Linguistic markers in cross-nation suicide notes and their implications for authenticity verification

I Wayan Pastika, Putu Wahyu Widiatmika, I Gusti Ayu Agung Mas Triadnyani

Abstract


The relevance and validity of linguistic markers in distinguishing genuine from fabricated suicide notes remain a subject of unresolved debate as highlighted by past studies. However, much of the existing research relies on the same corpus; thus, the need for fresh insights using newer datasets is required. This study investigates linguistic markers in recent cross-nation suicide notes and their implications for authenticity verification. Grounded in Olsson’s (2008, 2012) linguistic feature theory, the research analyzed ten genuine and five fabricated suicide notes drawn from real cases across eight countries. The data were sourced from verified news reports with validation ensured through intertextual reports. Using a qualitative approach, the study identified both overlapping and distinctive linguistic markers between genuine and fabricated notes. Key markers consistently associated with genuine suicide notes include suicidal propositions, the framing of suicide as the only viable option, explicit references to death, and emotional ambivalence. These markers are shown to be difficult to convincingly replicate in fabricated notes, providing a potential basis for authenticity verification. Although this study has several limitations, including the small sample size, translation issue of non-English or non-Indonesian notes, and the inherent subjectivity due to qualitative nature, it contributes to clarifying the reliability of linguistic analysis in determining the authenticity of suicide notes and underscores the importance of four specific linguistic markers in distinguishing genuine from fabricated notes. This study also strengthens the relevance of suicide note linguistic markers by connecting psychological reasonings represented by linguistic expressions.


Keywords


Authenticity; cross-nation; forensic linguistics; linguistic marker; suicide note

Full Text:

PDF

References


Adams, J., & Adams, M. (1996). The Association Among Negative Life Events, Perceived Problem Solving Alternatives, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescent Psychiatric Patients. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 37(6), 715–720. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.1996.tb01463.x

Adepoju, H. B. (2016). Linguistic stylistics. In A. Odebunmi, A. Osisanwo, H. Bodunde, & S. Ekpe (Eds.), Grammar, Applied Linguistics and Society (pp. 61–80). Obafemi Awolowo University Press.

Alduais, A., Al-Khulaidi, M. A., Allegretta, S., & Abdulkhalek, M. M. (2023). Forensic linguistics: A scientometric review. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2214387

Anilesh, T. T. (2024). Interpreting Suicide: Textuality of a Mortality. Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

Arbeit, S. A., & Blatt, S. J. (1973). Differentiation of Simulated and Genuine Suicide Notes. Psychological Reports, 33(1), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1973.33.1.283

Barbagli, M. (2015). Farewell to the world: A history of suicide. Polity.

Bardsley, A. (2022, January 21). “Please forgive me Cass”: Killer wrote fake suicide note after stabbing her own mum to death to cover her sick crimes. Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/please-forgive-cass-killer-wrote-22818364

Baumeister, R. F. (1990). Suicide as escape from self. Psychological Review, 97(1), 90–113. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.97.1.90

Beck, A. T. (1987). Cognitive models of depression. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1(1), 5–37.

Boergers, J., Spirito, A., & Donaldson, D. (1998). Reasons for Adolescent Suicide Attempts: Associations With Psychological Functioning. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 37(12), 1287–1293. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199812000-00012

Broda, E., & Strömbäck, J. (2024). Misinformation, disinformation, and fake news: lessons from an interdisciplinary, systematic literature review. Annals of the International Communication Association, 48(2), 139–166. https://doi.org/10.1080/23808985.2024.2323736

Canning, P. (2023). Forensic stylistics. In The Routledge Handbook of Stylistics (pp. 521–541). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780367568887-35

Carrega, C., & Katersky, A. (2020, February 2). Fotis Dulos’ alleged suicide note leaves questions about his estranged wife’s disappearance. AbcNews. https://abcnews.go.com/US/fotis-dulos-alleged-suicide-note-leaves-questions-estranged/story?id=68688743

Chung, C. (2021, December 19). The full text of Jonghyun’s death note. The Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2017/12/19/the-full-text-of-jonghyuns-death-note.html

Court Records. (2012). Fake Suicide Note. Archive. https://archive.org/details/330426-suicidenote1

Dirhantoro, T. (2021, September 8). Anggota TNI Diduga Bunuh Diri Terjun dari Jembatan Suramadu, Ini Pesan Menyentuh untuk Anak Istrinya. Kompas. https://www.kompas.tv/regional/209671/anggota-tni-diduga-bunuh-diri-terjun-dari-jembatan-suramadu-ini-pesan-menyentuh-untuk-anak-istrinya?page=all#:~:text=SURABAYA%2C%20KOMPAS.TV%20%2D%20Seorang,%2F9%2F2021)%20malam

Dour, H. J., Cha, C. B., & Nock, M. K. (2011). Evidence for an emotion–cognition interaction in the statistical prediction of suicide attempts. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49(4), 294–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2011.01.010

Durkheim, E. (1897). Suicide. Free Press.

