CS955-15 Digital Forensics

Introductory description

In this module, you will learn about the scientific techniques used to collect, preserve, and analyse digital evidence, often in the context of cybercrime and cyber-physical incidents.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will deal with core concepts and enabling methodologies in multimedia-based digital forensics. It will also examine current applications, and address theoretical and practical challenges. More specifically the syllabus will cover:

• Methodologies and standards for acquisition and processing in digital forensics
• Image enhancement for forensic applications
• Digital watermarking
• Image forgery detection
• Image Compression and compression-based forensic approaches
• Visual computing and pattern matching
• Source camera identification based on device fingerprints
• Deepfake detection

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate critical understanding of how image and video data are acquired and analysed, including advanced and emerging methods for detecting image and video forgery, informed by current research in digital forensics.
• Critically evaluate, select, and adapt computational techniques for determining whether image and video data are authentic, taking into account assumptions, limitations, and incomplete or ambiguous evidence.
• Apply and adapt advanced computational techniques to analyse complex image and video data, working autonomously to design investigations and critically interpret and communicate the results.
• Critically evaluate existing approaches to image and video forensics and propose justified improvements or alternative approaches informed by current research and professional practice.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

The 'source camera identification', and 'deepfake detection' sections in the syllabus are based on recent research advances on this topic. The students will be reading from research papers instead of textbooks. They will also implement the techniques described in the research papers.

Subject specific skills

Knowledge of types of image forgery
State-of-the-art forensics methods
Forensics algorithms
Forensics practices.

Transferable skills

Programming
Knowledge of image and video processing
Knowledge of basic probability, linear algebra and transforms
Report writing
Analytical thinking.