The Importance of Voice Identification in the Witness Recognition Procedure

Abstract

From a theoretical point of view, this paper considers the evidentiary action of recognizing the voice of the perpetrator by the witness. It is the identification of the voice by a person who is usually an "unprofessional listener". Due to the specificity of the voice as an object of recognition, the involvement of forensics (linguists and phoneticians) in the organization and immediate realization of the voice recognition action seems inevitable. Their activity would be manifested in giving guidance to the authority on how to increase the efficiency of voice identification and the accuracy of witness testimony. The witness gives evidence based on his perceptual (auditory) abilities in a procedure prescribed by the law, in which the credibility of his/her testimony is simultaneously checked and assessed. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Serbia establishes the legal framework for taking the voice recognition action, while the content of performing the direct recognition action is determined by the criminal-tactical rules.