NCJ Number
193557
Date Published
2001
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes O.J. Simpson's apparent note of suicidal intent following the murder of his ex-wife as a means of determining his true intentions.
Abstract
Oral and written communications purport to be the behavioral manifestations of the communicator's internal thoughts; however, the unconscious mind communicates its own observations symbolically, often by secretly guiding a person's ideas through an encoded message. Although the conscious mind communicates directly, the unconscious mind communicates indirectly and symbolically, often through brief stories or key ideas. This understanding of the mind's potential enlightens the analysis of such forensic documents as ransom notes and suicide letters. A superficial analysis of such documents focuses only on the conscious intent of the writer. An analysis that focuses on the writer's unconscious communication provides a more authentic revelation of the writer's true motivation and intent. The techniques for such an analysis are applied to O.J. Simpson's apparent suicide note. The techniques are to listen for "stories within the story;" listen for references to communication, including lies and false communication; listen for repeated themes that suggest the writer's true state of mind; listen for blatant denials that more accurately suggest intentions; listen for references to impulse control and the ability to handle stress; listen for references to self-esteem, which if positive, suggest a person has not given up the will to live; and listen between the lines to every communication "slip," cross-out, omissions, etc.