Forensic audio enhancement or audio clarification is the process of reducing unwanted sounds in order to increase the wanted sounds, backed by the accuracy of forensic processes.
The enhancement methodology must be repeatable to ensure the accuracy of the methodology in a court of law. This is where a qualified expert can assist with a case to ensure its admissibility. To demonstrate, learn more about our audio enhancement services from Audio Forensic Expert Edward Primeau in the video to the right.
In contrast, the alternative to an audio expert is an audio engineer or someone with training in audio analysis. Although these individuals may be knowledgeable, their approach is mainly subjective, whereas an expert applies an objective process that prioritizes evidence integrity.
Advanced audio recorders can be used in remote areas, like phones, tablets, or hidden recorders. However, when these recordings are placed poorly in an environment with noise, they introduce issues. Therefore, a qualified expert can fix these issues using repeatable methods for courtroom use.
Audio enhancement is the processing and filtering of audio recordings to improve the signal quality and intelligibility of the signals of interest, such as speech, by attenuating noise or otherwise increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. Standard Terminology for Digital and Multimedia Evidence Examination (astm.org)
First, we decide if the recording is good enough to use enhancement techniques. Evaluation is critical to use our client's money wisely.
Secondly, we identify and reduce undesired sounds such as hissing, humming, static, clipping, sirens, wind, HVAC, and other broad-spectrum noises in the recording.
Thirdly, we apply forensic techniques to improve the quality of the recording. Furthermore, the technician, analyst, or expert must document the potential court use process.
Fourth, we increase the wanted signals. in most cases, the audio signals in the human speech frequency range or voice enhancement.
Most importantly, processes applied are documented for repeatability and admissibility under expert testimony requirements.
Finally, an Audio Forensic Expert reverse-engineers and verifies the investigation to ensure the recording is accurate.
Moreover, our tools can extract audio signals from video files as well. Specificaly, we use the most up-to-date tools and court-admissible methods to ensure accuracy of voice enhancement and maintain signal integrity. Most importantly, these processes are completed in a calibrated, isolated, and acoustically optimized environment.
For example, this advanced tool maintains the atmosphere of a recording to amplify the speech. Overall, it is designed to divide dialogue from environmental sounds like pedestrians, cars, walking, climate, or other sounds.
Our advanced tools provide echo cancellation, which reduces reverberance. Specifically, this process is most effective on recordings created in larger spaces where echo limits speech intelligibility.
An expert reduces unwanted sounds with a noise profile, which is called noise reduction or background noise reduction. Most importantly, this process does not affect important signals like dialogue.
Critical listening is the cornerstone of audio forensics because audio experts are trained as audio engineers first. Therefore, audio experts have highly trained ears that can pick up crucial audio sections that need to be enhanced.
Equalization is a process that reduces unwanted frequencies and enhances needed ones. For instance, with distracting frequencies reduced/removed, audio enhancement experts can perform other procedures smoothly.
Traditionally, compressing the sound raises the volume levels and balances them for clarity. Therefore, experts may use compression and gates to boost the sound and reduce any remaining unwanted noise.
In conclusion, for court admissible audio enhancement services, trust Primeau Forensics. We use the best scientific practices to enhance recordings without compromising authenticity. Most importantly, we document our procedures and present facts without bias. Above all, our audio experts identify critical dialogue and accurately report it.
