Modern day claims processing is mostly digital, powered by AI decision-making. Very efficient but the downside is that organised criminals can submit fake evidence. That’s where digital forensics really makes a difference. Here’s the word from Europol;
A message on a mobile phone, a road trip recorded by a connected vehicle or information stored in a cloud can provide a crucial lead in a criminal investigation. As digital evidence becomes indispensable to modern policing, the ability to lawfully access and examine this information is increasingly important to combat crime.
Today, Europol published a new report looking at the challenges related to digital forensics, which impact investigations and criminal proceedings. Digital forensics: gap analysis, explores how European law enforcement authorities could respond to this changing landscape.
Coordinated by the European Commission in cooperation with Europol, the analysis draws on stakeholder consultations, dedicated meetings, surveys and contributions from experts at Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre.
The findings point to common challenges: investigative tools, resources and expertise are struggling to keep pace with the forms and volume of digital evidence created by modern technologies
Digitalisation shaping evidence landscape
Digital information is spread across a growing range of devices and services. While this can create opportunities to establish facts and uncover criminal connections, recovering relevant data and interpreting it reliably is becoming more complex.
Encryption, cloud storage and custom-built technologies can complicate access to information. Connected vehicles and devices connected to the Internet of Things introduce further technical challenges – often requiring specialist methods and expertise.
Today’s report also finds that capabilities vary across EU Member States. Many tools can be expensive and quickly become outdated, while differences in data formats and validation practices make it harder to combine results and cooperate across borders. Meanwhile, existing European solutions are not always widely known or used.
Strengthening the foundations of digital investigations
Europol’s report identifies practical steps to help authorities address these challenges and make better use of available capabilities. Here are some of them:
- Improving standards and compatibility: Common data formats and consistent testing practices would support more efficient analysis and exchange of digital evidence.
- Building cooperation with manufacturers: Closer engagement could help address difficulties in extracting and interpreting data from devices.
- Creating more common capabilities: Shared platforms, testing environments and tools offered as a service could help authorities use resources more effectively.
- Developing expertise: Tailored training and common approaches would strengthen capabilities across the investigative chain, from investigators on the ground to the judiciary.
- Coordinating tool development: Shared operational priorities and a clearer overview of existing solutions would help direct investment towards unmet needs and reduce duplication.
Together, these measures would help investigators obtain and use relevant digital information while supporting more effective cross-border cooperation both in law enforcement and judicial matters.
AI support in investigations
Artificial intelligence offers opportunities to assist analyse large datasets, automate tasks and generate investigative leads. However, the report stresses that these benefits depend on careful implementation.
AI-assisted forensic work must be transparent, traceable and documented, with results that can be reproduced and manually verified. Preserving original evidence and maintaining a clear chain of custody is crucial to ensuring that findings can withstand scrutiny in court and protect fundamental rights and freedoms.
Recommendations
The report calls for sustained investment and closer cooperation between law enforcement authorities, researchers, technology developers and manufacturers. By strengthening tools, skills and shared infrastructure, EU Member States can help ensure that relevant digital evidence remains within investigators’ reach. This will support matching digital investigative capabilities to the technological change, establish facts, enforce laws and serve justice.
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