NCJ Number
79391
Journal
Trial Volume: 17 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1981) Pages: 61-64,85-86
Date Published
1981
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reviews techniques currently being developed and refined for speaker identification in tape recordings.
Abstract
These various techniques have been classified into three general areas: (1) speaker recognition by listening (SRL), (2) speaker recognition by machine (SRM), and (3) speaker recognition by visual inspection of spectrograms (SRS). Cases which have appeared in court from 1966 through 1978 that used speaker identification techniques have involved crimes such as threats of murder, robbery, or bombing; conspiracy to commit extortion, to defraud, or to violate gambling laws; and armed robbery. Controversy exists over the admission of spectrographic evidence in the courts. One of the main issues centers on the acceptance of the technique of speaker identification according to the 1923 decision in Frye v. United States, which concerns whether the relevant scientific community has accepted the use of a particular technique. The article concludes that the development of speaker identification techniques is in a preliminary stage but that in the future a need for certification of individuals in forensic communication probably will arise. A total of 28 reference notes are supplied.