Hartman Audio Forensics HAF Hartman Audio Forensics Consultation

Expert Litigation Support

Audio Forensics:
Authentication and Enhancement

Scientific authentication, enhancement, and analysis of digital audio evidence. Rigorous methodologies designed to withstand cross-examination in legal proceedings.

Contact Form Our Services
  • Daubert Compliant
  • AVFA Certified
  • AES Member
  • SWGDE Compliant
  • Privileged & Confidential
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48,000 Hz / 24-bit
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STATUS
AUTHENTICATED

Core Capabilities

Forensic Audio Services

01

Authentication

Verification of file integrity to determine if digital audio recordings are original, continuous, and unaltered. Detection of generative AI synthesis, manipulative edits, and metadata anomalies.

02

Enhancement

Non-destructive isolation of speech from masking noise using adaptive filtering and spectral repair protocols. Objective improvement of signal-to-noise ratio for trier of fact intelligibility.

03

Forensic Voice Comparison

Acoustic and phonetic comparison of questioned voice samples against known exemplars, including controlled collection of high-fidelity known recordings. Findings are expressed within a likelihood ratio framework rather than as categorical identifications.

04

Transcription

Generation of highly accurate evidentiary transcripts from low-intelligibility recordings. Includes detailed confidence interval notation and precise forensic timestamps.

05

Expert Testimony

Clear, objective translation of complex acoustic phenomena for juries and judges. Defensible conclusions supported by verifiable scientific literature and peer-reviewed methods.

06

Litigation Consulting

Review of opposing expert reports to identify methodological flaws, confirmation bias, or deviations from standard scientific practices. Assistance with cross-examination preparation.

Defensible Workflow

Scientific Methodology

01

Intake

Secure evidentiary handoff, chain of custody initialization, and initial case scoping.

02

Preservation

Bit-for-bit forensic cloning, cryptographic hashing, and metadata extraction.

03

Analysis

Non-destructive processing, spectrographic analysis, and structural inspection.

04

Reporting

Delivery of formal, peer-reviewable documentation and demonstrative exhibits.

The Value

Principal Audio Forensics Expert

Hartman Audio Forensics provides objective, unbiased analysis of audio evidence for civil and criminal litigation. The firm operates strictly within established scientific boundaries, rejecting subjective interpretation in favor of empirical measurement.

Methodologies align with current guidelines set forth by the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE). All processes are documented meticulously to ensure repeatability and verifiability by opposing technical experts.

Certified
Audio Video Forensic Analyst (AVFA)
Active Member
Audio Engineering Society (AES)
Protocol Adherence
SWGDE Best Practices in Forensic Audio
§ 702

All analytical procedures are designed to meet or exceed the Daubert standard for the admissibility of expert witness testimony. Methodologies are peer-reviewed, possess known error rates, and are generally accepted within the relevant scientific community.

Evidentiary Standard
Federal Rules of Evidence

Inquiries

Forensic Audio FAQ

Are your methods Daubert compliant?
Yes. All methodologies employed rely on peer-reviewed scientific principles, have known error rates, and are generally accepted within the acoustic and forensic science communities. Reports are structured specifically to survive admissibility challenges.

How is chain of custody maintained?
Evidence is logged immediately upon receipt. Cryptographic hashes (SHA-256) are generated for all digital files to establish a baseline. Physical media is secured in environmentally controlled, restricted-access storage. Working copies are generated for analysis, preserving the original evidence in its exact state.

Do you work for prosecution or defense?
Hartman Audio Forensics maintains strict retention neutrality. Analysis is objective and data-driven regardless of the retaining party. The physics of sound dictate the findings, ensuring unbiased reporting.

What file formats can you analyze?
We process all standard uncompressed (WAV, AIFF, FLAC) and compressed (MP3, AAC, M4A) formats, as well as proprietary law enforcement dispatch logs, 911 dispatch systems, voicemail exports, body-worn camera audio streams, and all other types of audio files.

What is the typical turnaround time?
Standard analysis completion is 5 to 10 business days from evidence intake. Expedited processing for imminent trial dates is available subject to current caseload constraints.

Contact

Get in Touch

Direct Communication

(515) 669-7610
seth@hartmanaudioforensics.com

Strict Confidentiality

All initial consultations and communications are held in strict confidence. Engagements are structured with retaining counsel to preserve attorney work product protection, and sensitive litigation materials are handled under documented chain of custody procedures.