Shadow Forensics: Uncovering 911 Call Analysis 2025
Called into question
Police and prosecutors trained in 911 call analysis are taught they can identify a perpetrator of a crime simply by listening to how someone speaks during an emergency call. According to proponents of this technique, subtle cues – like a pause, word choice, or tone – may signal guilt. These “guilty indicators” include everything from “extraneous information” to using “awkward phrases.” However, the FBI has warned against using 911 call analysis as direct evidence of deception1 and found that its use may increase bias.2
Despite the lack of scientific validation, 911 call analysis is increasingly finding its way into courtrooms across the country.3 At Shadow Forensics: Uncovering 911 Call Analysis, you’ll learn about:
- The prevalence of 911 call analysis in courtrooms
- How 911 call analysis is framed and introduced as forensic evidence
- The methodology and assumptions behind the technique
Called into question
Police and prosecutors trained in 911 call analysis are taught they can identify a perpetrator of a crime simply by listening to how someone speaks during an emergency call. According to proponents of this technique, subtle cues – like a pause, word choice, or tone – may signal guilt. These “guilty indicators” include everything from “extraneous information” to using “awkward phrases.” However, the FBI has warned against using 911 call analysis as direct evidence of deception1 and found that its use may increase bias.2
Despite the lack of scientific validation, 911 call analysis is increasingly finding its way into courtrooms across the country.3 At Shadow Forensics: Uncovering 911 Call Analysis, you’ll learn about:
- The prevalence of 911 call analysis in courtrooms
- How 911 call analysis is framed and introduced as forensic evidence
- The methodology and assumptions behind the technique
- Key critiques from empirical research findings on language-based forensic analysis
- Spotting red flags in testimony about forensic methods
Shadow Forensics: Uncovering 911 Call Analysis is your opportunity to learn how forensic “truths” can go unchecked and what you can do about it in your next case.
2 ProPublica: Is It Forensics or Is It Junk Science?
3 Id.
Product details
- Explore how flawed forensic practices contribute to wrongful convictions
- Strengthen your ability to challenge unscientific expert testimony
- Develop motion strategies to exclude unreliable forensic evidence
- Learn to spot questionable forensic claims early in the case
- Improve your effectiveness in cross-examining expert witnesses
- Stay current on emerging forensic techniques and their courtroom implications
- Criminal law attorneys
- Prosecutors
- Public defenders
- Litigators
- Judges
- Paralegals
Christopher Lau is an Associate Clinical Professor and Co-Director of The Wisconsin Innocence Project Clinic. Previously, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he taught in the Criminal Defense Clinic. He started his legal career as a staff attorney in the Criminal Defense Practice of the Bronx Defenders, where he had the privilege of defending people enmeshed in the criminal legal system.
His research examines alternatives to the criminal legal system's focus on policing and prosecution. His work has been published or is forthcoming in the Boston University Law Review and Cornell Law Review.
He holds a joint J.D.- M.P.A. from U.C. Berkeley School of Law and Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.