Speaker comparisons in the forensic context. Scientific evidence or subjective opinion?

In forensic speaker comparisons, speech samples from an unknown speaker (relating to a crime) must be compared to speech samples from a suspect, in order to investigate whether or not these samples were produced by the same speaker. Forensic casework of this kind is typically performed by phoneticians.

In this presentation we will take a close look at the present methodology in forensic speaker comparisons and recent developments in this field. This keynote will address the question whether this type of evidence meets the criteria. Ideally, forensic evidence should be based on objective and verifiable facts rather than subjective opinion. We will see to what extent this ideal is the status quo, the near future, or a utopian dream.