Linguistic analysis 'aids crime investigation’

Speaking at the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool, Dr Tim Grant, Deputy Director of the Centre for Forensic Linguistics at Aston University, said language analysis could help police with investigations into crimes which involve written evidence, such as documents detailing a terrorist attack.

Dr Grant cited the trial of David Hodgson, who was recently convicted of murdering of his ex-lover Jenny Nicholl.

New technologies have created an anti-social phenomenon of mass anonymity and the ability to identify the writer can only be beneficial for society

Dr TimGrant

Deputy Director

Centre for Forensic Linguistics

Aston University

Linguistic analysis of texts sent from Ms Nicholl's mobile phone revealed they were unlikely to have been written by the victim but showed they had a number of stylistic points typical of Hodgson.

Based on techniques used to quantify similarity between marine ecosystems, Dr Grant's method allows evidence to be based on measurable factors and lessens the need for subjective expert opinion.

He commented: "New technologies have created an anti-social phenomenon of mass anonymity and the ability to identify the writer can only be beneficial for society.

The BA Festival of Science, which runs from September 6th to 11th, will also feature speakers such as Sir David King on Sustainability through Science and Sir Ranulph Fiennes discussing his experiences while exploring.