LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS AND FORENSIC LINGUISTICS: AUTHORSHIP, AUTHENTICITY, AND ETHICAL CHALLENGES

Abstract

The paper discusses the convergence between large language models and forensic linguistics and its problems, such as the authorship and authenticity and ethical concerns. Forensic linguistics in itself is the study of language in legal and investigation situations such as the determination of authorship, the discovering of deceit, and textual analysis. The recent technological advancements have brought on board the computational models which are able to produce human-like text, raising new questions to forensic analysis. The study examines the case studies in which the texts produced or mediated by computationally generated methods were used in legal or investigative situations, showing that linguistic habits, stylistic indicators, and textual anomalies may influence judgments of authorship. In qualitative research on the textual evidence and the current reports regarding the forensic investigations, the researcher finds that there are common issues when differentiating between texts created by the individual and texts created or manipulated by the computational system. It also addresses the ethical aspects of using generated texts as evidence during a legal trial especially in consideration of the evidentiary standards, accountability and the possible bias during interpretation. The study also investigates the way forensic linguists modify the conventional analysis techniques to cope up with the complexities they create by these textual phenomena. The results show that more new methodological tools are needed to deal with the problem of authenticity and authentication of authorship, although traditional linguistic markers are still useful. The article emphasizes the necessity to build effective ethical standards on the application of computationally based texts in legal proceedings and interdisciplinary cooperation between the linguists, lawyers, and technology experts.