The problem of establishing the identity of the anonymous author has always been a pressing task of criminalistics, forensic examination, literary and art studies. Since the end of the 19th century forensic scientists have been developing technical and tactical methods and means to recognize a person who is the author or at the same time author and performer of handwritten and typed texts, drawings, and audio messages. At present tactical, technical, and forensic support for the identification of the unknown author of computer materials, telecommunication messages and mailings are actively developing. Also, methods for applying artificial intelligence technologies during the investigative activities of this particular kind are being developed. The present article is devoted to an overview of the history, current state and prospects for the development of methods for obtaining information about a person from anonymous text and speech materials.