Forensic Lipreading Experts

Forensic Lipreading Experts

The ITV drama Code of Silence, starring Rose Ayling-Ellis, has sparked fresh interest in forensic lipreading. But if you’re thinking of joining a lipreading class, it’s important to understand that the skills taught in our online lipreading classes are very different from those used in forensic lipreading.

What Is Forensic Lipreading?

Forensic lipreading is a highly specialised skill that has seen increasing use in the UK. It is occasionally used in legal and criminal investigations to interpret speech from silent or low-audio video footage. This might mean grainy, unclear CCTV or surveillance recordings. This can be particularly useful in noisy environments or when sound quality is too poor for speech to be understood.

How It’s Used in the UK

In certain criminal cases, forensic lipreaders may be asked to examine footage where spoken words cannot be heard. However, its reliability can be challenged in court, as there is not really a universally accepted measure of lipreading ability. Whether or not forensic lipreading is allowed as evidence is at the discretion of the judge, and even when admitted, it is typically regarded as supporting evidence rather than definitive proof of any crime committed.

Forensic lipreading might be used in situations such as:

Media and security footage of public incidents where spoken words are disputed.

CCTV footage from crime scenes where speech was not captured.

Undercover police operations where recording audio was impractical or legally restricted.

Who Provides Forensic Lipreading?

Forensic lipreaders in the UK are usually highly trained professionals, many of whom are profoundly Deaf or have significant hearing loss. They may use assistive technology in their daily lives but rely primarily on lipreading for communication. Some have received specialist training in forensic lipreading, allowing them to apply their skills within criminal and legal investigations.

Challenges and Limitations

Lipreading is not an exact science, which makes forensic lipreading inherently challenging. Studies suggest that less than half of spoken English is clearly visible on the lips, with many sounds appearing identical when mouthed (e.g., "F" "V" and "Ph"). Lipreading beginners often start by learning to distinguish these basic lip shapes, because they are easier to see. But, forensic lipreading requires significantly more skill and experience. Without appropriate context, even the most skilled lipreaders can struggle to interpret certain words or phrases accurately.

Lipreading Tutors vs. Forensic Lipreaders

It’s important to note that ATLA-qualified lipreading tutors are not trained in forensic lipreading and are not permitted to carry out this kind of work. There are only a small number of qualified forensic lipreaders in the UK, and their expertise is distinct from that of lipreading teachers.

Lipreading tutors are specialist educators who have completed a City & Guilds qualification in lipreading alongside an Adult Education & Training qualification. Their role is to teach private lipreading classes or group lipreading courses which are useful for everyday communication. In addition, they may pass on lipreading tips and tricks to help you manage your hearing loss.

Forensic lipreaders undergo additional specialist training and often have backgrounds in related fields such as linguistics, psychology, or forensic science.

A Final Note

While forensic lipreading is a fascinating and occasionally useful tool in criminal investigations, it is rarely used in isolation. If you’re enjoying Code of Silence, that’s great—but if you’re considering learning to lipread, please be aware that our online classes are designed for everyday communication, not forensic lipreading!