Forensic Investigation Techniques Research Articles

Leveraging data mining and cybersecurity techniques to enhance algorithmic trading performance and forensic investigations in financial markets

In the evolving landscape of financial markets, the convergence of data mining, cybersecurity, and algorithmic trading plays a pivotal role in enhancing trading performance and forensic investigations. This study investigates how data mining techniques are leveraged to extract meaningful patterns and trends from vast financial datasets, improving the accuracy and profitability of algorithmic trading strategies. By identifying historical trends, price movements, and trade margins, data mining enables traders to optimize decision-making processes and manage risks more effectively. Cybersecurity emerges as a critical factor in safeguarding both trading algorithms and sensitive financial data from cyber threats. The integration of advanced cybersecurity measures ensures the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of trading systems, reducing vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Additionally, forensic investigation techniques are employed to detect fraudulent trading activities, such as insider trading and market manipulation, thereby protecting market participants and maintaining regulatory compliance. This research highlights the importance of combining secure data mining practices with robust cybersecurity measures to enhance the overall performance of algorithmic trading systems. Furthermore, it explores how forensic methodologies can help detect anomalies and ensure the transparency and fairness of financial markets. Through an integrated approach, this study emphasizes the potential of data mining and cybersecurity in transforming trading operations while mitigating risks associated with cyber threats and financial fraud.

Heredity and Forensic Implications of Lip Prints among Indian Twins and Non-Twin Siblings: A Cheiloscopy Study.

This study aimed to assess the lip prints of Indian twins and non-twin siblings to evaluate the existence of heredity in the lip prints of these individuals. The study employed a blind, cross-sectional, quantitative approach with an inductive method and extensive direct observation. The sample consisted of 30 twins and 30 non-twin siblings, divided into three groups based on gender with 10 subjects in each subgroup. All participants were aged between 10 and 30 years and were instructed on the methods and techniques involved in the study. The lip prints of participants were recorded using dark-colored lipstick, bond paper, cellophane tape, and a brush, and were examined for lip thickness measurement (in mm), classification of lip commissures, and assessment of groove patterns. The findings were then analyzed to determine the pattern of lip prints among twins and non-twin siblings. Cheiloscopy, the forensic investigation technique based on lip trace identification, could benefit from this study's findings as it explores the existence of heredity in lip prints of Indian twins and non-twin siblings.

Distribution and Uniqueness in the Pattern of Lip Prints.

Introduction Lip prints are the characteristic pattern of wrinkles and grooves on the labial mucosa. Lip prints can be classified into various patterns and can be used for personal identification as they are unique and do not change during the life of a person. Cheiloscopy is a forensic investigation technique that deals with the identification of humans based on lip traces. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the distribution of lip print patterns, to assess gender differences, and to calculate the lip score using a weighted value scoring system. Material and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Guwahati, India, from May to October 2023, after getting approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). A total of 200 individuals (100 males and 100 females) were included in the study. Each lip print was divided into four quadrants. In each quadrant, up to 14 grooves were marked from the midline, and the pattern of each groove was observed. Each pattern was given an Arabic numeral score. Weighted values were given for the grooves in descending order from 15 to 1 with reference to their position from the midline of the lip print.The product of the Arabic numeral score of the groove and the weighted value of the groove is the lip line score. The sum of the lip line scores was calculated. Results The most common pattern observed in the present study is type II, with 3,816/12,000 (31.8%), followed by type I'with 3,146/12,000 (26.21%), type I with 1,865/12000 (15.54%), type III with 1,491/12,000 (12.42%), type IV with 1,133/12,000 (9.44%), and type V with 549/12,000 (4.5%). The mean total lip score is 1,467.68 (1,486.41 in males and 1448.96 in females). Conclusion Lip prints are unique and useful for personal identification, as the lip score in various quadrants and the total lip score are different for different individuals.

The Internet of Things (IoT) Forensic Investigation Process

The Internet of Things (IoT), a rapidly evolving network of connected devices, is expected to grow to an astounding 41.6 billion units by 2025. This exponential growth, while beneficial in terms of data collection and exchange, has also increased the vulnerability of these devices to sophisticated cyberattacks, notably the Mirai botnet malware. This paper centers on the distinctive challenges posed in the field of IoT forensics. These challenges are primarily due to the intricate and diverse nature of IoT devices and ecosystems, which complicate the application of standard forensic tools and methodologies. One of the most significant hurdles in IoT forensics is data acquisition, considering the vast diversity of devices and the lack of specialized forensic tools tailored to these unique environments. The paper conducts a thorough literature review to explore these challenges in depth, aiming to not only provide a comprehensive understanding of the current state of IoT forensics but also to identify potential avenues for future research and development. It also highlights key strategies and solutions to enhance the security of IoT devices and to support forensic investigators in navigating the complexities of IoT ecosystems. Through this exploration, the paper contributes valuable insights and guidelines, poised to shape the advancement of IoT device security and forensic investigation techniques.

