Customer Reviews

The Acoustics of Crime: The New Science of Forensic Phonetics (Applied Psycholinguistics and Communication Disorders)

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This is by far the most comprehensive and well-documented study there is anywhere of methods and implications of acoustic and phonetic analysis of speech, gunshots, tape authentication, and other evaluations that form a part of evidence for law enforcement and courtroom judgments. Dr. Hollien is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable, scientifically rigorous, and experimentally-driven forensic phonetician in the USA. While other experts may merely design automatic algorithms for speech analyis, or conduct an occasional small study to show the merit of their own or colleague methods, Hollien has devoted his career to an ongoing comprehensive and well structured experimental study of speech analysis and interpretations. This book is packed with suitable theory, analysis of vectors or parameters that assist in acoustic decisions, reviews of extensive relevant literature, and practical descriptions of detailed methods used in forensic communications. While somewhat dated by its early publication, this review of the growing field of forensic phonetics is an essential resource for speech and acoustics practitioners, lawyers, judges, and those guiding projects in forensic sciences that require scientific and probative acoustic information. I have personally found this book one of the best I have used in defining and administering forensic science training and plans for ensuring that true science and experience is behind the work that is undertaken for legal purposes.