Edelman, S., & Italiano, L. (2020, December 26). Woman’s suicide note posts days after she jumped to her death in Hudson Yards. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2020/12/26/womans-instagram-suicide-note-posts-days-after-she-jumped-to-her-death/

Ellis, T. E., & Rutherford, B. (2008). Cognition and Suicide: Two Decades of Progress. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 1(1), 47–68. https://doi.org/10.1680/ijct.2008.1.1.47

Faguy, A. (2023, January 25). Real-World Events Drive Increases in Online Hate Speech, Study Finds. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/01/25/real-world-events-drive-increases-in-online-hate-speech-study-finds/

Grundlingh, L. (2020). Arguments in Favour of Authentic and Fabricated Suicide Notes as Indistinguishable Texts. University of South Africa.

Gunawan, H. (2020, December 19). Putus Cinta, Pria Bertato di Asahan Nekat Bunuh Diri, Tinggalkan Pesan Untuk “Bunda” . Tribun News. https://www.tribunnews.com/regional/2020/12/19/putus-cinta-pria-bertato-di-asahan-nekat-bunuh-diri-tinggalkan-pesan-untuk-bunda

Gurjar, C. (2024, January 29). “Mummy, Papa, I can’t do JEE”: Teen dies by suicide in Kota, second this year. India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/18-year-old-jee-aspirant-dies-by-suicide-in-kota-second-this-year-2494831-2024-01-29

Heydon, G. (2020, November 26). Forensic Linguists can Make or Break a Court Case. So Who are They and What do They do? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/forensic-linguists-can-make-or-break-a-court-case-so-who-are-they-and-what-do-they-do-149920

Hillman, J. (1964). Suicide and the soul. Harper & Row.

Ioannou, M., & Debowska, A. (2014). Genuine and simulated suicide notes: An analysis of content. Forensic Science International, 245, 151–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.035

Joiner, T. E. (2005). Why People Die by Suicide. Harvard University Press.

Kral, M. J. (2019). The Idea of Suicide: Contagion, Imitation, and Cultural Diffusion. Routledge.

Leenaars, A. a., & Lester, D. (1990). What characteristics of suicide notes are salient for people to allow perception of a suicide note as genuine? Death Studies, 14(1), 25–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481189008252343

Lester, D. (2008). Theories of suicide. In F. T. L. Leong & M. M. Leach (Eds.), Suicide among racial and ethnic minority groups: Theory, research, and practice (pp. 39–53). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

Maudisha. (2023, March 28). Forensic Linguistics Proves the Important Role of Language in the Legal Field. Universitas Indonesia. https://www.ui.ac.id/en/forensic-linguistics-proves-the-important-role-of-language-in-the-legal-field/

McMenamin, G. R. (1993). Forensic Stylistics. Elsevier.

Menninger, K. A. (1933). Psychoanalytic aspects of suicide. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 14, 376–390.

Meyer, C. L., Irani, T. H., Hermes, K. A., & Yung, B. (2017). Explaining Suicide: Patterns, Motivations, and What Notes Reveal. Elsevier Academic Press.

Monalisa. (2024, February 2). Bunuh Pacar Sesama Jenis Gegara Diselingkuhi, Pria di Kuningan Buat Surat Wasiat Palsu: “Yang Maaf.” Tribun Trends. https://trends.tribunnews.com/2024/02/02/bunuh-pacar-sesama-jenis-gegara-diselingkuhi-pria-di-kuningan-buat-surat-wasiat-palsu-yang-maaf?page=2

Negi, C. (2024). The Rise of Hate Speech Around the World. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4719266

Oloniniran, G., & Aina, T. (2024, January 12). Netizens Mourn as Female Banker Kills Self, Pens Suicide Note. Punch. https://punchng.com/netizens-mourn-as-female-banker-kills-self-pens-suicide-note/

Olsson, J. (2008). Forensic Linguistics (2nd ed.). Continuum.

