If there are tape recordings involved in an investigation or case, the recordings should be accurately transcribed and the transcripts thoroughly reviewed to identify key data.

The most efficient and accurate way to conduct a thorough review of tape recorded material is to have an unbiased forensic laboratory prepare the following:

1. A time-indexed verbatim transcript.
2. A computer disk that contains the source data for the time-indexed verbatim transcript.
3. A direct copy of the tape recording in a compact disc (CD-R) format whose track numbers are indexed to minutes.
4. If the tape recording is hard to understand, an Enhanced Copy of the tape recording in a Compact Disc (CD-R) format whose track numbers are indexed to minutes.

The law firm or investigative agency should review the time-indexed verbatim transcripts and mark all favorable, unfavorable, and prejudicial information, as well as, names, places, dates, time and other data known to be important in the case.

After this "key" data has been located and indexed in the transcript, the reviewer should verify that the transcript is accurate at each point where there is key data and that the "key" data can be heard on the direct copy CD-R. The key data must be understandable. The Court may not allow the transcript to be used or may hold that the transcript can only be used as a guide by the jury and instruct the jury to only consider things they hear when the tape recording is played. Since the transcript and the direct CD-R copy are both indexed to playing time, and since CD-R's have random access playback (can go directly to any indexed track and time and start playing), the reviewer can efficiently verify if the key data is present and can be clearly heard on the direct CD-R copy.

If the direct copy CD-R is hard to understand, the reviewer should check the enhanced copy CD-R and determine if the key data can be clearly heard on this copy. (Remember that a person/judge/jury/and or individual may not have normal hearing. If you cannot clearly hear the key data, custom enhancement of these indexed statements should be considered.)

When an entire tape recording is enhanced, compromises must usually be made in the enhancement set-up. If an identified statement needs to be enhanced, the enhancement process can be optimized for this specific statement - not the entire tape.

In addition, if new information is identified during the investigation or case preparations, the reviewer can install the source data for the time-indexed transcript in a computer and search the transcript for the additional key words/phases in a few minutes. Even during a hearing or trial, if new information surfaces, the source data for the transcripts can be quickly searched (by computer) and it determined if the key data was discussed on the tape recording and exactly where this key data is located in the time-indexed verbatim transcripts.

This procedure saves the reviewer from listening to a "noisy" tape recording many times to identify key data. Instead, the reviewer can review the time-indexed transcript and quickly identify key data and its exact location. Then the reviewer can verify the accuracy of the transcript and determine if the key statement can be clearly heard by going directly to and playing the key statement on the CD-R. If there are any inaccuracies, they can be resolved at this time. If the statement is hard to understand, the enhanced copy can be reviewed. If the enhanced copy is hard to understand, custom processing (enhancement) of each key statement can be performed.

The above transcription/tape copying procedure is the most efficient, accurate and thorough that is available anywhere.

Return