Breaking Barriers: Forensic Lipreading and the Bruce Lehrmann Case

Tim Reedy, Expert Witness Forensic Lip Reader

As I exited Sydney’s crowded courthouse, the weight of the historical moment hung in the air. I had just become the first forensic lip reader to have an expert witness report accepted as reliable evidence in a major trial, making Australian legal history. In this article, I will delve into the unique world of forensic lip reading, the challenges faced, and the groundbreaking influence it had on the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case.

Forensic Lip Reading Unveiled

Forensic lip reading, a niche skill, entails extracting information, words, or sentences from silent footage, such as CCTV recordings, to create a comprehensive expert witness report. I was born hearing, but lost my hearing at the age of four due to meningitis, so I embraced lipreading from a young age. Over the years, I’ve worked on assignments for a variety of organisations, including newspapers, lawyers, and even the Football Association, addressing racism on the football pitch.

In the Lehrmann case, the CCTV footage was lip readable, presenting a unique challenge. Unaware of the characters in the videos, I attentively watched the footage over three days to prevent confirmation bias. I included a time stamped transcript in my expert witness report to provide context for the emerging dialogue.

Overcoming Challenges: Logistics and Accountability

The journey from the United Kingdom to Australia presented logistical and accessibility obstacles. The Judge was at first reluctant to allow a lipspeaker into the courtroom, believing it was more of an accessibility issue than a legal one. Prior to my arrival, I had to justify my preference for lipspeakers over captions, as the Australian Courts were equipped to give the latter.

The usage of lipspeaker support in Australian courts had never been seen before, therefore it was critical for me to demonstrate how the lipspeaker – lip reader interaction worked. The court proceedings were live-streamed on YouTube, drawing 10.8k spectators, highlighting the unusual nature of the event.

During the intensive cross-examination in court I started providing evidence which I concluded after spending three days studying Brittany Higgins CCTV footage. However, the defence tried to discredit me as a credible witness and lip reader. However, the Judge’s decision to accept a lip reader’s expert witness report as credible evidence was a watershed point in Australian legal history.

Lessons Learned and Milestones Reached

As I exited the courthouse, I was besieged by news photographers and television cameras. Unfortunately, I missed the ABC News broadcast while rushing to catch my return flight home.

My experience demonstrated the necessity of understanding the substance of your expert witness report before facing a cross-examination. Conduct, tone, and presentation in the courtroom are critical, necessitating a mind trained to be stronger than emotions. The Judge’s acceptance of my expert witness report as trustworthy evidence represented a significant milestone for 121 Captions Ltd, cementing its position as a pioneering international forensic lip reading agency.

This feat, the first in Australian legal history, paves the way for the future of forensic lipreading and its role in the delivery of justice.