Forensic Accounting Techniques and Attainment of Results in Federal Government Parastatals in Nigeria

Economic and financial fraud instances have risen over the past few years. However, fraud is a dynamic phenomenon, and new ways to defraud people, businesses, even government and the environment as a whole, appear every day. Adopting significant accounting techniques and fraud detection measures that are capable of identifying and preventing any type of fraud, regardless of how complex, is therefore imperative. The forensic accounting technique is one of these methods. This is one of the types of techniques that is primarily responsible for the investigation of fraud and is created primarily in the field of public and private finances. This study therefore examines the effect of forensic accounting techniques on attainment of results in Federal Government parastatals in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 5 federal government agencies. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 2 agencies. The target population of the study was 131 accountants in the two agencies chosen- Nigeria Port Authority and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. Total enumeration was adopted. A validated and structured questionnaire was used to administer 131 copies of the questionnaire to the respondents. 126 copies were retrieved which represented 96% response rate. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients ranged from 0.740 – 0.892. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (multiple regression) statistics at 5% level of significant. The result found that forensic accounting techniques had significant effect on output maximization in public sector of Nigeria (Adj. R2 = 0.183; F(6, 125)= 7.995, p < 0.05). The study concluded that forensic accounting techniques had a significant positive effect on attainment of result (effectiveness). The study recommended that government should adopt forensic accounting investigation techniques in corruption investigation significantly achieve attainment of results in government parastatals.

ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RUGOSCOPY AND CHEILOSCOPY IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN CENTRAL INDIA

Introduction: Rugoscopy is the examination of palatal rugae patterns, whereas cheiloscopy is the forensic investigation technique for examining lip impressions. The palatine rugae and lip impressions are distinguishing anatomical characteristics that are specific to every person and can be utilised effectively for human identification.
 Aim: The purpose of this investigation is to establish a relationship between rugoscopic and cheiloscopic patterns in minors.
 Materials and methods: A descriptive involving 100 subjects aged 5 to 15 years was conducted. Rugae patterns and lip impressions were analysed and recorded. The Lysell classification (1955) and the Thomas and Kotze classification (1983) evaluate rugoscopic patterns based on their length and their shape and cohesion, respectively. Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification was used to assess cheiloscopic patterns. The research was conducted for one month, and SPSS version 23.0 was used for analysis.
 Results: In both sexes, the predominant palatal rugae patterns were undulating, followed by curved, and then straight. Males had Type V dominant, followed by Type IV, while females had Type I' dominant, followed by Type I.
 Conclusion: Cheiloscopy is a more reliable tool than rugoscopy for human identification in the field of forensic science, as shown by our study's conclusion that rugoscopy yielded similar results but cheiloscopy yielded distinct results.
 

PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAP AS A MEANS OF OPTIMIZING THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES

Optimization of investigation is a problem that is constantly facing the theory of criminology. It is conditioned by the practice of establishing the circumstances of the commission of crimes. How successfully this problem will be resolved largely depends on the means used during the investigation. One of these forensic tools is a psychological trap. Unfortunately, despite the fact that there is a practice of using this type of tactical techniques, the nature and significance for the investigation of psychological traps remains insufficiently studied, which is an obstacle to the inclusion of relevant recommendations in forensic investigation techniques. These problems have become the subject of the research on which this article is based. In the course of this research, a wide range of methods were used, in particular: dialectical, synthesis and analysis, situational, system-activity method. The use of these methods made it possible to determine what is meant by a psychological trap, what is its nature, its place among other forensic means of investigation. The result of this definition was the recommendation to include psychological traps in private methods of investigating crimes, since this allows optimizing the establishment of the circumstances of the relevant event of criminal activity. Thanks to this, the practice of using psychological traps can become more widespread.

Artifacts Analysis and Utilization of Decentralized Web Service ZeroNet for Digital Forensics

Recently, various decentralized network web services are emerging. However, the decentralized network web service is not well exposed to general users because it is difficult to access it using a general portal search engine. This point is similar to the deep web, and in the case of Tor (The Onion Routing), a kind of deep web. It has been used for various online crimes such as distribution of child pornography and online drug dealing, and its usage is continuously increasing. Therefore, the decentralized network web service is also likely to be abused for crimes, and forensic investigation techniques are needed to respond to the crime of the decentralized network web service. This paper is about artifact analysis to identify traces of users accessing and actioned on ZeroNet, which is one of the decentralized network web services, and the digital forensic method for applying to forensic investigations for decentralized network web services. As a result, the method of acquiring artifacts for meaningful user access trace analysis and the storage structure of access record trace data were analyzed for a total of five platforms including Windows and macOS. As a result of analyzing the acquired data, it was able to identify users who distributed decentralized network web services through the illegal decentralized network web service address accessed by the user, a list of files downloaded to access the decentralized network web service and BitTorrent. In addition, it constructed a hypothetical scenario and presented a plan to use it from the perspective of forensic investigation. Through this thesis, when ZeroNet, a kind of decentralized network web service, is found on the user’s PC during a forensic investigation, it contributes to the development of forensic investigation techniques by presenting a method to obtain a list of decentralized network web service addresses, downloaded files, and users sharing files.

