Audio and Video Analysis

Services

Within the RCMP’s Technical Operations are specialists who conduct forensic examinations and analyses of audio and video recordings and give expert testimony for court purposes.

Specifically, the Audio and Video Analysis program provides the following services:

• enhancement of audio recordings to improve the intelligibility of voices or assist in the identification of sounds in the recording;
• enhancement of video recordings to make aspects of the image easier to see or to de-multiplex a video so that only a given scene is viewed;
• comparison of voices to provide corroborating evidence as to whether or not two recorded voices are one and the same person;
• authentication of audio and video recordings to determine if a recording has been tampered with either electronically or manually;
• examination of audio and video recordings to determine whether a recording is a copyrighted original or an unauthorized copy;
• analysis of sounds such as gun shots;
• repair of physically damaged tapes and recovery of previously recorded material;
• consultation services to crown counsels regarding audio & video recording evidence; and
• giving expert testimony for court purposes.

Clients Served

Clients include investigators from the RCMP, Canadian police services, other federal or provincial investigating agencies and, on occasion, investigators from international police services or agencies. Typically about 70% of the caseload is work for the RCMP.

Expertise

The analysts, who have extensive education and training, are prepared to appear in court cases as expert witnesses.

Submitting One or More Exhibits for Analysis

• Make a copy of the original to keep and submit the original for analysis.
• To avoid damage, ensure that the exhibit is properly identified, sealed in an exhibit bag and well-padded.
• Provide a digital transcript of all recordings.
• Include your complete mailing address and telephone number.

If you plan to submit exhibits to determine whether they are recordings of the same voice (voice comparison examinations), please contact the Audio and Video Analysis group before making the submission; the recordings have to meet strict criteria.

Police services seeking assistance with audio and video recordings may contact the Audio and Video Analysis program with an email to the RCMP.

The Audio and Video Analysis program is part of the Technical Investigation Services organization.