Forensic linguistics, as you may imagine, relates to the study and analysis of language patterns with regard to crime and other law.

Forensic linguistics has been applied to the letter of the law, that is, examining the original Norman or Latin from which modern English is derived, in order to interpret or challenge said laws. Linguistics can also be used during the court process to assess and challenge the other lawyer, witness and police statements, police interviews and their wording, etc.

Other uses of forensic linguistics include -

• proving plagiarism of written work
• questioning the interpretation of language
• trademark disputes
• proving authorship of anonymous letters
• determining the origin of asylum seekers

Further topics on forensic linguistics will include a look at how the science has upturned the conviction of an innocent man who was hung based purely on police interview evidence and, conversely, how forensic linguistics has been the determining factor in the prosecution of some suspects.