FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Effect of Specific Data Variations on Forensic Speaker Recognition Results

Describe

the need:

Studies are needed on the effects of key environmental, behavioral, and recording variations on 

the output and reliability of forensic speaker recognition methods. Variations of interest include 

sample duration; speech quality; vocal effort; speaker stress/mental state/health; added 

background speech, singing, or chanting; reverberation and room acoustics; aging.

Keyword(s): Forensic speaker recognition, audio recording, extrinsic variations, intrinsic variations

Submitting subcommittee(s): Speaker Recognition Date Approved: February 26, 2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes - this research will determine the effects of key environmental, behavioral, and recording variations on the output 

and reliability of forensic speaker recognition (FSR) methods. This could consist of multiple short “triage” studies 

followed by more in-depth research on the most important factors they identify and are not already being addressed 

in other forensic-focused research activities.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

There is some ongoing research pertinent to forensic activities by both commercial and academic entities which has 

not been published. Factors of interest include sample duration; speech quality; vocal effort; speaker stress/mental 

state/health; added background speech, singing, or chanting; reverberation and room acoustics; longitudinal voice 

changes (aging).

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

TBD

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

No.
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 2

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Almost all FSR analysis requests include the audio and recording variations of interest, so the determination of their 

effect on FSR methods’ results will help (1) determine when analyses should or should not be performed, and (2) 

allow analysts to better determine and document the reliability of their results.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

This research relates to key issues related to the scientific basis of FSR. While research has been performed on these 

factors in the past, it was rarely focused on forensic scenarios (vice simplified research problems) and used simplified 

data sets which are often not representative of forensic data.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

This research would greatly strengthen the scientific basis and court acceptability of FSR techniques, allowing their 

wider use in the criminal justice system.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): II

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.