NCJ Number
189238
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 120-125
Date Published
June 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the features and tools of forensic audio analysis, which is the analysis of sound for the purpose of clarifying recordings in order to determine intent.
Abstract
Devices such as hidden microphones, microcassette recorders, and even video recorders provide less than adequate levels of clarity and render evidence unusable for trial. Forensic audio tools analyze the material, separate the noise from the root sound, and clarify noisy recordings. Typically, due to the expense of the equipment necessary to conduct forensic audio analysis, only the richest police agencies and large Federal organizations could afford forensic audio tools. Today, this does not have to be the case. Software has advanced to the point where it offers more precise and accurate editing than hardware at one-tenth the price. Now, any officer with a PC, sound card, and appropriate software can enhance, edit, and clarify any recording. This means that a critical piece of evidence never leaves the premises of the organization investigating the case. Diamond Cut LIVE/Forensics from EnhancedAudio, Inc. of York, PA, features more than 20 different noise-reduction and audio-enhancement tools. It is important to obtain a sound card that offers a quiet recording environment and does not introduce noise into already noisy files. A full duplex sound (able to play and record simultaneously) is required. Music stores, rather than computer stores, are the best place to look for the quality needed. This article also describes how to set up an audio forensic lab.