Towards the growth of forensic speech science

Forensic speech science is the analysis of speech and audio in the context of legal casework.

Most commonly, this involves the comparison of the voice of an unknown criminal with that of a known suspect to establish whether or not they are the same person.

York is a leading research centre for forensic speech science, having secured £7.8m in research funding and produced 4* REF Impact Case Studies in 2014 and 2021.

York also offers the world’s only MSc course in forensic speech science.

The project, led by Dr Jessica Wormald, will develop three strands of forensic speech science services: 

• CPD training courses: developing a wide range of courses which can be offered across different modes of delivery
• Consultancy: conducting forensic speaker comparison casework
• Consultancy: developing commercial Services providing support to forensic practitioners with the requirements of accreditation, such as proficiency testing and peer review

The project provides a unique and exciting opportunity to utilise our research in forensic speech science for the benefit of the field and to generate further research impact and new income streams.