This episode is about the New York Times, a high reputation paper of record in the Untied States, and how in theearly 2000s they came to publish a series of articles, which turned out to be plagiarised or untrue. Together with Professor Jack Grieve, from the University of Birmingham, our hosts Nicci and Tim take a look at how a linguistic approach to detecting fake news can make a difference.
For a list of our sources and more information about this case, please visit https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it duringan upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
Production Team:
Angela Walker, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound:Angela Walker
Visual design:
George Grant
Additional Voices:
Angela Walker
With our thanks to Professor Jack Grieve
Professor Tim Grant’s home page:
Tim Grant - Aston Research Explorer
Dr Nicci MacLeod’s home page:
Nicci MacLeod - Aston Research Explorer
Professor Jack Grieve’s home page:
Professor Jack Grieve - Department ofLinguistics and Communication - University of Birmingham
Link to the book: The Language of Fake News
* Warning: This episode contains descriptions of gun violence, murder and capital punishment. *
In this first episode of a two-part case, Nicci and Tim discuss Derek Bentley’s story and the miscarriages of justice that occurred when he was found guilty of murder and received the death penalty.
Focusing on two different meaning ambiguities, our hosts explore 1) the alleged statement Derek made (‘Let him have it, Chris’) after which a police officer was shot, and 2) the legal vs. ordinary meaning of ‘to be held’, as it played a role in Derek’s failed appeal.
For a list of our sources and more information about this case, please visit https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook
Resources
Professor Tim Grant’s home page: Tim Grant - Aston Research Explorer
Dr Nicci MacLeod’s home page: Nicci MacLeod - Aston Research Explorer
‘Let him have it’ movie on Amazon Prime UK: Watch Let Him Have It | Prime Video
* Warning: This episode contains descriptions of the killing of a police officer and the death penalty. *
STOP! If you haven’t listened to part one of this case, go back and listen before starting this episode.
Last time, Nicci and Tim explored the language around the custodial status of Derek Bentley, who was one of the last people to be hanged as criminal punishment in the UK in 1953.
In part 2, we welcome Prof Malcolm Coulthard, Professor Emeritus here at Aston University, one of the founders of AIFL (Center for Forensic Linguistics at the time), and granddaddy of forensic linguistics. Prof Coulthard joins Nicci and Tim to further unpack the case, this time focusing on the alleged confession Bentley gave the morning following the crime in question. Like Timothy Evans in series 1, it was unclear whether Derek Bentley had truly penned the written confession later given as evidence in court.
For a list of our sources and more information about this case, please visit https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Additional Editing: Angela Walker
Sound: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook
With our thanks to Professor Malcolm Couthard
Resources
Professor Tim Grant’s home page: Tim Grant - Aston Research Explorer
Dr Nicci MacLeod’s home page: Nicci MacLeod - Aston Research Explorer
Professor Malcolm Coulthard’s research gate profile: Malcolm Coulthard – Research Gate
Writing Wrongs Live!
Come and be part of the Writing Wrongs Live! show 4pm- 6pm 22nd October at the Steelhouse Lane Lockup
Free tickets are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wrongs-live-tickets-1520150794949
*Warning: this episode contains potentially distressing discussions*
In the series finale, Nicci and Tim answer some of the questions that you have been sending in over the course of Series 1.
From general questions about forensic linguistics to a deep dive into past episodes, we will be reviewing what Series 1 has been about.
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Production Team: Angela Walker, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound: Angela Walker
Visual design: George Grant
Professor Tim Grant’s home page: Tim Grant - Aston Research Explorer
Dr Nicci MacLeod’s home page: Nicci MacLeod - Aston Research Explorer
Resources
* Warning: This episode contains descriptions of rape and allegations of false reporting of rape *
A 19-year-old British woman’s holiday in Ayia Napa turns into a nightmare when she’s accused of fabricating a gang rape claim. Was her police statement truly her own words?
In this episode, Dr. Andrea Nini examines the linguistic evidence that became central to uncovering the truth behind this controversial case.
For a list of our sources and more information about the case please visit https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
Andrea’s webpage: https://andreanini.com/
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Hosts: Dr Nicci MacLeod, Professor Tim Grant
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook, Amy Booth
* Warning: This episode contains descriptions of murder *
Most people could never dream of admitting to something they didn’t do, especially when it comes to an accusation as heinous as murder.
Donte Parker’s murder remains unsolved. If you have any information on this case, please visit https://slmpd.org/tips/ to submit an anonymous tip.
For a list of our sources and more information about the case please visit: https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook
With our thanks to Dr Marlon Hurt
Case Resources:
https://gunmemorial.org/2019/12/09/donte-parker
*Warning: This episode includes mentions of murder by stabbing and swearing*
What happens when a childhood language game is used to obscure the details of a crime? Well, you call in Dr Nicci MacLeod.
In this episode, Nicci recounts a time when the police approached her to analyse the language of a group of suspects covertly recorded on the way to and from court. At first, it didn’t seem as though the suspects were speaking English, but as Nicci realised, ‘egg’ was being worked in to words in attempt to obscure the true meaning for anyone who may be eavesdropping.
