WEEK 10: SUMMARY AND REFLECTION ON FORENSIC LINGUISTICS

SUMMARY ON FORENSIC LINGUISTICS from afiqah rosa khadijah awatif

REFLECTION ON FORENSIC LINGUISTICS

Forensic linguistics have become one of the branches in crime investigation. Experts in language are needed in this field since in involves the knowledge of linguistics such as stylistics, discourse analysis, phonetics and sociolinguistics. Although forensics linguistics might not be seen as important as the forensic science, it actually contributes a lot in solving criminal crimes. It can be proven through some of the cases mentioned in class that open our eyes on the need of forensic linguistics. Besides, language is being used every day. Criminals also use language. Hence, it is the job of forensic linguists in analyzing the idiosyncrasy of the people involves in crimes by looking into the language pattern in any text or spoken language. Linguist might be able to identify the status or background of the criminals through the pattern used. In the meantime, by investigating the daily interactions or language used by a person, we can identify his/her personality and characteristics. 

For instance, linguistics knowledge can help us to detect the psychological states and behavior of a person, hence, will help in criminal investigations. Besides the normal crime, forensic linguistics can also solve the increasing numbers of cyber crimes. Cyber crimes involve plagiarism, copyright infringement, threat and harassment through the internet. Thus, linguist can use their knowledge to analyze the linguistic evidences in internet. In our opinion, forensic linguistic is an interesting field of study which can help to reduce the burden of people who involve in criminal investigations. Thus, as linguistic students we need to help forensic linguistics to be more recognized and established. 

Forensic linguistics is undeniable one remarkable field of study that promotes justice. In Islamic point of view, forensic linguistics can be viewed as a medium to encourage fairness in our everyday life. As we all know, Islam stresses on the important to be just on others since the dawn of man as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an,

"Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids indecency and abomination and wickedness". (An-Nahl, 16:90).

As Muslims, we have been taught to uphold righteousness in our everyday life. It is our duty as the Khalifah of Allah s.w.t to do justice as stated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), 

"For every day on which the sun rises, there is a (reward) for the one who establishes justice among people." Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadith 870.

 Justice has been an important concern in human history especially in crime. What is to be done when an injustice is committed? When a crime or offense like raped or murdered is committed one of the ways to solve it for both the victim and the offender is through forensic linguistics. Therefore, forensic linguistics is not only an important component in solving crime but also in social life as it could guarantee peace.