Forensic Linguistics Summary

A quick summary of Forensic Linguistics:

 Summary

• Know what was said and why; what wasn’t said and why.
• All communications are preceded by thought. Everything (said or not said) is the result of a decision.
• Memories are physical-neuron connections (smells, sounds, sights, feelings, etc).
• Telling the truth is easier/less stressful than lying/creating.
• Calibrate to the individual: pace, rhythm, vocabulary, blinking rate, focus, mannerisms, hand movements, etc. An introductory session before the interview is critical to calibrate the individual.
• Partial truths - we learn at an early age (2 - 4 yrs.) to tell partial truths; convince ourselves partial truths = whole truths ≠ lie.
• 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, and change in voice = possible deception.
• Communication Patterns are essential (calibrate); communication pattern changes reveal much information.
• Question structure is very important. Avoid wiggle words; use only mutually-understood words.

The True Meaning of a Message

People often conceal their real message. Understanding the real message requires the listener to calibrate to the subject's communication patterns. A change in that communication pattern may be a clue as to the message's true meaning. For example, the subject may change his/her breathing pattern, speech pattern, word pronunciation, eye movement, handwriting, etc. and that change may signal a change in meaning, a different meaning than the literal meaning of the communication element(s) used. 

To understand the true meaning of communication between two people, the speaker and listener must mutually understand each and every communication element of the message. Each must know what was said and why and what wasn’t said and why not.

Internet Crimes

Report internet crimes to the following:  https://www.ic3.gov.

Walt's Story

Describing my book at a book review in Michigan:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH02H1eyDzo&t=794s