Recorded speech and written texts are increasingly presented as scientific evidence in legal cases. This is due to the fact that the accessibility and anonymity of mobile phones and the internet mean that they are often exploited for criminal acts, but at the same time they leave records which can then be analysed as forensic evidence. This has led to the rapid growth of forensic voice/text comparison as a field of forensic science.

The theories and techniques, which are necessary to analyse linguistic evidence, are introduced and demonstrated, with a particular focus on voice and text as linguistic evidence, using examples taken from various languages. In this course, we overview the process of forensic voice/text comparison, including extraction of individualising information from speech/text samples; modelling of speakers/authors, experimental procedures; calculation of evidential strength and performance assessment. 

Students are expected to demonstrate that they can appropriately apply their acquired skills and knowledge to actual linguistic data extracted from various languages, and then that they can provide an in-depth analysis of the data. They are also expected to critically discuss the results of the analysis by referring to the current issues of forensic voice/text comparison.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Critically evaluate different methodologies used in forensic voice/text comparisons;
   
2. Demonstrate high level analytical skills required for forensic voice/text comparisons;
   
3. Carry out forensic voice/text comparison experiments with a small set of data;
   
4. Present the outcomes in a written and/or oral format;
   
5. Critically examine readings on the current issues surrounding forensic voice/text comparisons; and
   
6. Exercise higher-level critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems related to forensic voice/text comparisons.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1: Introduction and overview of the course, and introduction of likelihood ratio and Bayesian theorem 1
2	Week 2: Introduction of likelihood ratio and Bayesian theorem 2
3	Week 3: Testing, and basic statistics and resources 1
4	Week 4: Testing, and basic statistics and resources 2 (Due to Canberra Day, the Week 4 lecture will be recorded and made available on Wattle)
5	Week 5: R statistical package and libraries 1	Assessment task 1 Due: 11:55pm, Monday 17 March
6	Week 6: R statistical package and libraries 2
7	Week 7: R statistical package and libraries 3
8	Week 8: Forensic voice/text comparison 1 (Due to Easter Monday, the Week 8 lecture will be recorded and made available on Wattle)
9	Week 9: Forensic voice/text comparison 2	Assessment task 2 Due: 11:55pm, Monday 28 April
10	Week 10: Forensic voice/text comparison 3
11	Week 11: Forensic voice/text comparison 4
12	Week 12: Review	Assessment task 3 Due: 11:55pm, Monday 19 May

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration is available on MyTimetable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Paper summary/critical review assignment	10 %	17/03/2025	31/03/2025	1,2,4,5,6
Take-home assignment 1	20 %	28/04/2025	12/05/2025	1,2,4,5,6
Take-home assignment 2	30 %	19/05/2025	26/05/2025	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final exam	40 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend all classes, keep up with assigned readings, contribute to class discussions, and complete all assignments.

Assessment Task 1

Paper summary/critical review assignment

Due: 11:55pm, Monday 17 March

Students will be given a journal paper and are asked to provide a one-page summary and critical comment (between 1000 and 1100 words) of the paper. Your submission must include:

1. A summary (approximately 400 words)
2. Critical comments (approximately 600 words)

More detailed instructions will be provided on Wattle. The course convenor aims to complete marking and return the assignments within two weeks after the submission deadline. Summative feedback will be given to the entire class, along with individual concise written feedback.

Assessment Task 2

Take-home assignment 1

Due: 11:55pm, Monday 28 April

This take-home assignment consists of three parts. For the first part, you will be given a paper to read and asked to provide a summary of the paper (approximately 500 words). For the second part, you will be asked to compile a list of 10 references on a given topic. For the third part, you will be given tasks to complete using the R statistical package. More detailed instructions will be provided on Wattle. The course convenor aims to finish marking and return the assignments within two weeks after the submission deadline. Summative feedback will be given to the whole class, along with individual concise written feedback. There may be some additional questions for the postgraduate students.

Assessment Task 3

Take-home assignment 2

Due: 11:55pm, Monday 19 May

This take-home assignment focuses on forensic voice/text comparison. You will be provided with the results of forensic voice/text comparison experiments and asked to describe and analyse them. More detailed instructions will be available on Wattle. The course convenor aims to complete marking and return the assignments within two weeks after the submission deadline. Summative feedback will be given to the entire class, along with individual concise written feedback. There may be some additional questions for the postgraduate students.

Assessment Task 4

Final exam

Date: TBA (Check the exam timetable)

A two-hour-long final exam (take-home) will also be held during the examination period. Students are required to be available for the entire duration of the examination period. Please refrain from making any external commitments or travel plans during this time. More detailed instructions will be provided on Wattle. There may be some additional questions for the postgraduate students.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students