LINGUISTIC ASPECTS OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF INVESTIGATORS

Abstract

The article focuses on the linguistic analysis of the peculiarities of non-verbal communication and its role in the work of an investigator, a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant amid the reform of pre-trial investigation bodies in Ukraine. The aim of the work is a theoretical and empirical study of the linguistic aspects of the investigator’s non-verbal communicative competence, particularly the analysis of verbal and non-verbal speech signals in the course of criminal proceedings. A theoretical analysis of approaches to defining communicative competence, focusing on its linguistic aspects, was conducted, considering the role of non-verbal speech manifestations–intonation, gestures, facial expressions, pauses, and speech rate–in transmitting information and forming interpersonal relationships during investigative actions. The necessity of systematic analysis of non-verbal speech information as a source of primary linguistic information about the identity of the participant in criminal proceedings is substantiated. Using methods of linguistic analysis, surveys, and speech tests, the peculiarities of investigators’ nonverbal speech during the criminal process and their linguistic and nonverbal communicative competence were studied. It was found that most investigators recognize the importance of considering non-verbal speech signals and the need to improve methods for their analysis, but note the insufficient development of forensic approaches to the study of non-verbal speech information. The research results established that most investigators have a high level of general communicative competence and a moderate or high level of perceptive nonverbal competence. At the same time, some specialists experience difficulties in analyzing and verifying non-verbal speech information, which is associated with a low level of development of linguistic skills in this area. Recommendations were developed for improving linguistic approaches to the analysis of investigators’ non-verbal communication, specifically regarding the application of verbal and non-verbal methods to enhance their linguistic and speech competence in criminal proceedings.