This module provides an introduction to a range of areas such as acoustics, human hearing, sound recording, signal processing and analysis that underpin the technical areas of forensic speech science. We will discover how this fundamental knowledge is applied in casework, including enhancement, authentication and automatic speaker recognition. We will develop practical auditory and technical analysis skills and examine a variety of real casework materials.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Students will be able to:
Describe how sounds are produced, affected by the environment, and heard by human listeners.
Describe and explain the operation of each element in the audio recording chain.
Select and use appropriate methods, equipment and settings for recording, encoding and analysing audio data.
Use software to analyse audio recordings, determine their characteristics, and perform a range of enhancement and authentication tasks.
Evaluate recording and analysis techniques in terms of their suitability and limitations in a forensic casework setting.
Perform automatic speaker comparisons in software following best practice.
Assess the performance of forensic audio processing techniques, including audio enhancement and automatic speaker recognition.
Lecture topics include:
Acoustics
Hearing
Sound recording
Signal processing and analysis
Audio enhancement
Authentication
Automatic speaker recognition
Practical session topics include:
Auditory assessment of acoustic environments
Acoustic environments around campus
Making recordings
Characterising recordings
Enhancing audio
Editing recordings and authentication tests
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
None
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Formative lab report - marks and written feedback within 2 weeks
Summative lab report - marks and written feedback within 25 working days
Summative exam - marks within 25 working days
Drygajlo, A., Jessen, M., Gfroerer, S., Wagner, I., Vermeulen, J. and Niemi, T. (2015). Methodological Guidelines for Best Practice in Forensic Semiautomatic and Automatic Speaker Recognition. ENFSI.
Howard, David and Murphy, Damian (2008). Voice science, acoustics and recording. San Diego; Oxford: Plural Publishing.
Johnson, Keith (2011). Acoustic and Auditory Phonetics (3rd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Maher, R. (2018). Principles of Forensic Audio Analysis. Cham: Springer.
Rumsey, F and McCormick, T (2009). Sound and Recording. Oxford: Focal Press.
Zjalic, J. (2020). Digital Audio Forensics Fundamentals: From Capture to Courtroom. Focal Press.