Linguistics
A famous case in 1927 involved a ransom note addressed to Duncan McLure, a spelling of the last name used only by that individual. Authorities thought it odd that a random kidnapper would know that he spelled the last name differently than the rest of his family did. Is this a use of forensic linguistics?
Yes
Would two features of handwriting be sufficient to individualize a person?
Roughly how much US currency is currently in circulation?
$2 Trillion
Linguistics is often used to establish author identification. Was this the case with the Unabomber?
Yes, linguistics was used to establish the identity of the unabomber.
illuminate the specimen
magnify the specimen
How many linguistic characteristics are sufficient to establish individualization?
Many, across significant writings. Each particular spelling or phrasing or other characteristic is not individualizing in and of itself. It is suggestive and can be helpful, but it is the totality of many linguistic characteristics that establishes author identification.
Why would you want multiple baseline handwriting samples?
The person does not write identically each time. However, certain individualizing features will be repeated each time. Therefore multiple iterations of a baseline sample allow analysts to define features that the person repeats whenever they write.
What is microprinting?
It is a security feature of words in extremely small font. Cutting the engraving plates with enough precision to create microprinting is a security feature, as it is difficult to replicate.
What is a blockchain?
It is a technology that allows for permanent records of all transactions for a particular asset or currency to be created across many access points simultaneously. In essence, it effectively removes the possibility for manipulation, and therefore provides confidence in the integrity of the price of the asset or currency based on supply and demand (actual transactions).
What was suspicious about the claim of OneLife that they had a private blockchain?
The point of the blockchain is that all transactions are visible to participants (records are created across many access points simultaneously to avoid manipulation). Not having access to the transaction record defeats the purpose of a blockchain.
Linguistically analyze the following passage:
"Being persons, then, women are citizens; and no State has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities. Hence, every discrimination against women in the constitutions and laws of the several States is today null and void"
Multiple possibilities
What was the point of all students using the same pens during the handwriting lab?
We wanted to isolate the handwriting, meaning we wanted any differences in the appearance of what is written to be due to the handwriting and not to the pen or the paper.
What is optically variable ink?
Ink that changes color depending upon the angle at which light hits the ink and the angle at which the ink is viewed by the observer.
What was unique about the Unabomber case from the perspective of the warrant issued?
It was the first case in which a federal warrant had been issued based solely on linguistic evidence.
What lifestyle factors are authorities keying on in trying to locate Ruja Ignatova?
Dress expensively, including in diamond jewelry
Eat at expensive restaurants (the eyewitnesses that state they saw her in Athens worked at an expensive restaurant and claim she ate there).
Move in expensive cars and boats
Travel with a group of bodyguards
Be comfortable speaking a variety of languages
Be very close to her family members, such that the concept of her never communicating with them again seems unlikely.
Provide linguistic analysis of the following passage:
"It will be all the easier for us to conduct ourselves as belligerents in a high spirit of right and fairness because we act without animus, not in enmity toward a people or with the desire to bring any injury or disadvantage upon them, but only in [...] opposition to an irresponsible government which has thrown aside all considerations of humanity and of right and is running amuck."
Multiple possibilities
What are the three handwriting styles called? What differs among them?
block, script, and cursive
block = all caps, letters in a word unconnected
script = blend of upper and lower case, letters in a word unconnected
cursive = blend of upper and lower case, letters in a word connected
Describe the difference between a security fiber and a security strip.
A security fiber is a small red or blue fiber which is affixed to the paper in various places throughout the note.
A security thread is a clear thread embedded vertically in the paper of all Federal Reserve Notes other than $1 and $2 notes. The location of the thread is specific for the denomination of the note, which differs from the random locations of the fibers.
What items of linguistic evidence allowed authorities to discern that the Unabomber had grown up in Chicago reading specific Chicago newspapers?
The spellings of certain words were technically correct but rare spellings that had been seen in Chicago newspapers in the 30's, 40's, and 50's.
What is the most frequent thing document examiners are asked to do?
Do philosophy and tone count as genuine linguistic characteristics that can aid in author identification?
Yes
Other than style, describe THREE features that can be seen as individualizing characteristics of handwriting?
Describe one location on the Next Generation Passport that contains the Passport Number.
Upper right corner, horizontally, in small type.
Perforated along right edge, vertically.
Lower left corner, in small type, horizontally.
What criminal record did Ruja Ignatova have, while still being able to successfully market OneCoin?
She was convicted in 2016 in Germany of fraud, embezzlement, withholding of wages from workers, etc.
(A US Federal warrant over the OneCoin scheme was not issued until October of 2017)
What does vertical lettering refer to with respect to handwriting?
letters that do not slope to the right or left.