# SoK: Exploring the State of the Art and the Future Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Forensic Investigation

Canonical URL: https://markscanlon.co/publications/SoK-AI-Forensics

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Authors: Xiaoyu Du; Chris Hargreaves; John Sheppard; Felix Anda; Asanka Sayakkara; Nhien-An Le-Khac; Mark Scanlon
Venue: The 13th International Workshop on Digital Forensics (WSDF), held at the 15th International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security (ARES)
Year: 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3407023.3407068
PDF: https://markscanlon.co/publications/SoK-AI-Forensics.pdf
Full text: https://markscanlon.co/publications/SoK-AI-Forensics.full.md

## Contribution Summary

This systematic overview of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital forensic investigation provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the art and future potential of AI in expediting digital forensic analysis and increasing case processing capacities. The authors discuss AI applications in data discovery, device triage, and other areas, highlighting current challenges and future directions. The paper explores the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques in digital forensic investigation, including data discovery, device triage, and other areas. The authors also discuss the current challenges and future directions of AI in digital forensic investigation, including the need for more robust and secure AI models, the development of more realistic and emulated datasets, and the integration of AI with other digital forensic tools and techniques.

## Abstract

Multi-year digital forensic backlogs have become commonplace in law enforcement agencies throughout the globe. Digital forensic investigators are overloaded with the volume of cases requiring their expertise compounded by the volume of data to be processed. Artificial intelligence is often seen as the solution to many big data problems. This paper summarises existing artificial intelligence based tools and approaches in digital forensics. Automated evidence processing leveraging artificial intelligence based techniques shows great promise in expediting the digital forensic analysis process while increasing case processing capacities. For each application of artificial intelligence highlighted, a number of current challenges and future potential impact is discussed.