Creating Language Crimes

This book by Roger W. Shuy the senior figure in forensic linguistics is the first to explain in an accessible way the vital role that linguistic evidence and its proper analysis play in criminal investigations.Shuy provides compelling case studies of how language functions in investigations involving among others wired undercover operatives and the interrogation of suspects. He makes the point that language evidence can be as important as physical evidence but yet does not enjoy the same degree of scrutiny by investigators attorneys and the courts. Beyond this however his more controversial thesis is that police frequently misuse or manipulate language using various powerful controversial strategies in order to intentionally create an impression of the targets'' guilt or even to get them to confess.This book makes its case by analyzing a dozen criminal cases involving a variety of crimes such as fraud bribery stolen property murder and others. About half involve co-operating witnesses who do the tape recording and the other half undercover police officers. These cases demonstrate how undercover operatives use different conversational strategies such as overlapping conversation ambiguity interruption refusing to take no for an answer and others to create a negative impression of the targets on later listeners.Creating Language Crimes provides a fascinating window into a little-known and discussed facet of law enforcement. It will appeal to anyone concerned with language (particularly sociolinguists and discourse analysts) as well as to those involved in law enforcement and criminal cases.