Writing Wrongs
Every sentence tells a story, every word leaves a trace
Writing Wrongs Trailer
Writing Wrongs, from Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics, explores historic and contemporary forensic linguistic cases.
In each episode of this new True Crime podcast, hosts Professor Tim Grant and Dr Nicci MacLeod, who've provided expert evidence in hundreds of cases, examine a specific case and its linguistic analysis.
Some episodes feature guest forensic linguists sharing their experiences as expert witnesses. The series highlights different case types, showcasing the strengths and limitations of forensic linguistics in criminal and civil investigations.
If you have any questions about the podcast content, please feel free to email us at writingwrongs@aston.ac.uk
Series 1 - Episode 1 - Timothy Evans: A case for forensic linguistics
* 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’.
Release date: March 2025
- Episode Resources
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
Series 1 - Bonus - Kate Summerscale on her book - The Peepshow: The Murders at 10 Rillington Place
* 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.
Release date: March 2025
- Episode Resources
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
Series 1 - Episode 3 - Imposters Tending To The Wild with Dr Isobelle Clarke
*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.
Release date: March 2025
- Episode Resources
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
Series 1 - Episode 4 - Romance Fraud: The Linguistic Crime Scene with Dr Elisabeth Carter
Release date: 4 April 2025
*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.
- Episode Resources
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:
Series 1 - Episode 5 - Foreygensic Lingeyguistics: Cracking the Killer’s Code
Release date: 2 May 2025
*Warning: This episode contains descriptions of murder 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.
- Episode Resources
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
Gloucestershire Live ‘s coverage of the case https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/timeline-how-brutal-murder-gloucestershires-29677
BBC Expert Witness episode about the case: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0024gj1
COMING SOON: The Disputed Confessions of Darnell Rusan
Release date: 6 June 2025
*Warning: The following contains descriptions of murder*
A man confesses to murder - eleven times. But was it his story or the detective’s? In this episode, Dr Marlon Hurt unpacks the case of Darnell Rusan, accused of killing Donte Parker in St. Louis, Missouri.
With only two seconds of grainy doorbell footage and a heavily guided police interrogation, forensic linguistics became key to uncovering the truth behind the words.
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.
- Episode Resources
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
https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/incident/1568077
Find out more about the diverse range of research and events taking place within the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics and about how to elevate your undergraduate degree in a related field such as linguistics, English, criminology, law, sociology or psychology by enrolling on our MA Forensic Linguistics which can be taken on campus or distance learning.
Our MA Forensic Linguistics programme sets graduates up for an array of fascinating careers in a variety of different contexts. Our graduate destinations are numerous and varied from police forces to government communications, defence and intelligence agencies.
- MA Forensic Linguistics
In the MA Forensic Linguistics programme at Aston University, you will be taught by members of the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL), the world's biggest grouping of forensic linguists. Our course is designed to help you explore cutting-edge research and practical applications.
With a £6M UK government grant, we've expanded our capabilities to ensure you receive top-notch expertise. Guided by experienced academics, you will delve into various topics, from identifying authors to addressing online abuse.
Engage in real case work, collaborate on research projects and attend seminars to boost your skills. Whether you're looking for a career in policing, intelligence, cybersecurity or academia, our programme equips you with the tools to make a difference.
- PhDs in Forensic Linguistics
Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics has a vibrant community of PhD students, and current and past PhD members can be found on the Institute pages. If you are interested in studying for a PhD with us, please visit our PhD information page for further details.
- BSc (Hons) Criminology
Studying BSc (Hons) Criminology at Aston University will develop your understanding of crime and the criminal justice system with a focus on social inequality, harm and deviance. This critical criminology programme emphasises employability and digital skills, equipping you with the tools to analyse crime in the context of societal changes.
You will explore key criminological theories, research methods and contemporary issues such as policing, punishment and victimology. Our research-active staff, experts in their fields, ensure that your learning is informed by the latest research.
The integrated placement year bridges theory and practice, providing you with invaluable real-world experience in the UK or abroad. This hands-on experience enhances your skills and prepares you for a range of professional roles within the criminal justice system and beyond.
- MSc Criminology
MSc Criminology at Aston University develops a critical understating of criminology, moving beyond narrow legal definitions of ‘crime’ to focus on the causes and expressions of a variety of social harms. We study the operation of the criminal justice process, placing it within its wider social context of power, deviance, and exclusion.
Through optional modules, you can focus on online communities, whilst core modules explore the relationship between technology, harm, and social control. Across the programme, you will develop both your digital skills and your higher level methodological skills through a series of bespoke modules, and have the opportunity to explore the relationship between social and criminal justice through workshops with professionals working in the criminal justice and related sectors.
These aspects of the programme are designed to develop your critical analytical and research skills, whilst enabling understanding of and insight into professional practice in the sector.
- BA (Hons) English Language
The BA (Hons) English Language programme enhances your critical awareness and equips you with valuable communication, analytical and critical skills for your future career. Designed with a forward-thinking approach, it integrates your studies with professional contexts and practical applications. Our expert faculty, specialising in areas like forensic linguistics, language education, workplace communication, corpus linguistics, and literary linguistics, inform the curriculum directly.
This programme encompasses a wide range of language analysis, from political speeches and news reporting to everyday conversation and social media, enabling you to hone your linguistic analysis skills and work with linguistic data.
- MA English
Explore and advance your knowledge of English language and literature with our comprehensive MA English programme at Aston University. Offering specialised tracks in language, literature or an integrated approach, our programme provides a dynamic platform for academic growth.
Our curriculum emphasises the development of practical research skills and theoretical frameworks. Through the exploration of diverse texts using genre studies, corpus linguistics, cognitive literary studies and digital humanities, you will refine your analytical abilities.
Core modules introduce critical theories and frameworks, equipping you with versatile skills applicable in both academic and professional settings. With a range of optional modules available, you can tailor your learning experience to align with your individual interests and career aspirations.
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