Olsson, J. (2012). Wordcrime: Solving Crime through Forensic Linguistics. Continuum.

Olsson, J., & Luchjenbroers, J. (2014). Forensic Linguistic. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Osgood, C. E., & Walker, E. G. (1959). Motivation and language behavior: A content analysis of suicide notes. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 59(1), 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0047078

Pastika, I. W. (2018). Kekerasan Verbal dalam Teks Forensik Bahasa Indonesia. In K. E. Sukamto (Ed.), Kongres Internasional Masyarakat Linguistik Indonesia 2018 (pp. 123–127). Masyarakat Linguistik Indonesia.

Pastika, I. W. (2021). Pembuktian Linguistik pada Teks yang Menimbulkan Kasus Hukum: Kajian Linguistik Forensik. In I. W.

Pastika & I. A. M. Puspani (Eds.), Linguistik Forensik: Studi Kasus Teks Lintas Bahasa (pp. 3–18). Pustaka Larasan.

Prokofyeva, T. (2013). Language Use in Two Types of Suicide Texts. Linköping University.

Riadi, I., Herman, H., & Rafiq, I. A. (2022). Mobile Forensic Investigation of Fake News Cases on Instagram Applications with Digital Forensics Research Workshop Framework. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.29099/ijair.v6i2.311

Sameer, C. (n.d.). Chilling Suicide Note of a 14-Year-Old Girl is a Wake Up Call for Over-Competitive Parents. The Asian Parent. Retrieved September 5, 2024, from https://sg.theasianparent.com/effects-of-pressure-on-students

Schotte, D. E., & Clum, G. A. (1987). Problem-solving skills in suicidal psychiatric patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.55.1.49

Shah, F. (2021, October 29). ‘Grindr killer’ planted fake suicide note on victim framing him for killing another man, inquest hears. Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/stephen-port-grindr-killer-victim-fake-note-b1947849.html

Shapero, J. J. (2011). The Language of Suicide Notes. University of Birmingham.

Shneidman, E. S., & Farberow, N. L. (1957). Some Comparisons between Genuine and Simulated Suicide Notes in Terms of Mowrer’s Concepts of Discomfort and Relief. The Journal of General Psychology, 56(2), 251–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221309.1957.9920335

Shuy, R. (1996). Language Crimes: The Use and Abuse of Language Evidence in the Courtroom. Wiley-Blackwell.

Sitanggang, N. P. (2023). Meretas Titian Bahasa dalam Wacana Hukum. In N. P. Sitanggang (Ed.), Hukum dalam Teroka Linguistik (pp. 1–10). Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional.

Sithole, S. (2022, November 21). Teenager’s suicide note details pain and suffering over untrue rape allegations. Iol.

Solomon, J. (2022, May 5). Cheslie Kryst’s Mother Shares Her Final Text: “By The Time You Get This, I Won’t Be Alive Anymore.” Yahoo News. https://www.yahoo.com/news/cheslie-kryst-mother-shares-her-152443442.html?guccounter=1

Szasz, T. (1999). Fatal Freedom: The ethics and politics of suicide. Praeger.

Tarrayo, V. N. (2020). Wounds and words: A lexical and syntactic analysis of Casocot’s “There are other things beside brightness and light.” Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 10(2), 502–512. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v10i2.28594

Van Orden, K. A., Witte, T. K., Cukrowicz, K. C., Braithwaite, S. R.,

Selby, E. A., & Joiner, T. E. (2010). The interpersonal theory of suicide. Psychological Review, 117(2), 575–600. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018697

Widdowson, H. G. (1996). Linguistics. Oxford University Press.

Widiatmika, P. W. (2024). Identifikasi Autentisitas dan Motivasi Catatan Tindak Bunuh Diri di Indonesia: Kajian Linguistik Forensik. Udayana University.

Wisely, G. (2023). Ada Surat saat Mahasiswi USU Ditemukan Tewas, Tapi Bukan Tulisan Tangannya. Detik.Com. https://www.detik.com/sumut/hukum-dan-kriminal/d-6733075/ada-surat-saat-mahasiswi-usu-ditemukan-tewas-tapi-bukan-tulisan-tangannya

Zifana, M., Lukmana, I., & Sudana, D. (2022). The construction of victim of defamation in court’s written verdict. Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 12(1), 156–163. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v12i1.28273




DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v15i1.75562

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


View My Stats

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.