Forensic Linguistics and Certified Fraud Examination

Unlocking the secrets of communication.

Finding facts for better decisions.

KMI Investigations, LLC is a licensed and bonded Grand Rapids, MI-based private and professional investigations company led by our founder Joe Koenig, Forensic Linguist, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and author. We utilize only highly trained, skilled, and experienced private investigators and consultants who are experts at gathering factually accurate data, witness information, and evidence critical to our client's objectives. KMI is your expert in many investigations: Forensic Linguistics, Interview/Interrogation, due diligence; asset discovery; reliability of statements; objective assessments of case facts. You may wish to have us obtain very detailed information from your client to disclose unknown case facts.

KMI specializes in Forensic Linguistics - using language/communication as evidence - Forensic Linguistics). Forensic Linguists will accomplish various things for you. Here are some examples:

• Analyze written or spoken language to determine its authenticity or meaning. This may involve analyzing a ransom note to determine if it was written by the kidnapper or a witness statement to determine if the witness is telling the truth.

• Identify the unknown author of a text. This is done by comparing the unknown author's writing characteristics to those of a known writer.

• Provide expert testimony in court. Forensic Linguists provide expert testimony on various issues, such as the authenticity of a document, the meaning of a statement, or an author's identity.*
• Analyze advertising copy to determine whether it is deceptive or misleading.
• Investigate trademark infringement and copyright violations.
• Identify the author of pseudonymous texts.

A forensic linguist is a valuable asset in various legal settings. They can help to solve crimes, resolve legal disputes, and educate law enforcement and the public.

KMI practices the principles revealed in the founder's award-winning book, "Getting the Truth," and teaches those principles to his ever-growing number of speeches on Forensic Linguistics. These principles unlock the secrets of communication, which go to the heart of getting the truth and understanding the real message. Evidence obtained using our principles will save you time and money. You get the right evidence in the right way. For example, when our work results in a confession, our process minimizes the possibility of a false confession. 

We also work hard to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We try our best to instill in the confessor that, while their actions were wrong and they need to be held accountable, this is their opportunity to view this setback as a catalyst for growth, for improvement. We emphasize the need for introspection, not anger. Understanding and accepting our mistakes leads us to a better way forward, a foundation on which to build.

Using Forensic Linguistics in Due Diligence investigations is a little-used and powerful tool for making better decisions in mergers and acquisitions. We can help you determine how committed they are and identify those areas in which you need to gather more information before making those all-important decisions.

False confessions are being discovered at an alarming rate. We offer opinions on possible false confessions, helping to identify, analyze, quantify, and present the evidence in those false confessions to help prove innocence. Joe has the unique and powerful combination of experience and skills as a Court approved expert* to help you defend those falsely accused. 

Joe was the 2020 recipient of the Michigan State Police Retiree of the Year award in part for his work in providing crucial Forensic Linguistic evidence leading to the release of two convicts from prison for crimes they didn't commit in separate cases. Joe regularly works on Innocence Clinic projects.

Use KMI to assist in your legal and audit risk assessment interviews. Use KMI to interview your client(s) to get detailed minimally contaminated statements to help determine the truth and secure those hard-to-get details needed to construct your best legal/audit strategy. We also assist counsel to help identify deceptive testimony and witness statements.

Autographed books ("Getting the Truth" and "Getting the Truth: I am D.B. Cooper" with free shipping) are available by clicking the "BOOKSTORE" tab above, or unautographed books are available through any bookstore. KMI incorporates the books' principles in everything it does. That is something you won't find in other PI firms. "Getting the Truth" is the 2016 Montaigne Medal Finalist Award Winner and the 2016 Indie Non-Fiction Finalist Award Winner. Please get in touch with us anytime at 616 366-5856 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  @JoeKMI on Twitter and Facebook: Author Joe Koenig and #gettingthetruth; #getthetruth; #joekoenig; #AuthorJoeKoenig.

 

*Expert Witness testimony on Forensic Linguistics (admitted as Expert Witness, 2019 Michigan's Sixth Circuit Court Judge Rae Chabot [State of Michigan vs. Kevin Boyd])

Finding Facts for Better Decisions