Spanning two days in the heart of London, CameraForensics Connect 2023 was our first in-person user summit. Bringing law enforcement and developers together, we shared insights, feedback, and ideas on how to create a more effective and collaborative approach that helps to safeguard children across the world.  

Over the two days, we delved into emerging technology threats and explored the innovative tools and techniques shaping the future of digital forensics. If you weren’t able to make it to the event in person, or you did attend and would like a recap on the highlights, we’ve got you covered. 

Highlighting the importance of collaboration and trust

One of the greatest takeaways gained from the event was the importance of collaboration and trust between law enforcement and technology.  

Our first panel session focused on real-life examples of how CameraForensics and our other R&D tools led to successfully safeguarding 100s of children across the world. We saw inspiring case studies from police forces from all corners of the planet. A huge thanks to Lindsey Dick, Scott Anderson, Lisa Mcilfatrick, Jim Cole and Interpol for sharing their stories and techniques. 

The biggest success stories that we hear of come from the projects where these two sides work closely together, and for good reason. Bridging the knowledge gap enables software developers to create the tools that investigators will find truly useful, while also allowing these same investigators to be as confident and efficient in using them. 

Incredible insights from a range of industry specialists 

CameraForensics Connect 2023 gave us the chance to hear directly from a wide range of industry specialists, helping us dive deeper into industry challenges while exploring what we need to do to stay ahead of illicit activity. Some of these talks included: 

• Adobe’s John Penn discussing emerging technology threats 
• Thorn’s Cathal Delaney on technology’s role in combatting child sexual abuse  
• The importance of collaboration from Phil Attwood of the Child Rescue Coalition 
• Griffeye’s latest roadmap for the future of their platform 

One of the highlights from the event was an in-depth update on the research surrounding Stable Diffusion and the authenticity challenge. Dr Shaunagh Downing’s talk on the threats posed by Generative AI showcased how Stable Diffusion is being misused to generate CSAM, the specific strategies used to do so (such as Inpainting and LoRas), and how these AI-generated images can be detected by investigators. 

Sharing key updates from CameraForensics

CameraForensics Connect was the perfect opportunity for us to give some exciting updates on our projects and research, including several joint initiatives. 

We provided an overview into tools and techniques developed with the UK Home Office and Global Emancipation Network, to enable investigators to quickly identify locations based on identifiers present in imagery. 

We also shared a glimpse of our site fingerprinting tool, which was developed in collaboration with Interpol, along with insights into how investigators can leverage advanced tools for valuable image forensics intelligence. 

Also taking to the stage was our coverage of CameraForensics Labs (more on this in the future) and an exploration of some geolocation techniques which add another layer to our advancements. 

Looking to the future

Thanks to the collaborative spirit, diverse range of attendees, and genuine drive to make meaningful change, CameraForensics Connect 2023 was an incredible experience.  

As ever, the insights of our wider network remain invaluable. Feedback on our platform helps shape our toolkit to better suit your needs, while leading law enforcement knowledge helps us identify new challenges that need to be overcome. These summits are the perfect melting pot for all these ideas and more.  

If you’re interested in joining our next event, you can sign up for our waiting list today!

We can’t wait to see you next time.