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Forensic Voice Identification and Digital Evidence
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Forensic Voice Identification and Digital Evidence
Forensic Voice Identification and Digital Evidence
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1
Question
What is the core concept of voice identification in forensics?
Page 2
Answer
A forensic technique used to compare a recorded questioned voice with a specimen voice sample from a suspect to determine if both originate from the same individual.
2
Question
Under previous CrPC law, what limitation existed for collecting voice samples?
Page 2
Answer
No explicit provision; Section 311A CrPC permitted only specimen signatures or handwriting.
3
Question
What did the Supreme Court rule in Ritesh Sinha v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2019)?
Page 2
Answer
Compelling a voice sample does not violate Article 20(3) or Article 21.
4
Question
What types of evidence are involved in voice identification forensics?
Page 2
Answer
Voice recordings (phone calls, intercepted communications), facial recognition outputs (computer-generated face maps), electronic records governed by BSA 2023.
5
Question
How does Section 349 BNSS expand powers from CrPC Section 311A?
Page 3
Answer
Explicitly includes voice samples and finger impressions, beyond just signatures or handwriting.
6
Question
What does Section 193(3)(i) BNSS mandate for electronic evidence?
Page 3
Answer
Detailed sequence of custody (chain of custody) in the police report (charge-sheet).
7
Question
What do Sections 61-63 BSA 2023 require for voice recordings admissibility?
Page 3
Answer
Categorised as electronic evidence; require certificate under Section 63.
8
Question
Under Section 39 BSA 2023, what expert opinions are allowed?
Page 3
Answer
Opinion of Examiner of Electronic Evidence on voice matching, deepfake detection, digital authenticity.
9
Question
What does Section 329 BNSS 2023 provide for expert reports?
Page 3
Answer
Admissible as formal evidence without expert's personal appearance, unless disputed under Section 330.
10
Question
What does Section 105 BNSS 2023 mandate for search and seizure?
Page 3
Answer
Record entire process using audio-video electronic means, preferably mobile phone, including seizure list and witness signature.
11
Question
To whom does Section 349 BNSS apply beyond just the accused?
Page 4
Answer
Any person, including witnesses and suspects not yet formally arrested whose voice may be relevant.
12
Question
What is the general rule and exception for arrest under Section 349 BNSS?
Page 4
Answer
General: Person arrested in connection with investigation. Exception: Magistrate orders without prior arrest if records expedient reasons in writing.
13
Question
How does Section 349 BNSS admissibility differ from CrPC Section 311A?
Page 4
Answer
Arrest waivable with reasons; under Section 63 BSA with hash value certificate, not S.65B IEA.
14
Question
What was the key holding in Ritesh Sinha v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2019)?
Page 5
Answer
Voice samples are physical evidence like fingerprints, not testimonial; no violation of Article 20(3) or 21.
15
Question
How did Selvi v. State of Karnataka (2010) distinguish tests?
Page 5
Answer
Mental/testimonial tests (narco/polygraph) unconstitutional if involuntary; physical samples (fingerprints, voice) permissible.
16
Question
What caution did Supreme Court give on voice evidence in Nilesh Dinkar Paradkar (2011)?
Page 5
Answer
Not perfect science, prone to error than visual ID; corroborative, not substantive; cannot be sole conviction basis.
17
Question
What did Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017/2018) establish for biometrics?
Page 5
Answer
Right to Privacy fundamental under Article 21; FRT/biometrics proportionate, backed by law for criminal investigation.
18
Question
What are the first three steps in voice identification procedure?
Page 6
Answer
1. Seize questioned sample under S.105 BNSS with videography/hash. 2. IO applies to Magistrate S.349 for specimen order. 3. Record specimen in soundproof room with neutral clue words.
19
Question
What are steps 4-6 in voice identification analysis and presentation?
Page 6
Answer
4. Forensic spectrographic/auditory analysis under S.329 BNSS. 5. Document chain of custody in charge-sheet S.193. 6. Section 63 BSA certificate with hash value.
20
Question
What is face-mapping in Facial Recognition Technology (FRT)?
Page 7
Answer
Mathematical map based on biometric features like eye distance, nose bridge geometry, jawline contour; numerical, not photograph.
21
Question
How does FRT database comparison work?
Page 7
Answer
Face-map compared against CCTNS; generates similarity score, not binary match/no-match.
22
Question
Why do FRT results require Section 63 BSA certificate?
Page 7
Answer
Computer-generated electronic records; ensures admissibility in court.
23
Question
What is a hash value in digital evidence?
Page 8
Answer
Unique alphanumeric string (SHA-256/MD5) representing exact file state; fixed length, one-way function.
24
Question
What five key elements must Section 63 BSA certificate state?
Page 8
Answer
1. Certifying officer identity. 2. Evidence type/file/date/device. 3. Device proper operation. 4. Hash value. 5. True accurate representation.
25
Question
What are the three steps in Section 39 BSA expert verification?
Page 9
Answer
1. Hash comparison. 2. Metadata authenticity check. 3. Deepfake detection (liveness/noise floor analysis).
26
Question
Under Section 329 BNSS, when is expert personal appearance required?
Page 9
Answer
Only if report specifically disputed under Section 330 BNSS.
27
Question
What governs collection phase in evidence framework?
Page 10
Answer
Sections 105/176 BNSS: Videography of seizure and immediate hash recording.
28
Question
Why is voice evidence corroborative not substantive per Nilesh Paradkar?
Page 10
Answer
Prone to error; supports other evidence but cannot convict alone.
29
Question
What makes evidence inadmissible without Section 63 BSA certificate?
Page 10
Answer
Breaks sequence of custody under Section 193 BNSS; legally dead.
30
Question
How does BNSS 2023 codify voice sample powers previously judicial?
Page 2
Answer
Through Section 349, following Ritesh Sinha settlement of constitutional issues.