Frances McGehee (1912–2004): The First Earwitness Researcher

Abstract

The conviction of Bruno Richard Hauptmann (State v. Hauptmann, 1935) for the kidnap and murder of baby Charles Lindbergh, Jr. in 1932, which attracted world-wide attention and still remains controversial today, was based in part on voice identification evidence. This trial was the stimulus for the development of the first scientific experiments on voice identification. However, the historical contributions of Frances McGehee (1937, 1944), who can legitimately be called the First Earwitness Researcher, have generally been overlooked. An outline of the voice identification evidence presented by the State in the Hauptmann trial is described. A description of McGehee's research methodology, major findings, and scientific criticisms are presented, and a brief sketch of McGehee's life (1912–2004) is offered.