The Need To Understand Forensic Audio Analysis

By Freida Michael


There are many components, departments, etc involved in crime investigation. Forensic audio analysis allows investigators to examine and understand types of sounds -- such as recordings -- from a particular crime scene. Audio forensics is an important part of any investigation.

The analysis of forensic sound has many components. First the authenticity of the sound must be confirmed. Then it must be evaluated in order to assure that it can be used in a court of law. If it passes both of those it is enhanced in order to ascertain that nothing was missed in the initial listening and in order to improve audibility. Then the sounds on the recording -- such as people talking -- must be identified. If there is someone talking on the recording, it is the job of the investigators to figure out who it is. Any dialogue is transcribed, and the recording is used to set up the scene of the crime through sounds.

The audio is enhanced to improve the sound and make it clearer. This is to make sure nothing was missed on the initial listen. When a sound is enhanced, it cleans any unwanted noises such as static. Sound analysis requires professional equipment and specific skills. Improved technology allows different was to analyze sound. The old method required huge equipment. Technology has made it so most work is done digitally on computers today.

The process of enhancing a recording involves "cleaning" it -- clearing away static and other unwanted noises. The point of enhancing is to carefully uncover the evidence in the recording without accidentally destroying it. It is also possible to "reverse engineer" a noise in a recording in order to help determine where exactly it came from.

Investigators must listen to people talking on the audio and transcribe the dialogue. They must determine who the people talking are. This can help them determine who was at the scene of the crime and provide any evidence. The crime scene is set up through sounds. The history of this analysis started with the Watergate Scandal that occurred in the 1970s. They used sound as evidence during the investigation and had to pick apart several sound recordings.

Because sound recording may come from different devices, a crime scene may involve many sound recording devices. Audio recordings are available from 911 calls, voicemails, and memory cards from mobile devices and computers. Consequently giving tons of clips to analyze. A forensics audio lab needs to be organized and thorough as they handle tons of recordings. Their work is crucial because a legitimate sound lab analyzes these recorded sounds and makes sure that they are permissible in court.

These forensic technicians are also often called upon to testify in court. When they are on the stand they have to defend their findings. It is therefore important to make sure their findings stand up under scrutiny.

Audio forensics is an important part of an investigation. Recordings can help unravel things like motives and alibis, and can even help with determining who is at the scene of a crime. It is a difficult task to undertake, and an important part of trying to solve a crime.




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