation, preservation techniques, and advanced investigative tools. Real-life case studies, including the Unabomber and digital crime analysis, illustrate how science and language work together to solve complex crimes.

With reflective questions, chapter summaries, and practical insights throughout, this book provides a comprehensive yet approachable guide to two rapidly growing areas of forensic science. Whether you’re pursuing a career in law enforcement, linguistics, or criminology, this text offers the tools to better understand how justice is shaped at the intersection of words and evidence.