METHODOLOGICAL AND ANALYTICAL APPROACHES TO RESEARCH METHODS IN CONTEMPORARY FORENSIC LINGUISTICS STUDIES
Abstract
The present article examines methodological and analytical approaches employed in contemporary forensic linguistics studies. The research focuses on one of the key issues of modern forensic linguistics, namely the selection of reliable research methods for analyzing language as legal evidence. The relevance of the study is determined by the increasing importance of linguistic expertise in legal practice, where methodological accuracy directly influences the validity of expert conclusions. The purpose of the article is to systematize and evaluate the main methodological frameworks used in forensic linguistics, with emphasis on their theoretical foundations and practical applicability. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between traditional qualitative methods, such as discourse analysis, stylistic analysis, and pragmatic interpretation, and quantitative approaches based on corpus linguistics and computational techniques. The novelty of the research lies in its integrative perspective, which considers forensic linguistics as an interdisciplinary field combining linguistic, legal, and analytical dimensions. This approach makes it possible to identify current methodological trends, including the growing use of hybrid research models. The findings demonstrate that contemporary forensic linguistics increasingly relies on the combination of interpretative and empirical methods, enhancing the evidential value and reliability of linguistic analysis. At the same time, methodological challenges related to standardization, expert competence, and the analysis of digital communication are highlighted. The article concludes that the further development of coherent and methodologically grounded analytical frameworks is essential for strengthening the scientific and practical foundations of forensic linguistics within modern legal systems.
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