Can There be a Biometric Parameter for Voice?-An Investigation Into the Vocal Cry of Twins

The voice of an individual is the result of interaction between the laryngeal and supra-laryngeal structures of a person. Since the laryngeal and supra-laryngeal structures differ from one person to another, the voice produced by each person becomes unique and recognizably different from another person. If this uniqueness in voice can be found in the acoustic parameters of the voice, it can contribute to the fields of forensic speaker identification and voice biometrics. The best methodology for such a study would be a comparison of the voices of twins who have a number of similar characteristics.

To find out whether it is possible to perceptually differentiate the cry of identical twins from each other. To compare the acoustic parameters of cry among the twin pairs to find out the differentiating parameter.

This was an observational longitudinal study. Nineteen pairs of twins less than 1 week old who had completed 34 months of gestation period with no major congenital abnormalities were included in the study. The PRAAT software was used for the analysis of the voice samples.

The present study on neonates could not identify one single differentiating acoustic parameter among the twins. We infer from the study that rather than an individual parameter, it could be a complex interaction of different parameters that could give individual identity to a person's voice.

The high similarity noticed in the acoustic parameters among the twin pairs, suggests that rather than individual parameters, it could be a complex interaction of different parameters that could give individual identity to a person's voice. The study can offer information to automatic speaker recognition, Forensic speaker identification, and voice biometry.