Blindspot: An Introduction to Forensic Science and Expert Witness Testimony artwork

17: How to Make Digital Audio Evidence

Blindspot: An Introduction to Forensic Science and Expert Witness Testimony

English - February 12, 2015 19:34 - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings
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Digital Audio Evidence can often be one of the most important pieces of evidence for a case, so it should always be given a great deal of attention. I’m going to cover some tips on how to create the best audio recording possible, whether it’s a police interview, a concealed recording or anything in between. […]

Digital Audio Evidence can often be one of the most important pieces of evidence for a case, so it should always be given a great deal of attention. I’m going to cover some tips on how to create the best audio recording possible, whether it’s a police interview, a concealed recording or anything in between.
One of the most common ways people create digital audio evidence is by using digital audio recorders. Law enforcement will often use them for interrogations and confessions, and sometimes even out in the field as a backup for their dash cam or body cam audio. People outside of law enforcement use them for creating audio evidence as well.
Tips on Creating Digital Audio Recordings

Choose settings on the digital recorder that optimize the quality of the audio and optimize the amount of space on the recorder.Listen and note any extraneous noise present in the area before making the recording. If at all possible, remove this sound or find a way to work around it.Get as close to the desired sound source as possible when creating the audio recording. The closer the microphone is to the sound source, the better the level of the desired signal will be.Make sure the digital audio recorder is in an optimal location. Make sure that the microphone is facing the subject and that the recorder is relatively stable to avoid extra noise. If possible, use an external microphone to get better quality audio.Always create a test recording before the actual recording. Listen back carefully and adjust the settings of the recording and the location of the recorder to make sure it is capturing the highest possible level in the best quality.

Now listen in with Audio and Video Forensic Expert Ed Primeau as he discusses the best practices for creating digital audio evidence.
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