We would like to give special thanks to Andrea Jones for her support of this episode, and dedicate it to the memory of her brother Dolton Powell.
For a list of our sources and more information about this case, please visit: https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here:
https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook
Resources
Links above and:
• Dr Nicci MacLeod’s home page https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/persons/nicci-macleod
• BBC Expert Witness episode about the case:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0024gj1
• Gloucestershire Live ‘s coverage of the case
https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/timeline-how-brutal-murder-gloucestershires-29677
*Warning: This episode contains descriptions of fraud and exploitation*
To what lengths would you go for love? A sweet selfie, thoughtful good morning texts, or late-night phone calls might come to mind. But what about sending over £10,000 to someone you've never met in person?
It might sound far-fetched, but last year alone, more than 8,000 people in the UK fell victim to romance fraud - losing money to scammers who preyed on their hearts.
In this episode of Writing Wrongs, Nicci and Tim are joined by criminologist Dr Elisabeth Carter to unpack the manipulative language of romance scams.
Together, they explore how scammers build trust, how victims are drawn in - and how you can protect yourself in the ever-evolving world of online dating.
More information
For a list of our sources and more information about this case, please visit https://www.aston.ac.uk/writing-wrongs
Have a question for Nicci or Tim? Email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk and we may answer it during an upcoming episode!
Check out the official AIFL blog for more forensic linguistic goodies here: https://medium.com/@AIFLblog
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Sound: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook (Roger), Jordan Robertson (Camilla)
With our thanks to Dr Elisabeth Carter
Resources
Professor Tim Grant’s home page: Tim Grant - Aston Research Explorer
Dr Nicci MacLeod’s home page: Nicci MacLeod - Aston Research Explorer
Dr Elisabeth Carter home page: Dr Elisabeth Carter | Kingston University London
Guide to spotting romance fraudsters:
* Warning: Today’s episode contains descriptions of abortion, murder, and execution by hanging. *
In this special bonus episode, we are delighted to have award-winning author Kate Summerscale in to chat with Tim and Nicci about her most recent book, The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place.
It takes a deep dive into the case presented in our first episode, Timothy Evans: The birth of ‘Forensic Linguistics’ and the murders linked to Evans’ neighbour John Christie.
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Resources:
You can purchase The Peepshow and any other of Kate’s wonderful books here:
https://www.katesummerscale.com/
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Producer: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
With our thanks to Kate Summerscale
*Warning: This episode contains strong language and threats of terrorism and other violence.*
In 2018, a crudely made bomb was found in a car park in central Edinburgh. Later, blog posts by an unknown author appeared on a Mexican eco-anarchist website, in both Spanish and English, claiming responsibility for said bomb.
Our own Professor Tim Grant was contacted by Police Scotland to build a profile of the author. Two years later, the police contacted Tim again after identifying a potential suspect.
Dr Isobelle Clarke (Lancaster University) joined Tim in using comparative authorship analysis to determine who may have been responsible for these posts.
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Resources:
Professor Tim Grant’s home page https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/persons/tim-grant
Dr Isobelle Clarke’s home page https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/linguistics/about/people/isobelle-clarke
BBC Expert Witness episode about the case: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0fwyswv
BBC News story about case https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-60402838
Aston University 2022 press release about Karvounakis case https://www.aston.ac.uk/latest-news/linguistics-expert-aston-university-helps-police-scotland-secure-terrorism-conviction
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Producer: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook, Neus Alberich Buera
With our thanks to Dr Isobelle Clarke
* Warning: This episode contains descriptions of abortion, murder and execution by hanging *
Welcome to Series 1, Episode 1 of Writing Wrongs, a podcast from the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics where hosts Professor Tim Grant and Dr Nicci Macleod take a case-by-case look at the field of forensic linguistics in action.
This case covers Timothy Evans who, 75 years ago (9 March 1950), was hanged after confessing to the murder of his wife, Beryl and baby daughter, Geraldine.
However, 18 years after Evans’ death, linguist Jan Svartvik authored a publication calling the validity of Evans’ confession into question, and in doing so, coined the term ‘forensic linguistics’.
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode, please contact one of these free sources:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
https://www.helpguide.org/find-help
Resources
IMDB for BBC mini series Rillington Place https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5568438/?ref_=tt_mlt_i_2
IMDB for film: 10 Rillington Place https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066730/
Internet archive of Ludovic Kennedy’s book 10 Rillington Place https://archive.org/details/tenrillingtonpla0000kenn [available on sale from secondhand booksellers]
Home page of Kate Summerscale author of The Peepshow The Murders at 10 Rillington Place https://www.katesummerscale.com
The original text of the Jan Svartvik book The Evans Statements A case for Forensic Linguistics https://www.thetext.co.uk/Evans%20Statements%20Part%202.pdf
Production Team: Sam Cook, Jordan Robertson, Neus Alberich Buera
Producer: Sam Cook
Visual design: George Grant
Additional Voices: Sam Cook
Every sentence tells a story, every word leaves a trace.
