Forensic Audio Transcription Services
WHAT IS FORENSIC AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION?
Forensic audio transcription is the scientific observation of words under controlled conditions derived from an enhanced audio recording. Audio enhancement is the process of reducing unwanted sounds and enhancing the wanted sounds. For example, dialogue is frequently enhanced within an audio evidence recording. If the dialogue is still difficult to interpret, then the audio transcription services and forensic transcript are tools used by an expert as to what was said.
Within the transcript, the term “unintelligible” is used when the intelligibility of the dialogue cannot be discerned.
THE FORENSIC APPROACH
The major difference between a transcript created by a transcriptionist and audio transcription service by a forensics expert is the person behind the headphones. An expert like myself goes deeper than simply listening. In other words, the expert also analyzes the audio in layers using various filter arrangements and processes. Often times I have to analyze details of the recording such as syllables and formats of words in a spectrogram which is a display of the sound.
As a forensic expert, I have listened to thousands of audio recordings over the course of my 35 years in the field. I have enhanced them forensically using processes that are accepted in the scientific community. I have a very keen sense of hearing shaped and developed using critical listening skillset.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES FOR VIDEO
Often times I am asked to enhance or clarify an audio signal from a video recording as well as transcribe it. I apply the same policies and procedures to preserve the integrity and quality of the audio recording for enhancement as well as transcription from a video recording.
Once the recording is enhanced, sometimes the video may require subtitles for the viewer or trier of fact to better make determinations from. This makes the video exhibit very powerful for presentation to court.
AUDIO/VIDEO WORK PRODUCT IN COURT
Once the video exhibit has been completed, concerns may arise upon submission of the exhibit to the courtroom. These concerns include the courtroom not fully knowing or understanding what enhancement processes were applied when generating the exhibit. Audio expert witness testimony can accompany the exhibit with the video exhibit, transcript, and any opinions offered in order to establish the authenticity of the transcribed recording or video exhibit. The exhibit then becomes valuable based on its multi-functionality. Not to mention, it was created based on a scientific foundation for the trier of fact.
Audio transcription services help support the evidence in your case. Just because we can hear something in the lab, doesn’t mean it’s going to be easily reproduced to the trier of fact accurately. This is why we also accompany our expert testimony with high-quality playback equipment in order for the trier of fact to receive the enhanced audio evidence well.