LINGUIST List 15.914

Thu Mar 18 2004

Books: Forensic Linguistics: Olsson

Editor for this issue: Neil Salmond <neillinguistlist.org>

Directory

1. ksayers, Forensic Linguistics: Olsson

Title: Forensic Linguistics
Subtitle: An Introduction to Language, Crime and the Law

Publication Year: 2004
Publisher:	Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd
		http://www.continuumbooks.com

Author: John Olsson, Nebraska Wesleyan University

Paperback: ISBN: 0826461093, Pages: 288, Price: U.K. � 19.99

			
Abstract:

The book is intended to be the core text for forensic linguistic
courses at undergraduate level, and the key text for postgraduate
research students wishing to gain an overall grasp of the subject.
The author has based his text on his personal experience as a
practising forensic linguist working with lawyers, police and private
clients in Britain and the United States.

Forensic Linguistics contains detailed studies of all the major areas
of the discipline, including the detection of plagiarism, the
observation of style change, and an analysis of all of the most
important types of forensic text, including ransom demands, suicide
notes, hate mail, smear mail, trick mail, and terrorist mail. Perhaps
one of the greatest assets of the book is its discussion of specific
forensic texts including the 'stalker text' from John Hinkley, an
excerpt from the Unabomber case, several 17th century Salem witch
trial 'confessions', Susan Smith's confession, and ransom notes from
the Lindbergh kidnapping and Carlos the Jackal's ransom demand at
Vienna.

Olsson's main focus is on how forensic linguistics can be of use to
law enforcement and criminal justice professionals at the
investigation level. This makes the book uniquely authoritative,
giving it a practical 'hands-on' appeal to linguists and non-linguists
alike. Olsson has worked on civil cases in the UK involving forensic
linguistics, and his methods have been quoted in a grand jury hearing
in the United States.


Lingfield(s):	Forensic Linguistics
		
Written In:	English (Language Code: ENG)


 See this book announcement on our website:
 http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=9432.