Forensic aspects of the methodology for assessing the legality and validity of initiating a criminal case on the organization of a criminal community (criminal organization) or participation in it by the prosecutor

Organized criminal activity is always difficult to investigate, the committed criminal acts are numerous and socially dangerous, cause a noticeable public outcry and, as a result, more thorough than usual control and supervision over their investigation by the leadership of higher prosecutorial and investigative bodies. Criminal cases initiated in connection with the commission of such crimes are extremely voluminous and complex in terms of evidence. This creates difficulties in assessing the legality and validity of the decisions of investigators to initiate criminal cases on the organization of a criminal community (criminal organization) or participation in it by the prosecutor. The methodology of prosecutorial supervision over investigations of crimes is based on a comprehensive procedural and forensic approach, which assumes the prosecutor’s knowledge of forensic investigation techniques. The author considers the features of the methodology of prosecutorial supervision over the initiating criminal cases of the category under consideration, depending on the forensic technology implemented by the investigator for their detection and investigation.

Cold Case: Factors That Promote Case Solvability

The killing of one person by another is a topic that attracts a lot of media interest in our society. It is the responsibility of law enforcement officials to find solutions to these offenses, or at least find the perpetrators of such heinous crimes and bring them to justice. Despite the fast rise of forensics and the technology that goes with it, there are still unsolved instances of murders whose investigations have stalled for more than a year without apprehension of a perpetrator or the full appreciation of the circumstances leading to those incidents. Such murders/homicides are often referred to as cold cases. A retrospective study based on article reviews was conducted to explore characteristics that enhance cold case solvability, in order to determine which factors; forensic evidence or investigation technique has a larger impact on the clearance of cold case homicides. Basically, solvability factors refer to information about a case that aid in “clearing and closing” same (Moran & Llc, n.d.). Cold cases and the solution to unsolved homicides have piqued the interest of numerous law enforcement organizations in recent years. However, there has been little to no research done to determine the number of cases in Ghana and the elements that contribute to effective resolutions. Law enforcement and others have been working nonstop to resolve some of these cases. This paper aims to explore the factors that promote cold case solvability, thus factors that influence the selection of cold cases for investigations with a significant degree of solving such. The study found that research literature on cold case solvability was limited, mostly outdated, and largely not supported by scientific and empirical data. Furthermore, it found that available research provided no empirical or scientific proof of specific factors that can improve or influence cold case solvability, except for proposed solvability matrixes. It concluded that there is a need for further research to close the gap in literature related to characteristics and factors of cold cases/unsolved homicides that can help investigators to solve or achieve justiciable closure to cold case homicides.

Probing the Metabolic Landscape of Plant Vascular Bundles by Infrared Fingerprint Analysis, Imaging and Mass Spectrometry.

Fingerprint analysis is a common technique in forensic and criminal investigations. Similar techniques exist in the field of infrared spectroscopy to identify biomolecules according to their characteristic spectral fingerprint features. These unique markers are located in a wavenumber range from 1800 to 600 cm−1 in the mid infrared region. Here, a novel bioanalytical concept of correlating these spectral features with corresponding mass spectrometry datasets to unravel metabolic clusters within complex plant tissues was applied. As proof of concept, vascular bundles of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) were investigated, one of the most important and widely cultivated temperate zone oilseed crops. The link between mass spectrometry data and spectral data identified features that co-aligned within both datasets. Regions of origin were then detected by searching for these features in hyperspectral images of plant tissues. This approach, based on co-alignment and co-localization, finally enabled the detection of eight distinct metabolic clusters, reflecting functional and structural arrangements within the vascular bundle. The proposed analytical concept may assist future synergistic research approaches and may lead to biotechnological innovations with regard to crop yield and sustainability.

