This book provides an expert introduction to audio forensics, an
essential specialty in modern forensic science, equipping readers with
the fundamental background necessary to understand and participate in
this exciting and important field of study. Modern audio forensic
analysis combines skills in digital signal processing, the physics of
sound propagation, acoustical phonetics, audio engineering, and many
other fields. Scientists and engineers who work in the field of audio
forensics are called upon to address issues of authenticity, quality
enhancement, and signal interpretation for audio evidence that is
important to a criminal law enforcement investigation, an accident
investigation board, or an official civil inquiry.
Expertise in audio forensics has never been more important. In addition
to routine recordings from emergency call centers and police radio
dispatchers, inexpensive portable audio/video recording systems are now
in widespread use. Forensic evidence from the scene of a civil or
criminal incident increasingly involves dashboard recorders in police
cars, vest-pocket personal recorders worn by law enforcement officers,
smart phone recordings from bystanders, and security surveillance
systems in public areas and businesses. Utilizing new research findings
and both historical and contemporary casework examples, this book blends
audio forensic theory and practice in an informative and readable manner
suitable for any scientifically-literate reader. Extensive examples,
supplementary material, and authoritative references are also included
for those who are interested in delving deeper into the field.
