MICROPHONES FOR SECURITY

Sound carries a lot of “hidden” information not necessarily found in images or video. Nuances of voice, language, vehicle sounds, timing, direction and distance are picked up by the human ear – as well as professional microphones.

In audio forensics, acoustic crime scene analysis is highly appreciated as it provides site-specific information related to the incident in question. Undercover recordings are one of law enforcements’ tools in the fight against crime. Voice biometrics are widely applied for access control. Flight recorders provide unique information that can reveal the cause of aviation incidences. Engine monitoring may ensure in-time maintenance.

In contrast to fingerprints, sound does not leave a direct trace. Sound always travels through an acoustic path and then eventually gets recorded.
 

Microphones are key to security

To gain useable evidence, sound must be captured by one – or more – microphones. The quality of the evidence depends on the audio quality capture, and accordingly, the quality of the equipment used. In many cases, the recording may be subject to signal processing for noise reduction, voice clarity, speaker recognition or verification. The best result is achieved when a high-quality signal is obtained from the beginning and retained throughout the process.

The microphone is the first component in the audio chain – and perhaps the most important one. DPA Microphones has a long history as a microphone provider for security and law enforcement solutions. Choose DPA Microphones for your security solutions when the keywords are reliability and accuracy.

At most casinos around the world, security audio is recorded at the table level as the microphone is usually built into the table itself. Yet this solution picks up a lot of noise from the chips and cards moving instead of the dealers and players. A casino in Brussels recently upgraded its security network, including installing 400 cameras along with nearly 60 overhead microphones. Read the case study detailing how Sabelco, an electronic security equipment supplier based in Belgium, tackled the challenge.