Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
SPA 2014
Forensic Applications of
Speech Science
Fall 2009
Instructor: Assistant Professor James Harnsberger, Ph.D.
Email: jharns@ufl.edu
Office: 46 Dauer Hall
Phone: 352-273-3720
Course Schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 1:55pm – 2:45pm, Turlington 2336
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4pm - 5 pm, or by appointment
Teaching Assistant: Anna Rowe (annarowe@ufl.edu)
Important Links:
1)
Course
Description:
One of the many tools used
by forensic scientists in solving crimes is the analysis of voice recordings. This
course introduces and critiques the various techniques used to analyze voice
samples for various purposes including: tape authentication, speaker
identification, and vocal stress. To
understand these issues, the course begins a description of the key themes,
principles and terminology of phonetics, specifically, the phonation and
articulation of speech and the common acoustic and perceptual correlates of
voice and speech. Part II of the course will expose students to past and
current technical and linguistic methods used in the authentication and
transcription of prerecorded speech samples, including recording media issues,
coping with noise and distortion in recordings, and dialectal and foreign
accents. In the third part of the course, students will study past and
current techniques that have been successful (and not so successful) in the
identification of individual speakers by voice. Finally, Part IV will
focus on auditory and computer methods of detecting different psychological
states from the speech signal, including intoxication, different emotions,
psychological stress, and the intent to deceive.
2)
General
education objectives of the course:
The goal of this course is
to provide students with a basic understanding of forensic applications of
speech science (speech articulation and acoustics). Forensic applications
include tape recording authentication, voice identification, speech
transcription, and the detection of stress and/or deception in speech. Students
who enjoy the class will be encouraged to take further course work in
Linguistics, Psychology, Speech Pathology, or a combination of these, depending
on their interests.
Content Student Learning Outcomes: Students will
(1) Understand the articulatory
and acoustic properties of speech as they relate to forensic work
(2) Explore the issues involved
in the authentication and transcription of recorded speech materials for use in
the courtroom
(3) Review techniques used by
law enforcement officials in identifying a suspect’s voice from a recording
(4) Review techniques developed
by speech scientists in speaker identification
(5) Understand how the human
voice changes in different emotional states
(6) Understand how the human
voice changes when the speaker is under significant psychological stress or
when a speaker is intoxicated
Critical Thinking Student Outcomes: Students will
(1) Analyze the authentication
and transcription of recorded speech materials using actual samples from older
civil and criminal cases
(2) Apply speaker identification
techniques to audio samples from older cases
(3) Understand how the human
voice changes under varying degrees of ethanol intoxication, with a case study
on the use of speech evidence in the Exxon Valdeez case
(4) Critique commercial voice
stress analyzers used in law enforcement, the military, and in homeland
security, with a case study on CVSA’s use in the military
(5) Compare lie detection
technology based on the voice with related technologies, including brain
imaging
Communication Student Learning Outcomes: Students
will
(1) Be able to describe and
convey information in the forensic applications of speech science in terms
appropriate to the discipline
(2) Understand how final reports
from forensic phoneticians are organized and developed
4)
Materials:
a. Recommended Textbooks:
·
Online readings
5)
Graded
Assignments/Projects:
a)
Three tests 75%
total
b)
Cumulative
Final Project 10%
c)
Lab
Assignments 15%
6)
Grading
Policy
|
A |
Exams, quizzes, or
assignments can be made up or taken late at a common time designated by
the professor. The final exam is optional – if taken, it would be
averaged with the other test grades. Students are expected
to adhere to the University of Florida academic honesty guidelines.
Failure to do so may result in judicial procedures as specified in the
guidelines: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/honestybrochure.htm. |
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A- |
90-93 |
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B+ |
87-89 |
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B |
84-86 |
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B- |
80-83 |
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C+ |
77-79 |
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|
C |
74-76 |
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|
C- |
70-73 |
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D+ |
67-69 |
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|
D |
64-66 |
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|
D- |
60-63 |
||
|
E |
0-59 |
7)
Academic
Honesty Policy
Academic
dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Students suspected of
violating the University’s policies on academic honesty will be dealt with in
accordance with procedures outlined by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs.
If you have not done so already, please familiarize yourself with the University's
policy on academic dishonesty.
Cheating. The improper taking or tendering of any
information or material, which shall be
used to determine academic credit. Taking of information includes, but is not
limited to, copying graded homework assignments from another student; working
together with another individual(s) on a take-home test or homework when not
specifically permitted by the teacher; looking or attempting to look at another
student's paper during an examination; looking or attempting to look at text or
notes during an examination when not permitted. Tendering of information includes,
but is not limited to, giving your work to another student to be used or
copied; giving someone answers to exam questions either when the exam is being
given or after taking an exam; giving or selling a term paper or other written
materials to another student; sharing information on a graded assignment.
Plagiarism. The attempt to represent the work of another as the
product of one's own thought, whether the other's work is published or
unpublished, or simply the work of a fellow student. Plagiarism includes, but
is not limited to, quoting oral or written materials without citation on an
exam, term paper, homework, or other written materials or oral presentations
for an academic requirement; submitting a paper which was purchased from a term
paper service as your own work; submitting anyone else's paper as your own
work.
Bribery. The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting any
materials, items or services of value to gain academic advantage for yourself
or another.
Misrepresentation. Any act or omission with intent to deceive a teacher
for academic advantage. Misrepresentation includes using computer programs
generated by another and handing it in as your own work unless expressly
allowed by the teacher; lying to a teacher to increase your grade; lying or
misrepresenting facts when confronted with an allegation of academic honesty.
Conspiracy. The planning or acting with one or more persons to
commit any form of academic dishonesty.
Fabrication. The use of invented or fabricated information, or the
falsification of research or
other findings with the intent to deceive for academic or professional
advantage.
8)
Special
Needs and Counseling Services
The University of Florida, under the guidelines of ADA
and 504 federal legislation, is required to make reasonable accommodations to
the known physical and mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals
with disabilities. To help provide the best possible service to students,
staff, faculty and visitors, the University
of Florida has an Americans
with Disabilities Act Office with a coordinator responsible for
access for persons with disabilities. The ADA
coordinator assists anyone with questions about access. See http://www.ada.ufl.edu/office/ada.htm
for more information
Other
resources:
q Campus Alcohol and Drug Resource Center (302 Student
Health Center, 392-1161, ext. 4281).
q University Counseling Center (301 Peabody Hall,
392-1575)
q Student Mental Health Services (245 Student Health
Center, 392-1171).
q .Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student
Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling
q Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career
development assistance and counseling
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Last
Updated 08-24-09 |
