Long-term working memory in voice identification

The present study investigated the role of long-term working memory in voice identification. For this purpose, a mock theft design was used and three groups: voice identification experts, totally blind people and a control group of sighted listeners without any special training or experience in voice identification, were compared for their voice identification efficiency. Results revealed that the professional voice identification experts were more accurate than the other groups. Blind listeners were as effective as the sighted in voice identification. The results confirmed predictions which were based on the long-term working memory model. Implications of these results for the practice of voice identification are discussed.