10/10/97 - 1091

Prominent Forensic Lab Analyses "Guru Appointment Tapes"

USA (VNN) - The VNN has learned that the National Audio Video Forensic Laboratory has conducted a forensic test on the so-called "Appointment Tapes". The tapes were used by ISKCON officials to support the ISKCON guru appointments following Srila Prabhupada's departure in 1977. The VNN has received confirmation from the Forensic Lab that it has in fact conducted the analysis but was not able to confirm details of the test to VNN due to client confidentiality.

Some Vaishnavas have raised the question whether the "Appointment Tapes" had been tampered with by some before they were released to the public. The forensic test report states: "The efficiencies revealed are audible, and are consistent with EDITING procedures wherein WORDS are ELIMINATED or REARRANGED to CHANGE the context of what is said." The report further states: "In conclusion, this recording exhibits strong signs suggestive of FALSIFICATION".

An ISKCON official has told VNN that the tapes are under investigation by an ISKCON committee and that the committee will release a full report when it has completed it's research.

VNN has received the following letter which has been made public on the Internet:

(begin letter)
National Audio Video Foresnic Laobratory
Norman I. Perle, B.C.F.E., F.A.C.F.E.
8357 Shirley Avenue - Northeidge, Ca., 91324-4146
Voice - 818/989-0990 - Fax - 818-993-8550
E-mail: perle@ix.netcom.com / or 71601.771@compuserve.com, or ae293@LAFN.org,
Homepage: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/perle

- Board Certified Forensic Examiner: American Board Of Recorded Evidence, - FELLOW, AMERICAN COLEGE OF FORENSIC EXAMINERS.

- Computerized Noise Removal/ Sound Enhancement: Video/Audio

Authentication: Video Enhancements; Voice ID and Comparison. State Of The Art, Full Service Recorded Evidence Forensic Laboratory.

September 22, 1997

Attention Harvey Mechanic Esq.

TAPE ANALYSIS REPORT

On August 26, 1977 I received a standard analog tape recording from your office for examination. On the label of the cassete I affixed a tamperproof Security Seal Number 16959 for identification.

My assignment was to review and analyze the recording in order to determine if the content appears to be authentic, in that the words spoken are in context and appear to be all the words spoken at the moment of time the recorded event occured. Additionally, there should be no signs of inappropriate stopping and re-starting of the recorder as well as the other classifications of signs suggestive of falsification.

The analysis procedure included computer waveform analysis, spectrographic chart analysis, FFT spectrum frequency analysis and a critical aural review of the audio.

EXPLANATION OF ATTACHED SUPPORTIVE EXHIBITS:

The attached exhibits are the results of Waveform and Spectrogram Analysis. The upper window is a Waveform of the acquired audio. This pattern represents audio relative to time and amplitiude (volume). The large lower window is a Spectrogram.

The Spectrogram represents audio relative to: 1) Time--as shown on the bottom scale, horizontil axis. 2) Amplitude--as shown as the varying shades of pattern, vertical axis. 3) Frequency--as shown in the horizontal axis.

Each exhibit is annotated with an explanation as to the area of audio acqusitition, and that is located in the "Title Bar" on top of the Waveform. A more detailed explanation of the spectogram patterns is located in the "Title Bar" above each window.

EXPLANATION OF EXHIBITS AND CONCULSIONS:

EXHIBIT no.1 It is a display of how the sound starts on this recording.

Absent is the Recorder Start Signature. Examples of what a Start Signature looks like can be seen on EXHIBIT no. 3, no. 4, and no. 5. This is consistent with a recording made from an EDITED master recording.

EXHIBIT no. 2 Is a display of the audio located approximately ten seconds into the recording. The eficiencies revealed are audible, and are consistent with EDITING procedures wherein WORDS are ELIMINATED or REARRANGED to CHANGE the context of what is said.

EXHIBIT no. 3 is a display of the audio located appoximately eleven minutes, thiry four seconds into the recording. The deficiences are auible are are significvantly similay to what one would exprect ot hear and see should the Master recirdng be an editd version.

EXHIBIT no. 4 is a display of the audio located approximately eleven minutes thirty seven seconds into the recording. This segment is located just after the area shown in exhibit number three. This deficiency is audible and is significantly similar to what one would expect to hear and see should the Master recording be an EDITED version.

EXHIBIT no. 5 is a dispaly of the audio located approximately twenty two minutes, thirty three seconds into the recording. This is the end of the segment(s). One can hear, as well as see on the chart, representation strikingly similar to STOP/RE-STARTS(s) signatures. There is a remanent of audio after these patterns.

EXHIBIT no. 6 is a diplay of the audio located at the end of sound on this recording. Similar to the beginning (Exhibit #1) there is an absence of the anticipated stop signature.

SUMMARY

In conclusion, this recording exhibits strong signs suggestive of FALSIFICATION. I do not believe that these deficiencies might possibly the product of some mechanical process or problem within the recording or duplication process, and I beleive that they exist at what is considered to be a high degree than that of a coincidence.

I strongly recommend that an independent Forensic Analysis be conducted on the Master recoring in order to determine the authenticity an originality of the evidence. This analysis requires what is represented as the original recording and the original tpae recorder upon which this recording was represented to be be made. The forensic instrumental tests include computer analysis, FFT spectral analysis, spectrogram chart anaylysis, and microscopic photograhy of the magnetic field on the original recording. Additionally, the recordings will be compared for dissimilarities as a critical listening procedure is performed.

These tests are directed to discover (1) if the recording has been edited in any manner so as to effect the context of the words, (i.e. erasures, inappropriate starting and re-stating of the recorder), (2) If in fact the audio material is an original source recording and not a re-recorded version. The testing would determine the cause of any deficiency within the audio track and is focused on establishing an opinion as to the integrity and authenticity of the evidence.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me. Norman I. Perle
(end letter)