NCJ Number
44202
Date Published
1976
Length
190 pages
Annotation
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE GATHERING AND USE OF VOICE IDENTIFICATION EVIDENCE ARE REVIEWED IN NINE ARTICLES DIRECTED PRIMARILY TO TRIAL LAWYERS.
Abstract
THE TERM 'VOICEPRINT' REFERS TO THE GRAPHIC OUTPUT OF A HIGH-SPEED SOUND SPECTROGRAPH. THE VOICEPRINT DISPLAYS CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VOICE SOUND SAID TO DISTINGUISH AMONG SPEAKERS. THE ARTICLES DESCRIBE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ON VOICEPRINT ANALYSIS, CASE LAW REGARDING THE USE OF VOICEPRINTS AS EVIDENCE, AND LEGAL AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS IN THE USE OF VOICEPRINTS. THE OPENING OVERVIEW OF STUDIES AND CASE LAW CONCLUDES THAT THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT SCIENTIFIC DATA TO JUSTIFY THE ADMISSION OF VOICEPRINT IDENTIFICATION EVIDENCE IN THE COURTS. OTHER ARTICLES DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF SPEAKER IDENTIFICATION AND ELIMINATION, THE EFFECT OF DISGUISE ON VOICEPRINT IDENTIFICATION, AND OBSERVATIONS ON SPEECH SPECTROGRAM ANALYSIS. CASE LAW AND SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ARE CITED IN AN ARTICLE INTENDED TO PROVIDE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WITH GUIDELINES ON CROSS-EXAMINING VOICE SPECTROGRAPHY EXPERTS. A COPY OF A CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DECISION REGARDING ADMISSIBILITY OF VOICEPRINT EVIDENCE IS INCLUDED, AS IS A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF LAW REVIEW ARTICLES. FOR SEPARATE ARTICLES, SEE NCJ-17739, 36820, AND 44203-44208.