In this conversation with Natalie Schilling, a Professor emerita of linguistics at Georgetown and an expert forensic linguist, listeners dive into a compelling case of a missing girl. Schilling explores how her unique dialect played a crucial role in unraveling the mystery behind her disappearance. The discussion uncovers the complexities of language in criminal investigations and raises thought-provoking questions about identity and the influence of speech patterns. Additionally, insights into forensic linguistics as an educational tool add depth to the topic.

Natalie Schilling, a forensic linguist and professor emerita at Georgetown University, dives into how language can crack criminal cases. She discusses intriguing methods used to analyze manifestos, ransom notes, and social media communications. Listeners learn about the linguistic profiling of the Unabomber and the significance of dialect in investigations. Schilling also explains how emojis and texting styles offer critical clues in identifying suspects, revealing the rich interplay between language and law.