In this episode, Justin and Blake discuss the intricacies of video forensics. They explore the importance of video enhancement techniques, the challenges posed by low-quality footage, and the best practices for investigators to ensure they collect the most original evidence. Blake and Justin discuss the complexities of video forensics, emphasizing the importance of video quality, retention strategies, and the challenges faced in recovering surveillance footage. They explore the role of technology in evidence collection, the impact of AI on video authentication, and the necessity of skepticism in evaluating video content. The discussion also touches on audio restoration and best practices for handling video evidence, highlighting the need for validation and proper tools in the field.

Blake Sawyer is the Director of United States Operations at Amped Software. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Video Forensics and Amped Software

04:16 The Importance of Video Enhancement Techniques

09:04 Real-World Applications of Video Forensics

12:47 Challenges in Video Quality and Enhancement

16:43 Investigative Techniques and Best Practices

21:12 The Future of Video Forensics and AI Integration

27:48 Efficient Evidence Collection Strategies

31:58 The Role of Technology in Speed Estimation

33:40 The Impact of AI on Video Evidence

38:35 Audio Restoration in Video Forensics

40:02 The Future of Video Authentication

43:10 Skepticism in the Age of AI

In this episode, Justin brings back Keven Hendricks, founder of the Ubivis Project, to discuss the current state of cryptocurrency, the importance of crypto education, and the immense potential of blockchain technology. While most believe cryptocurrency is in its infancy, Keven makes the case that it's still in its ‘pregnancy’ and so now is the time to start training yourself and gathering the knowledge necessary to investigate crypto-related crimes.

Keven’s organization works hard to dispel misconceptions about the dark web and he highlights the importance of teamwork and an investigative mindset in tackling cybercrime. Justin and Keven also discuss the prevalence of “pig butchering” crypto investment scams, the role of law enforcement in addressing them, and the need for local, state and federal authorities to collaborate with international organizations like Interpol and Europol.

Remember! Cybercrime involving cryptocurrencies has a nexus to other crimes, so understanding and addressing this interconnectedness is only going to become more important for forensic investigators.

In this conversation, Justin and Brandon Epstein discuss the use of AI in video forensics and the challenges it presents in terms of authenticity and admissibility in court. 

In this week’s conversation, Justin talks with Brandon Epstein of Medex Forensics about the use of AI in video forensics and the challenges of validating and verifying AI-generated results. What’s the biggest hurdle to overcome? Proving the authenticity of video evidence, and its admissibility in court. They also discuss the difficulties in explaining complex AI algorithms and probabilistic results to judges and juries.

The digital forensics industry is also using AI to its advantage with AI tools for forensic analysis. But this must be handled with care! Justin and Brandon discuss how investigators must be completely transparent when using these kinds of tools, and keep very careful documentation to ensure accuracy and reliability in their work, especially when dealing with cases that have significant consequences for individuals' lives.

Brett Shavers, author of 'Placing the Suspect Behind the Keyboard, Volume 2: DFR Investigative Mindset.' discusses the importance of an investigative mindset in digital forensics and the need to go beyond technical skills. Justin and Brett explore the concepts of perception versus perspective, critical thinking, and the importance of understanding principles rather than relying solely on tools. 

This episode also touches on the topic of regulations in the DFIR field, highlighting the potential benefits of self-regulation and the risks of being over-regulated by those who lack understanding of DFIR. The conversation concludes with insights on balancing time and quality in investigations, the significance of note-taking, and the importance of engaging with educational resources.

In this episode, Justin and Lynne discuss their experiences at the Techno Security conference. They talk about the busy schedule, the increase in participation by the attendees, and the energy of the event. Justin shares his presentation on distributed workflows and the importance of protecting privacy in investigations. They also talk about the fun swag and the claw machine at the vendor hall, as well as the after-hours event with a large turnout. The conversation covers various topics, including the importance of automation and scalability in forensic labs, the value of networking at conferences, and some travel stories involving flight delays and diversions. The hosts also encourage listeners to share their stories and insights for future podcast episodes.

Takeaways

• Techno Security conference had a busy schedule and a high attendance
• Justin presented on distributed workflows and the importance of privacy in investigations
• The vendor hall had fun swag and a popular claw machine
• The after-hours event had a large turnout and Exterro gave away 10 licenses of FTK
• Automation is important for efficiency and compliance in forensic labs
• Networking at conferences provides valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration
• Share your stories and insights with the FTK Over the Air podcast

Manny Kressel, CEO and founder of Bitmindz Forensic Solutions, shares his journey from law enforcement to building custom forensic workstations. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific needs of forensic examiners and customizing the hardware accordingly. During the episode he provides tips and tricks for getting the most machine for the best price. 

We address the challenges of working with IT departments for requisition of powerful forensic workstations. The conversation concludes with Manny sharing his predictions for the future of forensic hardware, including the increasing need for mobile platforms and the potential growth of cloud-based processing.

Rob Fried, Senior Vice President of Forensics at Sandline Global, shares his journey into forensics and the importance of active listening in investigations. He emphasizes the need for documentation and chain of custody in digital forensics, as well as the evolution of technology and its impact on investigations. Rob also discusses the second edition of his book, 'Forensic Data Collections 2.0,' which covers the soft skills required in the field. 

The conversation covers topics such as building trust with clients, the importance of listening and understanding their concerns, the psychological component of digital forensics, and the need for context in investigations. It emphasizes the importance of interpreting data and telling a story, rather than just presenting information. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of continuous education, maintaining connections, and sharing knowledge within the digital forensics community.

Justin and Farand discuss various topics related to digital forensics and the upcoming IACIS conference. They cover the increase in specialized classes and the addition of an advanced mobile class at the conference. They also talk about the importance of human judgment in forensic work and the limitations of AI in the field. The conversation touches on the impact of encryption and cloud forensics, as well as the privacy concerns and legal ramifications associated with these technologies. This conversation covers various topics related to the use of AI in digital forensics and investigations. It explores the potential of using large language models to assist in writing warrants and the importance of validation and interpretation in the process. 

Bertram Lyons, CEO of MedEx Forensics, discusses the challenges and impact of AI-generated content and the need for authentication and provenance analysis. Lyons explains MedEx Forensics' methodology, which focuses on analyzing the internal structure of digital multimedia files. He also discusses the rise of synthetic media and the need for tools to authenticate and analyze it. The conversation explores the nuances of real, original, and authentic content, and the role of institutions and initiatives in addressing the issue. The conversation explores the impact of AI on misinformation and victim data, the balance between privacy and content moderation, the legal landscape of manipulated content, the implications for various industries, the difference between deepfake and cheap fake, the impact on corporations, and the future of multimedia attribution and AI.

Justin sits down with Farand Wasiak of The IACIS Podcast and chats about the hot topics in Forensics. The International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) holds an annual conference where they train hundreds of new and experienced law enforcement professionals in the best forensic science there is... digital forensics (of course). Farand is one of the many volunteers that make it happen, and he is also the host of The IACIS Podcast. In this crossover episode we talk about the necessity of training, the risk of 'push-button forensics', cloud forensics and more.