In forensic practice, forensics begins with the search for evidence at the crime scene. Forensic media thus form media crime scenes. Modern forensics involves systematically identifying, excluding, analysing or reconstructing criminal acts. This issue sheds light on the state of research and applied methods in criminalistics and forensics from a scientific and practical perspective.
Biometric methods such as dactyloscopy (fingerprint technology), facial recognition and speech analysis are also considered promising approaches for personal authentication in the police context. Professionally created deepfakes can now hardly or no longer be visually distinguished from real content.
The rehabilitation of sex offenders and the influence of digital media on young people are among the central challenges of criminology, which are being further exacerbated by digitalisation. Artificial intelligence plays a key role here. It is estimated that more than 20,000 AI models exist today. Despite their flexibility and performance, foundation models require immense computing resources for training and operation and also raise ethical and social questions.
Forensic methods and tools are subject to rapid and far-reaching changes. Offenders, investigators, forensic experts, expert witnesses and the judiciary are equally affected by the rapid developments and are increasingly using AI-based tools. However, as the digitalisation of justice progresses, the risk of identity concealment is also growing.
The edited volume offers insights into current developments, analytical approaches and investigation methods that are also used to convict offenders.
In addition to the print edition, an e-book will be published in various digital formats and an additional digital offering in the form of a repository.