THE VAULT DOCUMENT
Audio Evidence
Audio evidence refers to sound recordings presented as documentation of an event, communication, environment, phenomenon or claimed anomaly.
Within The Vault, audio evidence is an important source of information for documenting:
- Paranormal reports.
- Electronic voice phenomena (EVP).
- UFO and UAP cases.
- Historical recordings.
- Investigations.
- Unexplained sounds.
- Research into unusual phenomena.
Audio recordings can provide valuable information about an event, but a recording alone does not automatically confirm the interpretation attached to it.
A recording demonstrates that a sound was captured. Determining the source, meaning or explanation of that sound requires further evaluation.
Role of audio evidence
Audio evidence may be used to document:
- Reported voices or sounds.
- Environmental events.
- Historical speech or recordings.
- Investigation sessions.
- Communication attempts.
- Witness observations.
Examples include:
- Alleged electronic voice phenomena (EVP).
- Unexplained sounds recorded at locations.
- Radio transmissions.
- Historical audio recordings.
- Audio captured during investigations.
Audio evidence should always be considered within the circumstances in which it was recorded.
Evaluating audio evidence
Audio recordings should be assessed using several factors.
Original source
The origin of a recording is important.
Consider:
- Who created the recording?
- When was it recorded?
- Where was it recorded?
- What equipment was used?
- Is the original file available?
- Has the recording been edited or processed?
Original recordings provide more information than altered or compressed copies.
Authenticity
Audio evidence should be examined for:
- Editing.
- Splicing.
- Noise reduction.
- Added effects.
- Manipulation.
- Missing sections.
- Incorrect attribution.
Audio enhancement may make sounds easier to hear, but it can also introduce artefacts.
Context
A recording should be considered alongside:
- Witness testimony.
- Environmental conditions.
- Location information.
- Equipment used.
- Other recordings.
- Investigation notes.
A sound without context may be difficult to interpret.
Technical analysis
Where available, analysis may consider:
- Recording equipment.
- Frequency analysis.
- Background noise.
- Signal quality.
- Audio compression.
- Environmental sounds.
- Possible sources.
Technical analysis can help identify conventional explanations.
Types of audio evidence
Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP)
Electronic voice phenomena refers to alleged voices or sounds recorded on electronic devices that some researchers interpret as paranormal communication.
EVP investigations often involve:
- Digital recorders.
- Environmental recordings.
- Question-and-answer sessions.
- Audio review and interpretation.
Possible explanations considered include:
- Background noise.
- Radio interference.
- Audio artefacts.
- Pattern recognition.
- Expectation effects.
The existence of a recording does not automatically establish a paranormal origin.
Environmental recordings
Environmental recordings document sounds occurring within a location.
Examples include:
- Footsteps.
- Knocking sounds.
- Voices.
- Unusual noises.
- Mechanical sounds.
These recordings should be analysed alongside information about the location and possible sound sources.
Historical audio recordings
Historical recordings may document:
- Speeches.
- Interviews.
- Witness accounts.
- Events.
These can provide valuable primary source material.
Common explanations for audio evidence
Many alleged anomalies may have conventional explanations.
These can include:
- Background noise.
- Radio interference.
- Equipment malfunction.
- Electrical interference.
- Animals.
- Human voices.
- Environmental sounds.
- Audio compression.
- Expectation effects.
- Misinterpretation of unclear sounds.
The human brain is highly capable of finding patterns in unclear sounds, including voices.
Audio analysis and interpretation
Audio interpretation should distinguish between:
The recording
The sound captured by the device.
The interpretation
The meaning assigned to the sound.
Example:
Recorded:
"A recording contains an unclear sound resembling a human voice."
Interpretation:
"Some researchers believe the sound may represent communication from a deceased person."
The interpretation requires evidence beyond the recording itself.
Famous audio cases
Some recordings have become notable within mystery research.
Examples include:
- EVP recordings collected during paranormal investigations.
- Historical recordings associated with unexplained events.
- Alleged anomalous radio communications.
Each case requires examination of:
- Original recording.
- Recording conditions.
- Analysis methods.
- Alternative explanations.
Limitations of audio evidence
Audio evidence has limitations.
These include:
- Sound sources may be difficult to identify.
- Recordings may lack environmental context.
- Digital processing can alter recordings.
- Human perception can influence interpretation.
- Similar sounds may have multiple explanations.
A genuine recording may still have uncertainty surrounding its source.
Audio evidence and investigations
When documenting audio collected during investigations, The Vault should distinguish between:
Recorded observation
The sound captured by equipment.
Investigator interpretation
The explanation proposed by researchers.
Example:
Recorded:
"Investigators captured an unexplained sound during a recording session."
Interpretation:
"Investigators suggested the sound may represent an EVP."
Audio evidence and evidence ratings
Within The Vault, audio evidence is assessed alongside other available information.
Factors include:
- Original source.
- Authenticity.
- Technical analysis.
- Recording conditions.
- Independent verification.
- Alternative explanations.
- Supporting evidence.
Audio evidence may contribute to an evidence assessment but is rarely considered conclusive on its own.
See:
Writing guidelines
When describing audio evidence, articles should separate the recording from its interpretation.
Preferred:
"The recording has been interpreted by some investigators as containing an unexplained voice."
Avoid:
"The recording proves a spirit communicated."
Preferred:
"The source of the sound has not been conclusively identified."
Avoid:
"The sound was paranormal."
unless supported by appropriate evidence.