An augmented evidence base for the interpretation of forensic text-based communications materials as intelligence and evidence

There are many different materials and traces that are now used routinely as intelligence in investigations or evidence in court. Traces remain important for many investigations and crime reconstructions, and text-based materials are growing in significance, especially in cases where the critical questions focus on intent and consent which in many situations cannot be answered by traces alone. Traces generally have a so-called 'single object of study' and focussed questions to answer, which is reflected in the established evidence base that underpins the interpretation of these traces. For text-based materials, there are usually 'multiple objects of study' with a broad range of potential questions to be considered. Those questions tend to be less defined, and it is not possible for one discipline or specialism to provide the full picture. Therefore, it is not possible to simply transpose the approach for interpreting single object of study traces to multiple objects of study materials. Four rapid reflexive thematic analyses were undertaken of samples of literature from four different disciplinary discourses that address text-based communications materials. The findings illustrate the range of contrasting underlying assumptions across different disciplines that address the multiple objects of study relevant to evaluating and interpreting text. An augmented evidence base to the traditional evidence base that underpins trace evaluation and interpretation is proposed for text-based materials that is able to bring together insights from multiple disciplinary traditions that may have contrasting philosophical foundations to address the different objects of study of text-based communication materials.