About
Dr. Rob Leonard is Professor of Linguistics and Swahili at Hofstra University, where he serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Linguistics: Forensic Linguistics and Co-Director of the Institute for Forensic Linguistics, Threat Assessment and Strategic Analysis. He is a leading expert in forensic linguistics, applying linguistic science to legal and criminal investigations.
- University: Hofstra University
- School: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Department: Department of Comparative Literature, Languages, and Linguistics
- Academic Rank: Professor
Dr. Leonard is renowned for his work in authorship analysis, threat assessment, and linguistic profiling. His research focuses on how language can be used as evidence in legal contexts, including analyzing ransom notes, confessions, contracts, and digital communications. He has consulted on high-profile cases such as the JonBenet Ramsey murder, the Coleman family triple homicide, and the Charlene Hummert murder. His expertise spans vocabulary usage, grammar, narrative structure, and stylistic peculiarities to identify authors and detect deception.
His scholarly output includes numerous publications and presentations, with recent works covering forensic linguistics in legal settings, authorship attribution, and the cognitive aspects of language. He has contributed to law reviews and major media outlets such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Smithsonian Magazine. His research trends emphasize the application of linguistic theory to real-world justice issues, particularly in criminal investigations and legal disputes.
- Fulbright Fellow
- Teacher of the Year (2008–09)
- Distinguished Faculty Lecture (2014)
- Featured expert in national and international media
Dr. Leonard actively mentors students through the Forensic Linguistics Justice Project and internships with law enforcement and legal agencies. He has secured significant professional recognition through expert witness qualifications in 12 states and federal courts, and has consulted for the FBI, Apple, and the Prime Minister of Canada. His work bridges academia and practice, advancing the field of forensic linguistics globally.
He leads the Institute for Forensic Linguistics, Threat Assessment and Strategic Analysis, which conducts in-depth language analysis for civil and criminal cases. The institute works on diverse evidence types, including emails, recordings, threats, and disinformation. Dr. Leonard also founded and directs the first Master of Arts program in Forensic Linguistics in the Western Hemisphere, shaping the next generation of forensic language experts.
