Forensic linguistics as a tool in the analysis for identifying legal evidence

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63865/temasp.v42n42a5

Keywords:

linguistics, forensic discourse, analysis tool, judicial decisions

Abstract

This text is based on a lecture prepared for the International Forum on Effective Judicial Protection and Trial, with the aim of presenting forensic linguistics as a tool for research and expertise, highlighting some cases analyzed at the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil, as well as the LabJus project, a forensic analysis laboratory still in the conceptual phase. Forensic linguistics is theoretically grounded on examples drawn from discourse analysis performed on a selection of statements by President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva. The concepts of discourse analysis developed by scholars and applied to the forensic field are presented in relation to the study of Brazilian criminal law. Based on fragments focused on the statements of the “enunciator-judge,” we observe a scene of inquisitorial enunciation and an inquisitorial enunciator who attributes investigative rights to himself, constructing an image that Lopes Júnior (2014) calls the judge-author. Consequently, personal marks are imprinted on his discourse that denote his imposing stance, his accusatory point of view, and, through these marks, by assuming authorship of the statement, it is concluded that today any phrase could constitute admissible evidence of “political warfare” in an inquisitorial judgment

References

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Published

2025-12-12

How to Cite

Forensic linguistics as a tool in the analysis for identifying legal evidence. (2025). Temas Procesales Journal, 42, 97-109. https://doi.org/10.63865/temasp.v42n42a5

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