Wiretap: profile and training

.The interception of conversations for forensic purposes is a widespread practice among law enforcement authorities. When communications are in a foreign language, interpreters or translators are usually requested to transcribe, summarize and translate the audio recordings. However, in Belgium as in many other countries, there are no specific guidelines for transcription and translation of wiretaps and training opportunities in this specialty do not exist. Research in this field is also very scarce. Yet, according to Belgian forensic experts and academia, professionalization is urgently needed. Inaccuracies and errors in the (translated) transcripts of communication intercepts can indeed result in miscarriages of justice or invalidation of evidentiary value in court. Moreover, a lack of quality and uniformity at one side, and the lack of training on the other side, can generate a waste of time and resources and can cause security problems. To tackle these challenges, this project, aims at mapping the situation on a national level and at identifying objective criteria of competence, quality and efficiency and at defining best practices. The project aims at the implementation of the training material and best practices into the existing training program for GVT (= LIT, Legal Interpreters and Translators) at the KU Leuven, Campus Antwerp. The sustainability of the project can be guaranteed by offering this training to LIT students and already practicing LITs. The project leader and the project assistant will further strive to enhancing scientific knowledge in the field through two publications and future collaboration in scientific projects. The gained knowledge will be valorized in workshops and a short-term tr aining program for LITs with dedicated training material (manual).

Keywords:wiretap, profile, training

Disciplines:Literary studies, Theory and methodology of language studies