THE BURARI DEATHS: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF LANGUAGE AND FORENSIC LINGUISTICS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

Abstract

Forensic linguistics plays a significant role in criminal investigations and legal proceedings. It includes the analysis of the language when language is utilized as evidence in court, such as in cases involving suicide notes, anonymous threat letters, audio or video records, or other types of language submissions. (Bagade, 2019) This paper aims to explore the significance of language in forensic investigations, particularly in the context of the Burari deaths, where eleven people committed mass suicide on July 1st, 2018 in Burari, Delhi, India. The Burari deaths case, which has attracted widespread attention and raised numerous questions about the role of language and forensic linguistics in criminal investigations, shares similarities with other high-profile cases. One notable instance is the Unabomber Case, where linguistic analysis of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto helped establish his identity. Linguistic experts examined the writing style and the use of language, which eventually led to his brother recognizing the similarities in Kaczynski's writing. (Ray, 2024) Language can play a crucial role in revealing hidden meanings, intentions, and connections in legal settings. In the context of the Burari deaths, the analysis of linguistic patterns in the notes left behind by the deceased shed light on the possible motivations and psychological state of the individuals involved. The advanced discipline of forensic linguistics has greatly aided criminal investigations by providing methods and tools to interpret and decode linguistic evidence. These contributions have played a crucial role in solving crimes and understanding the reasons behind incidents, with linguistic analyses serving as compelling evidence in court proceedings as in the Burari deaths case. This paper provides a closer examination of specific linguistic aspects of the Burari Deaths case, highlighting the complex relationship that exists between the language and forensic analysis in the process of determining the truth behind this tragedy. In conducting this research, a qualitative methodology was utilized, employing discourse analysis theory as the primary analytical framework.