My main research interests are within the area of forensic linguistics. I have particular interest and expertise in forensic authorship analysis focusing on short form messages such as SMS text messages, Twitter posts and Internet Relay Chat. Recent publications in this area include publication in the Journal of Law and Policy and the Journal of Speech Language and the Law.

In addition to this interest in authorship analysis I also am interested in the linguistics of the police interview and how linguists can advise and train police officers to be better interviewers. Recent publications in this area include publication in the Journal of Speech Language and the Law and the Journal of Policing.

My consultancy has largely involved the analysis of abusive and threatening communications in many different contexts including investigations into sexual assault, stalking, murder and terrorism. I’ve extensive experience of providing expert investigative assistance, including a media appeal through the BBC Crimewatch program, and in providing evidence for both prosecution and defence. For more information see the Centre for Forensic Linguistics website.

I have significant experience of working with press, TV and radio and my work has appeared in newspaper feature articles, on the BBC 1 OneShow and on the BBC Radio 4 Programme Word of Mouth. I regularly speak to wider adult and schools audiences at events such as Café Scientifique and the British Festival of Science. I also curate the Language Society and Law blog.

Qualifications and Education

BA Philosophy 
MSc Cognitive Science 
PhD Linguistics - Authorship attribution in a forensic context

Teaching

Undergraduate 
LE1086 Language in Society 
LE2030 Psychology of Language & Communication

Postgraduate 
LEM032 Linguistic Investigation and Evidence 
LEM043 Research Methods
LEM059 Language as Evidence
LEM060 Practical Applications in Forensic Linguistics

Membership of Professional Organisations

• International Association of Forensic Linguists (since 1992)
  • Ethics and Professional Practice Committee (2009-present)
  • Treasurer (2009 - 2011)
• International Investigative Interviewing Research Group (iIIRG)
  • Treasurer (2009 – 2012)
  • Member of Scientific Committee (2008-present)

