Accessibility statement

Forensic phonetics

Aims

This course provides an introduction to the practical, ethical, and legal principles of forensic speech analysis in criminal investigations. Through auditory and instrumental analysis, we will investigate the phonetic parameters which can be useful in the process of identifying an individual speaker. We will discuss and replicate phonetic analysis which has been performed in criminal cases. We will also explore the performance of lay listeners in speaker identification, discussing the problems involved in eliciting and using 'earwitness' evidence in court.

Knowledge outcomes

  • Students will gain a thorough understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues which underpin analysis of speech involved in criminal settings
  • Students will develop an understanding of the problems involved in performing suitable analysis where the available materials are difficult and/or sensitive

Value outcomes

  • Students will develop experience of the practical problems involved in analysis of difficult and sensitive materials
  • Students will learn to appreciate the ethical issues involved in collecting and analysing criminal data, and in presenting the results to a non-specialist audience

Behavioural outcomes

Students will become proficient at and develop competence in the following skills:

  • Analysing data using qualitative, quantitative and statistical methods
  • Graphic and statistical presentation of data
  • Writing professional reports, using standard types of argumentation

This module will be capped at 35.

About this module

  • Module name
    Forensic phonetics
  • Course code
    E/L05H (LAN00005H)
  • Teachers 
    Paul Foulkes
  • Term(s) taught
  • Autumn
  • Credits
    20