Wecht Institute Looks at the Importance of Audio Forensics

The relatively new but growing discipline of audio forensics, which involves the acquisition, analysis and evaluation of sound recordings, will be the focus of the semester’s first Forensic Fridays seminar.

Presented by the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law, Audio Forensics from JFK to Trayvon Martin will be held on Friday, Sept. 9, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Africa Room of the Union.

“An often overlooked weapon in the arsenal of criminal investigators and litigators, audio forensics may ultimately be presented as evidence in a court of law,” explained Ben Wecht, program coordinator for the institute. “This seminar will introduce members of the criminal justice community, audiophiles and others to this field through a combination of technical presentations and case studies pertaining to the Trayvon Martin shooting, the shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police and aspects of the JFK and RFK assassinations.”

The seminar will provide insight into the uses of acoustic evidence, including the importance of audio in a video recording, how that evidence is interpreted through scientific theories and subjective opinions, and the role of acoustic evidence in litigation.

Presenters at the seminar include:

• Ed and Mike Primeau, national forensic experts
• Don Maue, sound designer
• Tom Kikta, audio forensic expert witness.

Audio Forensics from JFK to Trayvon Martin, which is also available online via distance learning, is approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Board for 6 hours of substantive CLE credit and by the Pennsylvania Coroners Education Board for 6 hours of Coroners Continuing Education credit. Scholarships are also available.

For more information, including cost and registration, call 412.396.1330, email wechtinstitute@duq.edu or visit www.duq.edu/forensics.