Forensic Speech Sciences: A Practical Approach

This contributed volume focuses on the scientific analysis of human speech and voice for identifying individuals in criminal investigations. This book explores the conceptual and methodological framework of forensic speaker identification, integrating elements of phonetics, linguistics, and acoustic analysis. It provides insights into objective speech parameters used in speaker profiling, voice mapping, and authentication.

With the growing use of mobile communication and the increasing number of voice-based crimes such as kidnapping, ransom, extortion, and terrorism, speech evidence has become critical. Traditional tape-based methods posed limitations such as background noise and data tampering. Advancements in speech science, acoustics, forensic phonetics, and computer algorithms have led to reliable software tools for speaker identification. This book outlines the theoretical principles, interdisciplinary approaches, and practical techniques, including real case studies, that demonstrate the efficacy of forensic speech analysis as credible, court-admissible evidence.

This book is valuable for students pursuing forensic science at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as law enforcement professionals, legal practitioners, and speech scientists involved in criminal investigations.

Dr. Vijay Kumar is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology at Amity University Haryana. He is the leading faculty member who established and commenced Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology academic program at Amity University Haryana. He has over 19 years of teaching experience at postgraduate and undergraduate level for ASLP/Psychology/MBA-HR and Forensic science students. He is also supervising six PhD scholars. Forensic Speech Science, Language processing, Cognitive processes, Aphasiology, Language outcome in Cochlear Implantation etc. are his core research areas. Dr Vijay has received outstanding research scholar award from Ohio University, USA in 2009. He has published 59 research papers in Scopus/Web of Science and other indexed journals and presented over 52 research papers at national and international conferences such as Academy of Aphasia and Clinical Aphasiology Conference, USA. Besides, he has also published 9 book chapters in leading publishers. He is empanelled as the visiting expert of Rehabilitation Council of India, an autonomous body of Govt. of India since 2014. Dr Vijay is also the Board of Studies and Academic Council member of eight leading Indian Universities. 

Dr. Leena Bhardwaj started her academic career in 2010 from Babu Banarasi das University Lucknow, where she joined as Lecturer in the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology. She further strengthens her clinical proficiency by achieving certification at Advanced Proficiency in Laser Dentistry from Arizona, USA in the year 2011. Further she pursued her academic career in Forensic Odontology and Genomics in Forensic Odontology and Genomics with pioneering scientist and Forensic Pathologist Dr T D Dogra at CFSl, CBI, New Delhi. She explored Cyber Forensics, Forensic Ballistics and Investigative Psychology. She is certified Cyber Crime Intervention Officer (CCIO & CPEW) from AICTE, and Expert in Lean Management Practices certified from IIM Bangalore in collaboration of Japan. Currently she is serving at Amity University Haryana in Amity School of Applied Sciences as an Assistant Professor since 2022. She has published 37 research papers and book chapters in Scopus and other indexed journals in the domain of forensic sciences. She authored two textbooks highlighting teaching-learning practices and Cell modelling and genomics. Besides, she has also filed 12 patents in the domain of multidisciplinary bio-medical sciences.

Dr. Tirath Das Dogra is a former director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi and an authority on forensic medicine. Dr Dogra was a member of the Medical Council of India from December 2013 till its dissolution in September 2018. Dogra was President of National Medicos Organization Delhi State from 2012 to 2017. He was a member of the TEQ-Equivalence committee and the Administration and Grievance committee of the Medical Council of India. He was a member of the Advisory committee on MOOC's program of University Grants Commission of India New Delhi. Dr Dogra was emeritus professor of forensic medicine and forensic sciences, professor of Andragogy and educational philosophy and advisor, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at SGT University Gurgaon till January 2022. Prof Dogra is a member of the Rehabilitation Council of India. He has been involved in medico-legal investigations of high-profile cases throughout India. Dr Dogra has presented his medico-legal opinion in cases concerning to three prime ministers: Indira Gandhi, Charan Singh and Rajiv Gandhi. He was deposed as a medical witness in the Mahesh Chandra Trial Court for Indira Gandhi's assassination for the prosecution. His areas of interest have been DNA profiling, population genetics, bioethics, medical education, forensic psychiatrics and crime scene investigations.