FORENSIC AUDIO-VIDEO EXAMINATION AND SPEAKER IDENTIFICATION: INVESTIGATIVE AND EVIDENTIARY CHALLENGES IN INDIA

AUTHOR –YAZHINI V, LL.M., DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL LAW, TAMIL NADU DR. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI

BEST CITATION – YAZHINI V, FORENSIC AUDIO-VIDEO EXAMINATION AND SPEAKER IDENTIFICATION: INVESTIGATIVE AND EVIDENTIARY CHALLENGES IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (9) OF 2026, PG. 312-322, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I936

ABSTRACT:

Technology has changed the way of crimes that are committed and investigated nowadays. In recent years, audio and video recordings are playing an important role as a sources of evidence in criminal investigations. CCTV footage, mobile phone recordings, social media videos, online communications, and voice recordings are frequently used by investigating agencies to identify suspects and understand criminal activities.

Forensic audio-video examination helps the experts to analyse, improve, and verify the authenticity of audio and video recordings. Speaker identification helps investigators to identify a person by comparing voice samples and analysing speech characteristics. These techniques are commonly used in cases involving terrorism, kidnapping, cybercrime, organised crime, corruption, extortion, and financial fraud. They assist investigating agencies in identifying the suspects, reconstructing crime scenes, and collecting reliable evidence.

However, the increasing use of digital evidence has also created many challenges. Audio and video recordings can be edited, manipulated, or fabricated using modern software and artificial intelligence. Deepfake technology has made it easier to create fake voices and videos that looks genuine. Issues relating to authenticity, privacy, reliability, and admissibility of electronic evidence have become major concerns in criminal investigations and court proceedings.

This paper examines the role of forensic audio-video examination and speaker identification in criminal investigations in India. It analyses the methods, tools and techniques used in forensic examination, the importance of digital evidence, and the challenges faced by investigators and courts. The paper also discusses the legal framework governing electronic evidence and important judicial decisions relating to admissibility.

Keywords Forensic Audio Analysis, Video Forensics, Speaker Identification, Electronic Evidence, Criminal Investigation.