Audio & Video Forensics FAQs

I have an audio recording that I need authenticated – can you help me?

Yes. Primeau Forensics utilizes various methods which are accepted in the scientific community for analyzing and authenticating digital and analog audio recordings. We have authenticated hundreds of digital and analog recordings over the last 30 years.

Can you authenticate video recordings?

Yes. The process of authenticating video is slightly different than audio – for digital video, the meta data is viewed and analyzed.

It is difficult to determine what is being said in my audio recording. Is there a way to make it easier to understand?

Yes. Enhancing audio is like peeling an onion – filters are made and applied to the recording in order to hear events as they occurred. The actual recording is not altered. (FYI, courts tend to prefer the word ‘clarified’ over ‘enhanced’).

It is difficult to identify certain things in a video recording. Can you make the video easier to see?

Usually. Depending on the aspect ratio – or size – of the video, we can enhance to some extent. The question is, can we meet your expectations? A video can only be enhanced (or clarified) to a certain extent before the picture becomes too pixilated (fuzzy) to see clearly. Hollywood has glorified the forensic process and presented things in movies and television that are just not possible in the ‘real world’.

I suspect my spouse is cheating on me and I’ve made recordings of the suspicious activity – can you help me determine what is being said, or exactly what I’m hearing?

If the maker of the recording is not part of the recording, you must consult an attorney regarding the eavesdropping laws in your state. In an emergency situation, an attorney can help guide the process.

Someone has been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated. Can you help with the appeal process?

Yes. We have worked on many appellate cases over the years, especially those where audio and video forensics were not available, or were not applied to audio or video evidence.

I have a need for audio and video forensic services, but I live outside of Primeau Forensics’ home state of Michigan – can you still help me with my case?

Yes. There are various methods of delivering your audio or video evidence to us for examination. Our main audio and video forensic expert, Ed Primeau, has been qualified and worked on cases on a local, state and federal level, in most of the 50 states as well as several other countries.

My case is going to trial in a couple of weeks – can you still help me with audio or video evidence with such a short turnaround?

Yes – in most cases a quick turnaround is no problem, as long as the evidence is in your possession and you have an attorney available to discuss a forensic strategy.

Are you available to testify if my case goes to trial?

Yes. Ed Primeau is qualified as an expert to appear in court. Of course, there are travel expenses involved, so if finances are an issue he can also testify via phone or Skype.