Report of the meeting of the SC-03-12 Working Group on Forensic Audio of the SC-03 Subcommittee on the Preservation and Restoration of Audio Recording, held in Munich, Germany, 2009-05-09
The meeting was convened by chair E B Brixen.
The agenda and the report of the previous meeting, 2008-10-03, were accepted as written.
Open Projects
AES27-R: Review of AES27-1996 (r2008):AES recommended practice for forensic purposes - Managing recorded audio materials intended for examination Scope: This standard specifies recommended practices for safekeeping, conveyance, inspection, description, and labeling of audio recordings offered as evidence in criminal investigations, in criminal or civil proceedings, or in other forensic applications. For the purposes of this document, magnetic tapes include audio recordings and video recordings based upon magnetic transcription principles, regardless of the physical size, packaging, recording format, recording type (such as analog, digital, frequency-modulation), or recording speed of the tapes. Special practices for non-audio portions of such recordings are beyond the scope of this standard.
This document does not cover analysis of magnetic tapes or other recording media for the purposes of authenticity determination, talker identification, copyright violation, enhancement of oral conversations or other signals, or otherwise characterizing signals recorded on such tapes.
Current status: No action.
Project intent: Review; Initiated: 2008; Target date for completion: 2012
Current goal: Status report; Target date for goal: continuing
AES43-R: Review of AES43-2000: AES standard for forensic audio - Criteria for the authentication of analog audio tape recordings Scope: This standard specifies the minimum procedure for the authentication of analog audio tape recordings intended to be offered as evidence or otherwise utilized in civil, criminal, or other fact finding proceedings. It does not specify or restrict additional testing procedures that can be used.
Current status: No action
Project intent: Review; Initiated: 2005; Target date for completion: 2010
Current goal: Status report; Target date for goal: Continuing
Development projects
AES-X135: Forensic audio - Recordist Audio Evidence Collection Scope: This paper recommends procedures and equipment for the recording of audible evidence. These guidelines are directed to a general audience rather than the community of forensic audio analysts. Its purpose is to benefit those engaged in the collection of audio evidence and to assist them in avoiding known errors.
Current status: Editing.
Project intent: Information document; Initiated: 2002-10; Target date for completion: 2008
Current goal: PWD; Target date for goal: 2009-01
Discussion: The draft version from the last meeting has been reviewed by the standards secretary and a revised version was available to the group: "x135-ptd-wd-090503.doc".
This document was discussed and a number of issues were clarified. It was decided that the document should contain a "Summary of main issues", in principle a one-page summary with bullet points clarifying the practical aspects of the procedures and recommendations in the main document. Non-technical persons should be able to read this and be able to make forensically satisfying recordings. Wes Dooley will produce such a Summary to be discussed during the next meeting in NY, october 2009.
AES-X172: Forensic analysis of Electric Network Frequency (ENF)
Current status: A document from Catalin Grigoras initially published by the European Police Collaboration (ENFSI) is under preparation. This document will form the basis for the further work.
Project intent: Standard; Initiated: 2007-05; Target date for completion:
2008 Current goal: PTD; Target date for goal: 2009-10
Liaisons
Individuals from the standards committee will attend a US Secret Service meeting on the ENF methodology.
New Projects
No new projects were received or proposed.
New Business
There was no new business.
The next meeting will be scheduled in conjunction with the AES 127th Convention in New York, 2009-10.
