Enhancing and transcribing indistinct forensic audio: From problems to solutions?

The Victorian Chapter Council of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences invites you to join its first plenary presentation of the year.

Recent years have seen increasing acknowledgement of problems with enhancing and transcribing indistinct recorded speech used as evidence in criminal trials.  This presentation turns to solutions.  A key element of any solution is recognition that the problems arise not from how enhancements and transcripts are created, but from how they are evaluated.

Professor Helen Fraser will review relevant scientific findings, and consider how these can be harnessed for forensic purposes - then discuss what reforms are needed to ensure the courts are not 'assisted' by misleading interpretations of forensic audio. Professor Fraser studied phonetics and related topics at the University of Edinburgh, then taught for many years at the University of New England (NSW).  Prof Fraser is known for her pioneering research in forensic transcription, sparked by direct observation of actual and potential injustice in the use of indistinct covert recordings in criminal trials.

Guests are invited to join a dinner from 6.45pm at a location to be confirmed.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

This is an in-person event and will also be available online via Zoom.