I have just finished an article in New Yorker July 23,2012 concerning forensic analysis of writing as a potential tool for crime investigation. The article by Jack Hitt immediately struck a chord, being that I’m an old gum shoe/terrorist hunter. The article extolls possible virtues and dangers of embracing forensic linguistics when trying to identify criminals and terrorists who leave manifesto doggrel, or taunting script, to media and police agencies. Apparently each of us writes in unique style leaving clues much like literary fingerprints. I’ve been told that I have a very distinctive voice, the audible type, thus I’ve refrained from making threatening anonymous phone calls to annoying people. Perhaps I should consider contracting ghost writers for similar notes left on door steps?
On the lighter side, this opens the possibility of new material for thrillers. Do I foresee the Dangling Participle Killer as a future super-villan?
If it helped then I am pleased.