ICE vs the Human Smuggler

In 2012, there was a shootout between ICE agents and a suspected human smuggler.  The shooting took place in a residential neighborhood in Phoenix AZ, and was recorded on a home security system 0.4 miles away.  Physical evidence from the scene indicated that four firearms were fired, and 105 spent cartridges were recovered.  The layout of the cartridges gave a general location of each shooter.  The questions on the case were who fired first, and who else fired in what sequence?

All 105 gunshots from the audio recording were analyzed and identified using the following techniques:

• Critical listening

• Waveform characteristics and spectra

• Shot-to-shot timing analysis

• Reflection ray tracing and acoustical fingerprinting

In looking more closely at the first seven gunshots, it became clear that ICE agents fired the first four rounds.

By making use of rigorous technical analysis of audio recordings using techniques based in science and mathematical reasoning developed over decades of industry experience, key details of tough cases can be brought to light. When tough questions arise in court, Beck Audio forensics can give you the information you need to present a compelling case.