The Idea of Progress in Forensic Authorship Analysis

by Tim Grant

This Element examines progress in research and practice in forensic authorship analysis. It describes the existing research base and examines what makes an authorship analysis more or less reliable. Further to this, the author describes the recent history of forensic science and the scientific revolution brought about by the invention of DNA evidence. They chart the rise of three major changes in forensic science – the recognition of contextual bias in analysts, the need for validation studies and shift in logic of providing identification evidence. This Element addresses the idea of progress in forensic authorship analysis in terms of these three issues with regard to new knowledge about the nature of authorship and methods in stylistics and stylometry. The author proposes that the focus needs to shift to validation of protocols for approaching case questions, rather than on validation of systems or general approaches. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 19, 2022

Reviews

[Steve Dewey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful introduction to the techniques and methodological problems of forensic authorship analysis. Enough to whet your appetite, not so long to overwhelm.

[Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grant begins with an exploration of the history of forensic authorship analysis, rooting it in the seminal work of Jan Svartvik's 1968 early study of The Evans' Statement. Svartvik's analysis revealed linguistic anomalies indicative of fabrication, which then paved the way for subsequent developments. Later, Malcolm Coulthard’s corpus-based analyses, significantly further advanced the field by introducing statistical tools to evaluate authorship. One of the high-profile historical cases, such as the Birmingham Six appeals, illustrate the utility of forensic authorship analysis in legal contexts. The methodological shift from qualitative analysis to corpus-based quantitative methods reflects progress not only in accuracy but also in scientific rigour.

A central theme in the book is the idea of "progress" as a contested and complex notion. Drawing on Thomas Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions, Grant observes that the field has experienced paradigm shifts, moving from ad hoc techniques to systematic approaches involving stylometry and validation studies. He argues, "We need to consider issues of utility of basic understandings about the nature of authorship... and the demonstrability of results." Grant critiques the lack of robust validation frameworks for existing methodologies, asserting that forensic authorship analysis often relies on assumptions about linguistic patterns without sufficiently testing their reliability across diverse contexts. For instance, he discusses the limitations of relying solely on stylistic features, as these may vary significantly due to situational factors.

The prologue about Grant's involvement in the Dhiren Barot case, where he acknowledges the flaws in his initial approach due to time constraints and lack of experience. Similarly, the analysis of Theodore Kaczynski's (the Unabomber) writings showcases how forensic linguistics can provide compelling evidence, as seen in the comparative analysis of the manifesto and Kaczynski's personal letters. Grant highlights that while such cases demonstrate the potential of authorship analysis, they also expose the challenges of ensuring admissibility and scientific robustness in court.