Forensic Digital Copies

Background

Until now, forensically relevant data has been generated in heterogeneous formats that are difficult to merge. As a result, it is only possible to compare individual pieces of information, e.g. time stamps or location data, with a great deal of additional effort. The calculation of new information, such as gait patterns, also requires heterogeneous data to be merged into a standardized data format beforehand.

Aim

The first step of the project is to develop a data format that enables forensically relevant data to be merged. Both, analog and digitally collected information such as expert reports, fingerprints, hard disk images and network data are to be considered. The new data format should enable all this data to be directly compared, supplemented, and merged. Research will then be carried out into algorithms that can obtain additional information based on the new data format. For example, the gait pattern, including further biometric information, could be calculated from a video recording and an analog footprint.

Disruptive Risk Research

The development of a data format that allows the merging of any forensic data formats represents a major challenge. It is currently still unclear whether such a generic data format can be realized at all in view of the high heterogeneity of forensic traces and information. As the research process should also consider the legal requirements for forensic applicability, this is a project in the field of high-risk research. Successful completion of the project would therefore represent a major step forward for forensic end users and research institutions.

Contact

it-forensik@cyberagentur.de