Why "Ad Hoc Experts" Should Not Provide Transcripts of Indistinct Forensic Audio, and a Proposal for a Better Approach

Author(s)
French, Peter
Fraser, Helen
Publication Date
2018
Abstract
Indistinct covert audio recordings frequently figure in criminal trials together with transcripts prepared by police officers who have been accorded the status of ad hoc experts on the basis of their prolonged and repeated exposure to the recordings. Drawing on research in linguistic and phonetic science, we explain why such transcripts are highly prone to be unreliable, why they may mislead juries into misinterpreting the contents of the conversations and why current court procedures for mitigating this risk are inadequate. We conclude by outlining a proposal drawn up and endorsed by senior expert linguists for establishing a process whereby reliable transcripts of indistinct covert recordings can be provided for juries.
Citation
Criminal Law Journal, 42(5), p. 298-302
ISSN
0314-1160
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Lawbook Co
Title
Why "Ad Hoc Experts" Should Not Provide Transcripts of Indistinct Forensic Audio, and a Proposal for a Better Approach
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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