The road to admissibility of voice identification evidence in the courts of the United States has not been without its potholes. Both aural and spectrographic analysis are combined to form the conclusion about the identity of the voices in question. ![]() No longer limited to the visual comparison of a few words, the comparison of human voices now focuses on every aspect of the words spoken the words themselves, the way the words flow together, and the pauses between them. Voice identification experts are found all over the world. The research, which is still continuing today, demonstrates the validity and reliability of the process when performed by a trained and certified examiner using established, standardized procedures. Today voice identification analysis has matured into a sophisticated identification technique, using the latest technology science has to offer. Thus the battle lines were drawn over the admissibility of voice identification evidence with proponents claiming a valid, reliable identification process and opponents claiming more research must be completed before the process should be used in courtrooms. They felt that the technique should not be used in the courtroom without more documentation. Gradually the process became known to other scientists who voiced concerns, not as to the validity of the analysis, but as to the lack of substantial research demonstrating the reliability of the technique. Due to the newness of the technique there were only a few people in the world who performed voice identification analysis and were capable of explaining it to a court. ![]() Voice comparisons were made solely on the pattern analysis of a few commonly used words. There was also no standardization of how an identification was reached, or even training or qualifications necessary to perform the analysis. In the early days of this identification technique there was little research to support the theory that human voices are unique and could be used as a means for identification. The forensic science of voice identification has come a long way from when it was first introduced in the American courts back in the mid 1960’s.
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