Hawk Risk Protection offers Forensic Voice Analysis services to help with hearings and investigations. FVAS is a voice biometrics program used for law enforcement and criminal identification. It analyzes audio evidence accurately by applying voice biometrics technology in a way that makes it easier to work with audio evidence.
What are Audio Forensics and why and how can it be used?
Audio forensics is a branch of forensic science focused on the acquisition, analysis, and evaluation of sound recordings, which may be used as admissible evidence in legal proceedings or other official contexts. Essentially, audio forensics involves the scientific analysis and processing of audio sources. The rationale behind this field can be illustrated by detailing the services provided by Hawk Risk Forensics:
- 1. Authentication of the audio evidence:
Mainly Audio Forensics centres around the enhancement of audio clarity from the original audio source (to improve speech intelligibility and the audibility of the low levels sounds). This process includes inter alia filtering of unwanted sounds and the identification and elimination of known and unknown exemplars from recordings – usually for investigative purposes (as previously mentioned in our definition).
- 2. Interpreting and documenting sonic evidence (Audio Forensic Transcription)
A forensic transcript is a complete and accurate documentation of the words spoken in evidence recording. Once the authenticity has been established all evidence are professionally documented. This process includes Transcribing dialog.
- 3. Pre-trial preparation and presenting the report (investigative guidance).
In conjunction with our Media and Entertainment Attorney Practise, we can assist attorneys, government agencies and courts with pre-trail preparation and presenting the report (investigative guidance).
What are typical examples of audio sources?
Audio and video evidence can be found at more locations and from more diverse sources than ever before. From malls to restaurants, banks, - CCTV systems are virtually everywhere. Cell phone cameras extend a watchful eye to nearly every corner. Audio evidence may be available from call-centre calls, telephone answering machines, voicemail recordings, video cameras, cell phones and computer files. Other sources may include courtroom recordings, confidential informant, wire recordings.
What makes Hawk Audio Forensics different?
- Apart from having combined experience of 45 years in the professional audio field, when it comes to expert witness testimony, we have the knowledge to assist.
- We have experience in criminal cases.
- Previous cases include fraudulent activities of billions of rands in the government sector.
- Before choosing an audio forensic practice, ask if they are willing to provide expert witness testimony in a court of law.
- At Hawk Audio Forensics, we have a 100% success rate.
- Our clients include the largest insurance companies in South Africa, leading attorney practices and other corporate clients.
- Our forensic practice is a member of/affiliated with the largest and oldest forensic and other authoritative associations globally.
If you need to do a criminal check or fingerprint search, we are authorised to run searches on the Afiswitch database. Afiswitch provides a national electronic criminal record check against the South African Police Service criminal fingerprint database.
Benefits of FVAS:
- There’s no artificial waiting time between questions as the micro-tremor recovers instantly
- No physical attachments are connected to the subject, making it more hygienic. The subject is free to move around during the examination resulting in a much friendlier examination in terms of how it interacts with the subject
- All FVAS results are conclusive
- Alcohol, drugs, age and health does not have an impact on results
- Pregnant woman can be tested
- An unlimited number of questions can be asked during testing (Protocol dependent)
- An unlimited number of examinations can be conducted on a subject during a day
- An unlimited number of issues can be addressed with a subject during a day
- Can analyze "yes or no" answers and phrases or entire sentences
- FVAS integrity examinations, following a proper pre-test interview, is very accurate. The figures most often cited are in the 95% - 98% range
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