TC: Small: Collaborative Research: Strengthening Forensic Science for Network Investigations

University Of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst MA

Investigators

Abstract

The standard instrumentality for the criminal acquisition and distribution of images and video of child sexual exploitation is peer-to-peer (p2p) networks. Over 160,000 users based in the US are sharing child pornography (CP) using Gnutella alone. Past studies have found that: 21% of CP possessors had images depicting sexual violence to children such as bondage, rape, and torture; 28% had images of children younger than 3 years old; and that 16% of investigations of CP possession ended with discovery of persons who directly victimized children. The proposed work aims to make significant advances in forensics methods of investigating criminal acts on peer-to-peer file sharing networks. The project represents a unique multidisciplinary collaboration between computer science and criminology with close participation from existing law enforcement partners. Intellectual Merit. The project makes the following broad contributions: - It proposes novel methods of tagging a remote computer over the network with information that can uniquely identify it during a forensic examination. These serve as both identifiers and as indicia of intent. - It proposes to gather a foundational dataset regarding the prevalence and rate of spread of child pornography on p2p networks. Further, it proposes to measure and quantify the relationships between child abuse and the trading of child pornography on p2p networks. Finally, it proposes the development of models to detect the trafficking of deliberately hidden child pornography on these networks. Broader Impact. The project aims to reduce the number of children sexually exploited each year by thwarting the trafficking of their images on p2p networks and via the capture of the contact offenders that rape, torture, or otherwise brutalize them. This work will increase cross-disciplinary collaboration between computer science and criminology and between law enforcement and academia; effect technology transfer to law enforcement in the field of online child pornography investigations, which will help reduce the number of victims of crimes in the future; and facilitate broad educational outreach and recruitment of under-represented minorities in undergraduate and graduate research in digital forensics. For further information see the project web site at the URL: http://prisms.cs.umass.edu/CNS-1018615