Description
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. Features -
The first accessible book of its kind, written by the senior figure in forensic linguistics -
The book contains 11 conversational strategies used in 12 actual criminal cases -
The author has aided the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in various impeachment proceedings, and has deliberated on some 500 cases in 26 states. Reviews
"Creating Language Crimes is an unusual, intriguing, and important book written by a pioneer in the area of language and the law...[it] reads smoothly and contains a wealth of real-life experiences and details; it is clear that Shuy speaks from great personal experience and authority on this topic."--Heidi E. Hamilton, Associate Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Georgetown University
"A significant contribution to the rapidly growing field of forensic linguistics. It is also highly accessible to students who have demonstrated increasing interest in the field in recent years. The author's qualifications are superb. Shuy has, during his career, conducted analysis in hundreds of legal cases and testified in many of those cases. He is highly sought after as a consultant, an expert witness, as well as a speaker."--Bethany K. Dumas, Professor of English, University of Tennessee Product Details
208 pages; 5-1/2 x 8-1/4; 0-19-518166-2 About the Author(s)
Roger W. Shuy is Distinguished Research Professor of Linguistics, Emeritus, at Georgetown University. He is also president of Roger W. Shuy, Inc. in Missoula, Montana, founded in 1982 and specializing in linguistic services to attorneys in criminal and civil cases. Table of Contents
Part I: Crimes, Conversational Strategies and Language Power
1. How Language Crimes Are Created
2. Conversational Strategies Used to Create Crimes
3. The Power of Conversational Strategies Part II: Uses by Cooperating Witnesses
4. Overlapping and Ambiguity
5. Retelling, Scripting, and Lying
6. Blocking and Lying
7. Ambiguities that Lead to Fraud
8. Discourse Ambiguity
9. Contamination and Manipulating Tapes
10. Scripting by Directives and Apologies Part III: Uses by Law Enforcement Officers
11. Camouflaging (Obstruction of Justice Case)
12. Camouflaging (Purchasing Stolen Property Case)
13. A Rogue Cop
14. Police Tactics that Solicitate Answers
15. Manipulating Tapes Part IV: Conversational Strategies as Evidence
16. Questions about Conversational Strategies
References Cited
Cases Cited
Index Book URL: http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/?view=usa&ci=0195181662
LINGUIST List 16.2441
Mon Aug 22 2005
Books: Forensic Linguistics: Shuy
Editor for this issue: Megan Zdrojkowski <meganlinguistlist.org> Message 1: Creating Language Crimes: Shuy
Date: 17-Aug-2005
From: Jared Wright <jared.wrightoup.com>
Subject: Creating Language Crimes: Shuy Title: Creating Language Crimes
Subtitle: How Law Enforcement Uses (and Misuses) Language
Publication Year: 2005
Publisher: Oxford University Press
http://www.oup.com/us
Book URL: http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/?view=usa&ci=0195181662
Author: Roger Shuy, Georgetown University
Hardback: ISBN: 0195181662 Pages: 208 Price: U.S. $ 29.95 Abstract:
This book illustrates how linguistic analysis of undercover tape recordings made by law enforcement can help defense attorneys, law enforcement officers, judges, and juries better understand the effects of conversational strategies used to give the appearance of criminal activity. If only the appearance of such crime is created, law enforcement has not reached its evidentiary goal. Eleven conversational strategies were used in the twelve actual criminal cases described in this book. Linguistic Field(s): Forensic Linguistics Written In: English (ENG) See this book announcement on our website:
http://linguistlist.org/get-book.html?BookID=16065 
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