The Need To Understand Forensic Audio Analysis

By Freida Michael


Successful crime investigation is done through thorough analysis of many components associate din the crime. With forensic audio analysis, investigators are able to extract and examine recordings form the crime scene that can be helpful in solving the crime. There are many physical evidences that are easily collected like the murder weapon but if available, the non-physical ones like the sound or audio are crucial as well.

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.

State of the art equipment are used to authenticate an sound recording. Although many question this process, validating the sound may be done in multiple ways. With an excellent ad skilled personnel or engineer and hi tech equipment, tamperings are identified in the clip if present. This new technology allows for authenticating to be done in alternative ways, though it is currently under scrutiny.

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.

Aside from the recording itself, the sound engineer or technician is also invited to testify and confirm the contents of the recording. As professionals, they have to be 100% sure that the recording they presented is authentic, clear and able to withstand scrutiny. Once on the witness stand, they have to answer all questions related to the sound recording and their findings.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment