Detective Linguistics

Presenter: Gavin Ellsworth

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 22-23

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Clare Sandy

Department: Anthropology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Class Project

President's Strategic Plan Goal: Connectivity and Community Engagement

Abstract:
For my project I will be using a series of interrogations to analyze the methods that detectives use to interact with individuals who are potential suspects of a crime. Most of the interviews conducted in investigations are structured, since they have a specific goal in mind. Through interactions with suspects I will analyze the discourse that is used and the tactics applied by detectives to receive as much information as possible about a crime. Interrogations often come with an interview schedule, especially if it is a high-profile crime. Another type of structured interview that will be looked at are polygraphs, which are machines designed to detect and record changes in physiological characteristics.