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Forensic Audio Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Audio information

See Michigan salary details

$22.2K

$53.3K

$82.4K

How much do forensic audio jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic audio in Michigan is $53,303.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,100.00 and $60,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying forensic job?

The highest paying forensic jobs are often senior roles such as forensic laboratory directors or forensic science managers, who oversee investigations and laboratory operations. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and certifications, and can earn six-figure salaries depending on the organization and location.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic audio analysts when working with degraded or low-quality recordings?

Forensic audio analysts often encounter challenges such as background noise, overlapping voices, or poor recording quality, which can make it difficult to isolate and clarify key sounds or speech. They use specialized software and techniques to enhance audio, but there are limits to how much a recording can be improved without introducing artifacts or altering the original content. Effective communication with legal teams about what is possible and the limitations of audio evidence is essential for success in this role.

How to get into audio forensics?

To pursue a career in forensic audio, individuals typically need a background in audio engineering, criminal justice, or forensic science, along with strong skills in audio editing and analysis software such as Pro Tools or Adobe Audition. Gaining experience through internships, certifications like the Certified Forensic Audio Specialist (CFAS), and understanding legal procedures can improve job prospects in this specialized field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic Audio Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Audio Analyst, you need a strong background in audio engineering, acoustics, and digital signal processing, often supported by a relevant degree in audio technology or forensic science. Familiarity with specialized audio analysis tools such as Adobe Audition, iZotope RX, and forensic software like Cedar or Amped FIVE is typically required, along with relevant certifications. Keen attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are important soft skills for analyzing complex audio evidence and presenting findings. These skills ensure accurate, reliable analysis and clear expert testimony, which are crucial for supporting legal investigations and proceedings.

What is forensic audio analysis?

Forensic audio analysis is the scientific examination, evaluation, and interpretation of audio recordings to aid investigations or legal proceedings. Specialists in this field use advanced techniques to enhance audio quality, authenticate recordings, identify speakers, and clarify speech or sounds. Their work is crucial in criminal cases, civil disputes, and other legal matters where audio evidence is presented. Forensic audio experts often testify in court to explain their findings and methodologies.

What Are Forensic Audio Jobs?

The leading roles in forensic audio include forensic expert and analyst. As an analyst, you utilize the scientific process during an investigation to help make recordings usable in a court case. Your duties are to analyze audio evidence for authenticity, often refuting or pinpointing a crime. As an expert in the field, your responsibilities are to work with analysts to improve the intelligibility of audio speech and the audibility of quiet sounds. You might transcribe audio, identify the devices used to make the recording, or make an analysis of sonic evidence to reconstruct a crime. In both roles, you examine audio in criminal justice trials and work with law enforcement to define or uncover evidence.

What is audio forensics?

Audio forensics is a specialized field within forensic science that involves analyzing audio recordings to authenticate, enhance, or interpret sound evidence. Forensic audio analysts use tools like spectral analysis and noise reduction to clarify recordings and identify details relevant to investigations.

What is a forensic audio specialist?

A forensic audio specialist is a professional who analyzes and enhances audio recordings for legal investigations and court cases. They use specialized software and techniques to improve sound clarity, remove noise, and authenticate recordings, often working closely with law enforcement and legal teams.

What is the difference between Forensic Audio vs Forensic Audio Technician?

AspectForensic AudioForensic Audio Technician
CredentialsOften requires specialized training in audio analysis and certifications like IAI or ASQ certificationsTypically holds audio engineering or forensic audio certifications, with some overlap
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in labs, courtrooms, or crime scenes involving audio evidenceIn labs or field settings, handling audio recordings and equipment
Industry UsageUsed by law enforcement, legal professionals, and forensic labsEmployed by forensic labs, law enforcement, and audio forensic firms

Forensic Audio focuses on analyzing and interpreting audio evidence for legal cases, often requiring advanced certifications. Forensic Audio Technicians handle the technical aspects of audio evidence collection and processing. While their roles overlap, Forensic Audio specialists typically have more advanced analytical training, whereas technicians focus on equipment and recording tasks.

What job categories do people searching Forensic Audio jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Audio jobs in Michigan are:
Infographic showing various Forensic Audio job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,303 per year, or $25.6 per hour.
Litigation Tech Paralegal

Litigation Tech Paralegal

West 4th Strategy

Grand Rapids, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Litigation Tech Paralegal
ROLE
We need an experienced Paralegal at the USAO-WDMI (U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Michigan). The Civil Division protects and enforces the interests of the United States by pursuing and defending against claims for money damages and injunctive relief, including cases under the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program. In this role, you will work closely with Automated Litigation Support (ALS) staff to manage case data, create and administer document review databases, collect and process case data using various software programs, draft technical specifications for production requests and responses, and use software and audio/video equipment to assist Assistant United States Attorneys in presentations and trials. This is a full-time opportunity. We can offer a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package.
Apply today!
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Develops an understanding of applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations, and follows USAO policies and protocols for managing case data and records
  • Works closely with Automated Litigation Support (ALS) staff to manage case data using database software, including monitoring, quality control, troubleshooting, and testing of automated litigation support systems
  • Organizes, maintains, and administers documents, evidence, and document review databases for efficient automated storage, retrieval, and quality control
  • Identifies and utilizes software packages, including DOJ-provided tools, to present complex evidence, produce demonstrative graphics, and meet user needs
  • Collects, processes, culls, loads, organizes, indexes, logs, tracks, produces, and presents case data, including extracting file information and creating file images for document review platforms
  • Creates reports to track electronic discovery processing and production, and drafts and reviews technical specifications for production requests and responses
  • Reviews and analyzes documents and information produced in investigations and discovery, and monitors compliance with litigation hold requirements
  • Uses software, computer equipment, and audio/video equipment, including PowerPoint, Excel, CaseMap, and Trial Director, to assist AUSAs in presentations and trials
  • Assists in obtaining or employing forensic and vendor services to gather and analyze evidence and prepare exhibits
  • Maintains expertise on e-discovery and litigation support systems, and provides assistance to Civil Division staff on their effective use
  • Works independently with law firm representatives to resolve technical and compatibility issues and ensure timely document productions, while building and maintaining relationships with ALS staff, Assistant United States Attorneys, federal agents, Civil Division paralegals, other support staff, and law firms
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
  • Undergraduate degree is preferred.
  • Strong technical background with computers, scanners, and data storage devices and equipment.
  • Knowledge of current litigation technology tools and processes, such as document imaging, database management and design, optical character recognition, electronically stored information processing, and technology-assisted review
  • Experience using electronic document review platforms such as Eclipse and Relativity in the context of litigation.
  • Experience using document management and presentation platforms such as Concordance, Sanction and Trial Director in the context of litigation or trials.
  • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
  • Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, e.g.) and Apple software and devices.

LOCATION
  • 330 Ionia Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

CLEARANCE
  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Must be eligible to pass a Dept. of Justice background investigation

CLIENT
  • U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Michigan — Affirmative Civil Enforcement Program

WORK HOURS
  • 40 hours per week, 8 working hours per day, Monday–Friday
  • Office hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. 30 minute unpaid lunch break.

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION
  • Employment Classification Eligibility — W2

RELOCATION
  • Not eligible for relocation benefits

West 4th Strategy is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law.
Other Considerations: applicants will be subject to a background investigation. This position requires access to Department of Justice facilities and systems, and as a condition of employment, selected candidates must complete and receive favorable adjudication from a federal government background investigation as required by the U.S. Department of Justice. Individual's primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 80% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC, copier, fax, telephone, cell phone, etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 80% of the time.

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