Modeling and Signal Processing of Acoustic Gunshot Recordings

Audio recordings of gunshots can provide information about the gun location with respect to the microphone(s), the speed and trajectory of the projectile, and in some cases the type of firearm and ammunition. Recordings obtained under carefully controlled conditions can be well-modeled by geometrical acoustics. Special acoustic processing systems for real time gunshot detection and localization are used by the military and law enforcement agencies for sniper detection. Forensic analysis of audio recordings is also used to provide evidence in criminal and civil cases. This paper reviews the distinctive features and limitations of acoustic gunshot analysis using DSP techniques