Publications

• Grant, T 2016, 'Duppying yoots in a dog eat dog world, kmt: determining the senses of slang terms for the Courts' Semiotica, vol. Accepted.
• Grant, T & Macleod, N 2016, 'Assuming identities online: experimental linguistics applied to the policing of online paedophile activity' Applied Linguistics, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 50-70,10.1093/applin/amv079
• Ost, J, Grant, T, Pankhurst, G & Scoboria, A 2015, 'Recall, verbatim memory and remembered narratives' . in G Oxburgh, T Myklebust, T Grant & R Milne (eds),Communication in investigative and legal contexts: integrated approaches from forensic psychology, linguistics and law enforcement.Series in psychology of crime, policing and law, Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 39–54,10.1002/9781118769133.ch3
• Oxburgh, G, Myklebust, T, Grant, T & Milne, R (eds) 2015,Communication in investigative and legal contexts: integrated approaches from forensic psychology, linguistics and law enforcement. Series in psychology of crime, policing and law, Wiley-Blackwell.
• Grant, T, Taylor, J, Oxburgh, GE & Pankhurst, G 2015, 'Exploring types and functions of questions in police interviews' . in G Oxburgh, T Myklebust, T Grant & R Milne (eds),Communication in investigative and legal contexts: integrated approaches from forensic psychology, linguistics and law enforcement.Series in psychology of crime, policing and law, Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 39-54,10.1002/9781118769133.ch2
• Oxburgh, G, Myklebust, T, Grant, T & Milne, R 2015, 'Communication in investigative and legal settings: introduction and contexts' . in G Oxburgh, T Myklebust, T Grant & R Milne (eds),Communication in investigative and legal contexts: integrated approaches from forensic psychology, linguistics and law enforcement.Series in psychology of crime, policing and law, Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 1-13,10.1002/9781118769133.ch1
• Oxburgh, GE, Myklebust, T, Grant, T & Milne, R (eds) 2015,Communication in investigative and legal settings: integrated approaches from forensic psychology, linguistics and law enforcement. Wiley series in the Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law, Wiley-Blackwell.
• Myklebust, T, Grant, T, Milne, R & Oxburgh, GE 2015, 'Communication in forensic contexts: future directions and conclusions' . in G Oxburgh, T Myklebust, T Grant & R Milne (eds),Communication in investigative and legal settings: integrated approaches from forensic psychology, linguistics and law enforcement.Series in the Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law, Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 359-366,10.1002/9781118769133.ch16
• Grant, T & Spaul, K 2015, 'Felicitous consent' . in P Tiersma, L Solan, J Ainsworth & RW Shuy (eds), Speaking of language and law: conversations on the work of Peter Tiersma.vol. (US), Oxford studies in language and law, OUP.
• Nini, A & Grant, T 2013, 'Bridging the gap between stylistic and cognitive approaches to authorship analysis using systemic functional linguistics and multidimensional analysis' International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 173-202,10.1558/ijsll.v20i2.173
• Grant, T 2013, 'TXT 4N6: method, consistency, and distinctiveness in the analysis of sms text messages' Journal of Law and Policy, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 467-494.
• Perkins, R & Grant, T 2013, 'Forensic linguistics' . in JA Siegel & PJ Saukko (eds), Encyclopedia of forensic sciences. 2nd edn, Academic press, pp. 174-177.
• O' Mahony, B, Milne, R & Grant, T 2012, 'To challenge, or not to challenge? Best practice when interviewing vulnerable suspects' Policing, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 301-313,10.1093/police/pas027
• Macleod, N & Grant, T 2012, 'Whose Tweet? Authorship analysis of micro-blogs and other short-form messages' . in S Tomblin, N MacLeod, R Sousa-Silva & M Coulthard (eds), Proceedings of the International Association of Forensic Linguists’ tenth biennial conference. Aston University, pp. 210-224, 10th biennial conference International Association of Forensic Linguists, Birmingham, United Kingdom, 11-14 July.
• Sousa Silva, R, Laboreiro, G, Sarmento, L, Grant, T, Olivera, E & Maia, B 2011, '' twazn me!!! ;)' automatic authorship analysis of micro-blogging messages' . in R Muñoz, A Montoyo & E Métais (eds), Natural language processing and information systems: 16th international conference on applications of natural language to information system, NLBD 2011 : Alicante, Spain, June 2011, proceedings. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, no. 6716, Springer, Heidelberg (DE), pp. 161-168, 16th international conference on applications of natural language to information system, Alicante, Spain, 28-30 June.
• Oxburgh, GE, Myklebust, T & Grant, TD 2010, 'The question of question types in police interviews: a review of the literature from a psychological and linguistic perspective' International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 45-66,10.1558/ijsll.v17i1.45
• Grant, TD 2010, 'Forensic linguistics and the delivery of justice' . in K Richards (ed.), The new optimists: scientists view tomorrow' s world and what it means to us. Linus, Birmingham.
• Grant, TD 2010, 'Text messaging forensics : Txt 4n6: idiolect free authorship analysis?' . in M Coulthard & A Johnson (eds), The Routledge handbook of forensic linguistics. Routledge Handbooks in Applied Linguistics, Routledge, pp. 508-522,10.4324/9780203855607.ch33
• Sousa Silva, R, Grant, T & Maia, B 2010, '“I didn’t mean to steal someone else’s words!”: a forensic linguistic approach to detecting intentional plagiarism' Paper presented at 4th International Plagiarism Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,21/06/10 -23/06/10 , .
• Coulthard, M, Grant, T & Kredens, K 2009, 'Forensic linguistics' . in R Wodak, B Johnstone & PE Kerswill (eds), Sage Handbook of Sociolinguistics. Sage.
• Hammond, CJ, Bond, JW & Grant, TD 2009, 'The effects of substance use on offender crime scene behavior' Science and Justice, vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 376-381,10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00974.x
• Tonkin, M, Grant, TD & Bond, JW 2008, 'To link or not to link: a test of the case linkage principles using serial car theft data' Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, vol. 5, no. 1-2, pp. 58-77,10.1002/jip.74
• Grant, TD 2008, 'Approaching questions in forensic authorship analysis' . in J Gibbons & MT Turell (eds), Dimensions of Forensic Linguistics. John Benjamins, Amsterdam (NL).
• Norton, R & Grant, TD 2008, 'Rape myth in true and false rape allegations' Psychology, Crime and Law, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 275-285,10.1080/10683160701770286
• Sheridan, LP & Grant, TD 2007, 'Is cyberstalking different?' Psychology, Crime and Law, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 627-640,10.1080/10683160701340528
• Grant, TD & Woodhams, J 2007, 'Rape as social activity: an application of investigative linguistics' . in J Cotterill (ed.), The Language of Sexual Crimes. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingsoke, pp. 5-22.
• Grant, TD 2007, 'Forensic linguistics for forensic psychologists: a brief introduction' Forensic Update, pp. 25-28.
• Woodhams, J, Grant, TD & Price, ARG 2007, 'From marine ecology to crime analysis: improving the detection of serial sexual offences using a taxonomic similarity measure' Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 17-27,10.1002/jip.55
• Westerberg, K, Grant, TD & Bond, JW 2007, 'Triangulation mobility of auto-theft offenders' Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 109-120,10.1002/jip.69
• Woodhams, J, Gillett, R & Grant, TD 2007, 'Understanding the factors that affect the severity of juvenile stranger sex offenses' Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 218-237,10.1177/0886260506295349
• Grant, TD 2007, 'Quantifying evidence for forensic authorship analysis' International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1-25.
• Grant, TD 2006, 'Identifying the origins of evidential texts' . in A Heaton-Armstrong, E Shepherd, GH Gudjonsson & D Wolchover (eds), Witness Testimony: Psychological, Investigative and Evidential Perspectives. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 263-276.
• Woodhams, J & Grant, TD 2006, 'Developing a categorisation system for rapists' speech' Psychology, Crime and Law, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 245-260,10.1080/10683160500151134
• Boyd, E & Grant, TD 2006, 'Is gender a factor in perceived prison officer competence?' Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 65-79,10.1002/cbm.37
• Grant, TD & Dajee, K 2003, 'Types of task, types of audience, types of actor: interactions between mere presence and personality type in a simple mathematical task' Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 633-639,10.1016/S0191-8869(02)00241-6
• Grant, TD & Baker, KL 2001, 'Identifying reliable, valid markers of authorship: a response to Chaski' International Journal of Speech, Language and the Law, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 66-79.

