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 …”). 

 

 

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