The pseudoscience spreading to police precincts around Illinois
The "junk science" of 9-1-1 call analysis has been spreading to police precincts across the country and has even been used to convict a woman of allegedly killing her baby in Decatur. AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
A phenomenon known as 911 phone call analysis is being used by more and more police departments across the country, including in Illinois. It's a pseudoscience that claims that what someone says, how they sound and how they act during a 911 phone call, can determine if they are calling for help, or if they are trying to cover for a crime they have committed.
The 21st was joined by a ProPublica reporter who dug into the practice and its use in the Decatur case of a woman who allegedly killed her child.
GUEST:
Brett Murphy
Reporter, ProPublica
A baby died in the night and his mom called for help. The words she chose next would come to haunt her for years. Our story on the junk science known as “911 call analysis” starts with the detective who listened on the other end.
— Brett Murphy (@BrettMmurphy) November 20, 2022
My first for @ProPublica https://t.co/orcVKIVK0X
Prepared for web by Owen Henderson
Help shape our coverage on The 21st by joining our texting group and answering weekly questions. To join, text “TALK” to 217-803-0730 or sign up with your phone number below: