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Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security

Artificial Intelligence in Digital Forensics

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Portrait Rebekah Overdorf © RUB​/​Marquard
The joint project “Advancing the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Forensics ” by Rebekah Overdorf, Professor of Security and Trustworthiness of Online Information at the Faculty of Computer Science at Ruhr University Bochum and the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security at the University Alliance Ruhr, and Frank Breitinger, Professor of Cybersecurity at the University of Augsburg, is investigating the role of AI at crime scenes and in crime scene analysis. The goal is to speed up investigative processes and strengthen synergies between AI and digital forensics. The project will be funded by the DFG for four years and will start in April 2026.

In addition to traditional evidence such as physical traces, confiscated tools, or witness statements, digital evidence such as chat logs, encrypted information, or indications of cyberattacks are becoming increasingly important in criminal investigations. The task of digital forensics is to secure, examine, and prepare this data accordingly.

Sub-project A “Forensics on AI”

AI is also playing an increasingly important role at crime scenes, for example in traffic accidents involving autonomous vehicles. However, the necessary expertise to systematically detect possible manipulation and assess the situation is often lacking when analyzing such crime scenes. One of the project’s sub-goals is to improve AI-related forensics at crime scenes and provide investigators with tools to identify and classify possible manipulation.
 

Sub-project B “AI for forensics”

The increasing complexity of cases and the huge amounts of data to be examined are leading to a significant backlog in investigations. While AI is already successfully used in other data-intensive areas, it has not yet been effectively integrated into digital forensics. Due to complex ethical and legal implications, the exact areas of application are still unclear. As part of the project, Rebekah Overdorf and Frank Breitinger are evaluating the integration of AI into digital forensics and developing guidelines for its ethical and effective use.

The project is divided into multiple phases and includes data analysis, development of an ethical framework, creation of algorithms, testing, and formulation of guidelines. Local law enforcement authorities are always involved in order to ensure the practical application of the theories. The aim is to strengthen digital forensics, accelerate investigation processes, and ultimately reduce the backlog of investigations.

(Author: Charlotte Schab, Faculty of Computer Science RUB)

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