Tools for the Trade

Abstract

This paper describes and exemplifies the use of a series of computer programs, many of which have been specifically developed to analyse the short texts which are typical of much of the material with which forensic linguists work. The first part of the paper consists of a series of illustrations of how the programs could be used, or actually have been used, in cases of doubtful or disputed authorship, while the second half of the paper contains a more detailed description of the programs and information on how to obtain them.