VOICE COMPARISON AND SPEAKER RECOGNITION
An unidentified voice recording can be the difference between a winning or losing case. At Primeau Forensics, we provide speaker recognition and forensic voice comparison (FVC) for scientific speaker discernment.
WHAT IS FORENSIC VOICE COMPARISON?
Forensic voice comparison uses a known voice sample to scientifically compare with an unknown voice sample to determine the speaker’s likelihood ratio. For example, law enforcement may have a suspect and ask for a voice comparison against an unidentified phone call.
VOICE COMPARISON ANALYSIS METHODS
FVC can be challenging because voices aren’t entirely unique and can change under various circumstances. A voice comparison expert also has to contend with technological limitations such as telephone frequencies and background noises.
The language a person uses, intoxication and emotional responses all change the sound of a person’s voice. An individual may even try to disguise their voice in certain scenarios. Amidst these circumstances, voice comparison experts have to look at notable patterns and similarities to compare speakers which include format, tone, pitch, dialect, accent etc.
Take a look at some of the forensic methods we use.
EXEMPLAR RECORDING
This first step in forensic voice comparison is critical to the voice analysis process. The exemplar recording is audio from the suspected speaker on the presented evidence. Once an expert has the exemplar file, they can begin their comparison.
CRITICAL LISTENING
In any realm of forensic audio, an expert needs to apply critical listening. Voice comparison experts hone this skill with training and experience.
While some people have very distinct, atypical speech patterns, not everyone does. Experts will listen for notable pauses, pronunciations, dialect characteristics and rhythm on both recordings during the critical listening stage.
FREQUENCY AND WAVEFORM ANALYSIS
This step in voice comparison involves looking at the audio files of the presented speakers. During this stage, experts can examine the frequencies and waveforms of a person’s voice. While behavioral and technological limitations may exist, they can use this analysis to identify similarities in single words or sounds.
BIOMETRIC TESTING
Voice biometrics is a way of translating a voice into a visual fingerprint. With the right technology, experts can create these fingerprints and look for shared physical characteristics between voices. This process applies to the full length of the audio clips and short segments.
AN UNBIASED APPROACH TO VOICE RECORDING ANALYSIS FOR USE IN COURT
After completing these tests, analysts will determine the likelihood ratio to the unknown voice. This decision is based on a percentage of certainty reached during the analysis.
At Primeau Forensics, we apply voice forensic best practices that the scientific community supports and endorses. We focus on legitimacy and facts — when you contact us for forensic voice comparison, we can use our findings to testify in court with transparency and clarity.
CONTACT PRIMEAU FORENSICS FOR VOICE COMPARISON ANALYSIS
Primeau Forensics has nearly four decades of experience in the industry. Our forensic experts are trained under law enforcement and prepared to testify in court should you want our expertise. With continuing education and a dedication to science, we’re prepared to handle your forensic needs.
Contact us online or call us at (800) 647-4281 today to learn more about our voice comparison analysis.
