Last night’s PIE+ event brought forensic linguistics and criminology vividly to life as students, staff, and parents gathered in the Performing Arts Centre to hear from Dr Elisabeth Carter, Associate Professor of Criminology at Kingston University.

Dr Carter – a leading expert in the language of fraud and deception – delivered a fascinating and eye-opening talk analysing real criminal case studies, showing how everyday communication can be used to manipulate, deceive, and control. Through her forensic examination of text exchanges and call transcripts, she demonstrated how subtle patterns of language reveal the psychological strategies behind fraud, from trust-building and grooming to emotional coercion and control.

Using examples from her research and BBC Radio 4’s Scam Secrets series, Dr Carter explored how fraudsters exploit social norms and empathy to gain power over their victims. She explained that scams such as romance fraud are not cases of gullibility, but rather of grooming and psychological abuse, comparing the techniques used by fraudsters to those seen in coercive relationships.

The audience was captivated as Dr Carter discussed the “linguistic crime scene” of a conversation – where tone, repetition, and phrasing become evidence of manipulation. Her analysis of criminal case studies revealed the mechanics of what she calls “the shame cycle,” in which victims blame themselves rather than recognising the skill and strategy of the perpetrator.

Following the talk, students had the opportunity to ask questions about Dr Carter’s work with law enforcement, the United Nations, and her contributions to national fraud prevention campaigns. Her advice to budding criminologists and linguists was clear: “Pay attention to the detail of language — every word choice has meaning.”

The evening was a compelling blend of academic insight and real-world relevance, sparking lively discussion among students about the intersection of language, ethics, and law. The next PIE+ talk is now even more hotly anticipated – with writer Laura Bates scheduled to visit the school on 12 March 2026.