Projects

• Understanding Viral Messaging - Phase 3
• Understanding Viral Messaging - Phase 2
• Prioritising online investigations
• Festival of Social Science - Current Trends in Forensic Linguistics
• Assuming Identities Online: description, development and ethical implications (AIO)
• Linguistic Aspects of Pro Se Litigation - PRO SE LANG
• Curriculum Innovation: Integrating QM into undergraduate programmes in Linguistics in the School of Languages and Social Sciences, Aston University

Cases

• 2013 - R v Jamie Starbuck [Nottinghamshire Police]

Jamie Starbuck was suspected of having murdered his wife, Debbie Starbuck, and then, on a round the world trip, sending emails home in her name.

I provided an evidential report identifying the date on which emails from Debbie Starbuck’s account shifted to be consistent with his written style. The report was initially intended to be used to apply for an international arrest warrant but Jamie Starbuck was arrested on arrival home and pleaded guilty.

• 2012 - Child sexual assault case [West Mercia Police]

In an interview with a child in a sexual assault case the child used sexual slang unfamiliar to her parents. The defence tried to have the interview not admitted on the grounds that the terms were unclear. I provided evidence that the slang terms were well established within a particular social community and had clear and specific meanings. The defence accepted my evidence and allowed the interview to be admitted.

• 2010 - Race Hate Letter campaign [Hampshire Police Enquiry with involvement from National Domestic Extremism Team]

I provided a profile of a writer of around 60 racially and sexually abusive letters. I also gave advice on and appeared as part of a media appeal through the BBC Crimewatch programme. The media appeal led to a successful detection and the offender matched my profile.

