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2023 FBINA National Convention in Denver, CO

I'm honored to be speaking at the 2023 FBI National Academy Annual Training Conference in Denver, CO.               July 29 - August 1, 2023

 

Understanding Communication

Joe Koenig, MPA, CFE and Forensic Linguist, KMI Investigations, LLC; Michigan State Police (Retired); FBINA Graduate Session 122
1.5 hours education credit

Understanding Communication is a critical and very difficult, complex process. We learn at an early age to listen to what people say, not what they didn’t say, or what they really mean. Using Forensic Linguistics we will break down the communication process and help the attendee better understand what is really being communicated, what isn’t, and why. Precise and accurate communication results in better, factual, and more ethical decision making. The process includes asking the right question, the right way, at the right time. Equally important is the minimization of contamination.

Contamination is anything that affects communication. Questions contaminate. The number of interviewers contaminates. Interview locations contaminate. Even the absence of contamination contaminates.

Attendees will learn the skills necessary to understand the communication process through lecture and real-life examples, preparing them to become better communicators and ethical decision-makers.

Joe Koenig, a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Forensic Linguist (court certified Expert Witness for Interviewing & Interrogation), retired from the Michigan State Police after 26 years and has 50+ years of investigative experience in both the public and private sectors. He is the award-winning author of the books, “Getting the Truth,” and the 2019 "Getting the Truth: I am D.B. Cooper.” He was lead investigator on the James R. Hoffa case, and investigated homicides, organized crime, financial crimes, narcotics, and public corruption. Forensic Linguistics uses communication elements as evidence.

Joe is Past President of the Michigan FBI National Academy Associates, a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), holds a BS in Accounting from Wayne State University, and a Masters in Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He now owns and operates KMI Investigations in Michigan specializing in financial fraud investigations and Forensic Linguistics.

 

 

Alex Murdaugh

In Forensic Linguistics we look at what was said and what wasn’t, and why. In the Alex Murdaugh case we know what was said and we’re all assessing whether he is lying about killing his wife and son. Let’s look at what wasn’t said. 

 

Surviving family members want to know what happened, who killed their loved ones. It is inconsistent to impede the investigation by lying about when you last saw your loved ones alive. The time the homicides occurs is critical information in helping to determine what happened and who committed the homicides. 

 

In the OJ Simpson case, look at how OJ answered the very precision-seeking question from Detective VanAtter, “Yeah. When was the last time you saw Nicole?” A: “We were leaving a dance recital…” VanAtter was looking for a precise time, a snapshot, and OJ responded with an imprecise response, a movie (“We were leaving …”). 

 

Screenshot 2023 02 25 at 10.37.58 AM

 

Truth-tellers want the investigators to know the truth; the killer doesn’t.

 

 

Forensic Linguistics - What is It?

Forensic Linguistics

  • Know what was said and why; what wasn’t said and why.
  • All communications preceded by thought. Everything said or not said is a decision.
  • Memories are physical - neuron connections (smells, sounds, sights, feelings, etc). 
  • Telling the truth is easier than lying/creating. 
  • Calibrate to the individual: pace, rhythm, vocabulary, blinking rate, focus, mannerisms, hand movements, etc. Introductory session prior to interview is very important.
  • Partial truths - we learn at an early age to tell partial truths; convince ourselves partial truths = whole truths (misleading)
  • If you tell me something knowing it is misleading, is that telling the truth?
  • Everything contaminates - even questions.
  • A person can be truthful and not factual.
  • Pronouns reveal ..  My daughter vs. My other daughter vs. My youngest daughter.
  • Denials. “I deny … ≠ a denial; “I didn’t do it.” = a denial.
  • Past tense, active voice = credible for a past event. Passive voice, present tense, change in voice = possible deception.
  • Patterns are important (calibrate); change of patterns is most important.
  • Question structure very important. Avoid wiggle words; use only words mutually understood.

More Articles ...

  1. Another Poor Denial
  2. Contamination
  3. Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving
  4. Puget Sound Investigators Presentation

 

".. unlocking the secrets of communication." - buy Mr. Koenig's autographed books at BOOKSTORE.

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