How we build LEAs’ confidence using image forensics tools

For law enforcement agencies (LEAs), having access to new image forensics tools provides new opportunities – from tracking offenders’ activity across websites, to accelerating takedown notices.

Yet there is little value in having an up-to-date technology stack if the tools and techniques available are difficult to use. After all:

• Offenders are using new techniques all the time to target and exploit child victims. With easy-to-use image forensics tools, investigators are better equipped to stay ahead.
• LEAs are already extremely busy. Image forensics tools should advance, not hinder, their investigations.
• The more confident that investigators are when using image forensics tools, the more informed feedback they can provide on what features and functionalities they want to see next.

With this in mind, we’ve made it part of the CameraForensics mission to ensure that every user is confident in the image forensics tools we’ve developed for them.

Here’s how we’re helping build users’ capabilities, so that investigators can find critical digital intelligence, create new lines of enquiry, and ultimately safeguard more victims.

In-platform training

We’re committed to making our image forensics tools as user-friendly as possible, and one way we do this is by offering in-platform training. There are two training resources available to our users:

1. CameraForensics Courses

We have four interactive courses that you can complete and revisit whenever you want to refresh your image forensics confidence. These are designed to help you test your skills, and are a great introduction to image forensics in general.

Take the courses today.

2. Knowledge Base

The Knowledge Base is full of tips and best-practice resources for investigators. Here, you can learn how to use the platform’s tools for specific investigative use cases.

Explore the Knowledge Base for yourself today.

To make it even easier for LEAs to push forward their investigations with CameraForensics, we also spotlight features and tips once a month in our newsletter for users.

In-person events

We believe wholeheartedly in the power of collaboration. By encouraging LEAs, policymakers, and technology providers to share their knowledge and insights, we can make sure that no organisation is trying to tackle CSAM in a silo.

That’s why we’ve created an annual summit, CameraForensics Connect, to bring these parties together. It provides a forum for us to identify what investigators need from their image forensics tools, and give them the peace of mind that we’re listening.

You can learn more about CameraForensics Connect 2024, and how we updated our platform to meet investigators’ feedback, in this round-up.

Educational resources

Some of our resources are solely for CameraForensics users. However, we’re also committed to helping non-users understand the potential of image forensics tools for identifying offenders and victims. That’s why we’ve created a variety of free guides, including:

• A beginner’s guide to image forensics, which introduces some of the core techniques used in image forensics, the challenges faced by forensics experts, and the future trends shaping the field.
• Handbook on open-source intelligence (OSINT), which explores the benefits of using OSINT in investigations, the difference between open- and closed-source intelligence, and more.

You can find the rest of our resources in our blog, featuring everything from Q&As with industry experts to spotlights on image forensics threats, like deepfaking.

Hands-on user support

To ensure total confidence in our image forensics tools, we make sure that our users have access to hands-on support whenever they need it. LEAs with varying levels of technical expertise use CameraForensics, so it’s vital that we make the platform as accessible as possible.

This may begin with a virtual onboarding, so that you can see the platform in action, practise your skills, and ask any questions before you apply it to your investigations.

Our support continues following this initial onboarding. We are available to deliver dedicated training sessions, should you need them, but there’s also a live chat function within the platform (just click the speech bubble in the bottom right-hand corner). For longer queries or general feedback you can message us here.

Research and development (R&D)

In addition to helping investigators develop their digital forensics skills, we collaborate with a range of partners, global LEAs and government agencies to advance them entirely. This includes Thorn, Global Emancipation Network, and Project VIC International.

By researching and developing technologies to solve complex investigative challenges, we can help investigators develop total confidence in the tools they’re using.

An example of this in action comes from our LinkForensics project. Here, we built a tool that could identify whether a link leads to child abuse material, without investigators needing to analyse the content manually. You can read more about this in our mini case study.

Here to support your investigations

Knowing how to realise the potential of your image forensics tools is key to increasing the efficacy of your investigations, and we’re here to help!

If you’re a CameraForensics user, feel free to get in touch with any questions you have. Whether you want specific platform support or you’d like to suggest an R&D project, we’re a message away.

If you’re not yet a user, but would like to explore the platform, get in touch to discuss a free trial.