LINGUISTIC FORENSICS IN ONLINE DEFAMATION CASES: A CROSS-PLATFORM ANALYSIS

Abstract

The expansion of digital communication has led to a significant rise in online defamation, making forensic linguistics increasingly important in the investigation of cybercrime and legal disputes. This study examines digital discourse from major social media platforms through a cross-platform analysis to identify linguistic patterns used in defamatory communication. Using a hybrid framework that combines critical discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, and speech act theory, the research analyzes publicly available social media texts to uncover recurring forensic linguistic features such as evaluative language, presupposition, modality, and assertive speech acts. Quantitative corpus-based methods are employed to identify frequency patterns and collocations, while qualitative analysis interprets meaning, intention, and reputational harm. The findings demonstrate that online defamation is frequently constructed through strategic linguistic choices that present allegations as factual claims within social media language. This study contributes to forensic linguistics by providing empirical evidence on how defamatory meanings are produced in digital discourse, offering practical insights for legal professionals, investigators, and policymakers addressing cybercrime in online environments.