• 2009 - R v Christopher Birks [Staffordshire police: Murder enquiry]

Christopher Birks was suspected of having murdered his wife Amanda Birks, who’s body was recovered from a house fire on late in the evening of 17 January 2009. My evidence showed that SMS text messages sent from Amanda’s phone during the day of the 17th were written in a style consistent with that of Christopher Birks and inconsistent with Amanda Birks’ previous texting style. Christopher Birks pleaded guilty on morning of trial and received 19 years imprisonment.

• 2009 - R v Ogundele [Metropolitan Police: Conspiracy to murder]

Ogundele and his co-conspirator Jolie planned to attack and kill Jolie’s previous girlfriend. The conspiracy was carried out on internet relay chat and used a high degree of East London street slang combined with internet abbreviations and slang. I provided a ‘translation’ into standard English for use in the Court case held at the Old Bailey. Ogundlee and Jolie were both convicted and received 18 and 14 years respectively.

Click here to read an article featured in the Independent about the case and the evidence assembled by Dr Tim Grant. 

Media and Talks

• 16th April 2013 – appearance on BBC 1 the One Show about text messaging forensics 
• 11th April 2013 – Invited talk to Lichfield Science Society – Investigative linguistics as forensic Science 
• 1st Feb 2013 – Invited University of Lund, Sweden - Forensic linguistic analysis and synthesis 
• 3rd July 2012 – Talk to SOCA’s Specialist Operations Centre - Forensic linguistics as an investigative tool 
• 11th October 2012 – Invited talk to Brooklyn Law School’s Symposium on Forensic Authorship Attribution 
• 6th March 2012 – Talk to eMagzine 6th form conference – Forensic applications of language analysis 
• 25th October 2010 – Talk to CEPOL (European Union College of policing) – Using forensic linguistics in investigations 
• 15th April 2010 – Interview on Election manifesto language on BBC1 The Heckler 
• 27th January 2010 – Article on slang case in Independent newspaper 
• 15th December 2009 – Interview on BBC Radio 4 Word of Mouth on Forensic linguistics and cases 
• 2nd February 2009 – Article on forensic linguistics Haaretz newspaper Israel 
• 8th September 2008 – British Science Association Joseph Lister Prize Lecture – Txt crimes, sex crimes and murder. 

http://www.aston.ac.uk/lss/staff-directory/grantt/

Solving Crimes with Linguistics

Aston’s forensic linguistic expert to appear on BBC’s Crimewatch UK

Tim Grant

Forensic Section - School of Psychology
University of Leicester,
Leicester, LE1 7RB,
England.
Tel: 0116 252 3658
Fax: 0116 252 3994
Email: TG21@leicester.ac.uk

Teaching

My primary teaching responsibility is on the distance learning MSc courses in Applied Forensic Psychology and Forensic and Legal Psychology for further details please go here.

Research

Forensic Authorship Attribution

My main research area is Forensic Authorship Attribution and this is the subject of my PhD due for submission Autumn 2002.

This was the subject of my MSc thesis

Grant, T. D. (1992). Evaluation of the CUSUM Method for the Attribution of Authorship in a Forensic Context. Unpublished MSc, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.

and I have also have a few publications and presentations in the area:

Grant, T. D., & Baker, K. L. (2001). Identifying reliable, valid markers of authorship: a response to Chaski. Forensic Linguistics: The International Journal of Speech Language and the Law, 8(1), 66 - 79. (Prepublication offprint)

Grant, T. D. (2001). Reviewing and Revising Stylometric Authorship Attribution for use in a Forensic Context. Paper presented at the International Association of Forensic Linguistics 5th Biennial Conference, University of Malta

Grant, T.D. (2002) [Review of the book Foster, D (2001) Author unknown: on the trail of anonymous (2nd ed.)] Forensic Linguistics: The International Journal of Speech Language and the Law 9(1),119 - 121 (Prepublication offprint)

Other research includes:

Grant, T.D. & Dajee, K. (November 2002 status: In Press) Types of task, types of audience, types of actor. Interactions between mere presence and personality type in a sample mathematical task. Personality and Individual Differences (Prepublication offprint)

Tim Grant's Home Page:http://www.grant-family.org/tim_home.html