Approaching forensic linguistics: Research models and applications

Abstract

Abstract: The article approaches forensic linguistics as an interdisciplinary branch of applied
linguistics, examining how language and other semiotic resources operate in legal and judicial
contexts. Building on an overview of the field’s development and its three major subfields, it
analyses four prominent research models: (1) discourse analysis of legal texts and interactions, (2)
stylometric measurement combined with contrastive linguistics for authorship attribution, (3)
acoustic–spectral analysis for voice and speaker identification, and (4) visual grammar in the
examination of documents and digital communication. Each model is illustrated through examples
and potential applications in criminal investigation, dispute resolution, and evidence authentication.
The article further argues that these models can be pedagogically adapted to support the teaching and
learning of forensic linguistics in Vietnam, helping learners to connect theoretical foundations with
practical analytical skills that are relevant to legal and forensic settings.
Key words: acoustic–spectral analysis; forensic linguistics; legal discourse analysis; stylometric
measurement; visual grammar.