Historical autopsy: A contribution to the investigation of State terrorism crimes in Uruguay

Historical autopsy has been defined as the forensic investigation of the cause, manner and circumstances of a death bearing historical, humanitarian or judicial interest, based on the systematization and interpretation of the available information provided by documents and testimonies, when there was no direct access to the corpse or skeletal remains. Its purpose is getting closer to the truth or, at least, discarding some hypotheses or versions. Four paradigmatic cases of political violence in Uruguay that occurred in the 1970s are reported. In all of them, the historical autopsy demonstrated the falseness of official versions and significantly contributed to prove the criminal responsibility of State agents. Three of them correspond to deaths that occurred in the context of torture and the fourth to a military operation with multiple victims. In addition to contributing to court decisions, the psychosocial benefit of clarifying the facts surrounding human rights violations is well known from the perspective of humanitarian forensic action. As with any forensic investigation technique, it requires knowledge of both its scope and limitations.

A Scientific Analysis to Observe Uniqueness in Lip Print Pattern

Every individual have their unique identification like palm print, signature, finger print, face recognition, lip print etc.. here in this research one such effort is made to analyses lip print and identify the individual using their lip print. The wrinkle and grooves pattern on the lips has individual characteristics like tongue prints, face recognition, iris pattern, fingerprints. Cheiloscopy is a forensic investigation technique that deals with identification of humans based on lips traces. Image processing technique is used, lip print of the individual is captured, processed and analyzed for conclusion.

Digital Forensics Subdomains: The State of the Art and Future Directions

For reliable digital evidence to be admitted in a court of law, it is important to apply scientifically proven digital forensic investigation techniques to corroborate a suspected security incident. Mainly, traditional digital forensics techniques focus on computer desktops and servers. However, recent advances in digital media and platforms have seen an increased need for the application of digital forensic investigation techniques to other subdomains. This includes mobile devices, databases, networks, cloud-based platforms, and the Internet of Things (IoT) at large. To assist forensic investigators to conduct investigations within these subdomains, academic researchers have attempted to develop several investigative processes. However, many of these processes are domain-specific or describe domain-specific investigative tools. Hence, in this paper, we hypothesize that the literature is saturated with ambiguities. To further synthesize this hypothesis, a digital forensic model-orientated Systematic Literature Review (SLR) within the digital forensic subdomains has been undertaken. The purpose of this SLR is to identify the different and heterogeneous practices that have emerged within the specific digital forensics subdomains. A key finding from this review is that there are process redundancies and a high degree of ambiguity among investigative processes in the various subdomains. As a way forward, this study proposes a high-level abstract metamodel, which combines the common investigation processes, activities, techniques, and tasks for digital forensics subdomains. Using the proposed solution, an investigator can effectively organize the knowledge process for digital investigation.

The Personal Identification by Means of Cheiloscopy among People of North India

Introduction: Personal identification is becoming increasingly important not only in legal medicine but alsoin criminal investigation, identification and in Genetic Research. The grooves present on the lips are uniquefor every person. Cheiloscopy is a forensic investigation technique that deals with the identification basedon lip traces.The aim of this study was to assess the specific lip print pattern for personal identification, itsuniqueness among males and females and the reliability of the technique in suspect identification at thecrime site.Materials and Methods: The study sample comprised 200 individuals (100 males and 100 females) agedbetween 10 and 50 years; dark?colored lipstick was applied uniformly on the lips and clear impressions ofthe lips were taken on the bond paper. The scanned lip-print image studied using Microsoft office picturemanager. Fingerprints were analyzed by following the classification given by Suzuki and Tsuchihashi.Chi?square test and p-value of the samples were calculated.Results: The study revealed that the lip print patterns for each individual were unique and there was nopeculiar pattern distribution among male and female subjects.Conclusion: Cheiloscopy is analogous to fingerprint analysis and can be used as a tool for individualidentification along with dermatoglyphics. It can also be used as an aid in forensic sex determination.

Forensic Accounting Investigation Techniques and Successful Prosecution of Corruption Cases in Nigeria

With the upsurge in the loss of high profile corruption cases by the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, resulting from the inability of the prosecutors to come before courts with legally acceptable evidence, the adoption of forensic accounting investigation techniques in corruption investigation and prosecution has become imperative. The objective of this study is to examine the potency of forensic accounting investigation techniques in corruption investigation and prosecution in Nigeria. The survey design was used in the study with sample population consisting of investigators and prosecutors drawn from the four anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria (Economic and Financial crimes commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Code of conduct Bureau (CCB) and Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU). The Yamane’s formular was used in the determination of the sample size. The technique adopted for analysis of returned questionnaires include descriptive and inferential statistical methods, while Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test the only hypothesis formulated for the study. The findings form the study indicates that there is a significant and positive relationship between the adoption of forensic accounting investigation techniques in corruption investigation and successful prosecution of corruption cases in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that all the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria should always adopt forensic accounting investigation techniques in all their corruption investigation so as to be able to come up with evidences that will be supportive in prosecution of corruption cases in courts.

The Concept of Computer Crimes, Place in the Criminal Legislation of Russia and the Place of Information Features in the Structure of the Elements

The article considers topical issues of fighting a new form of crime - cybercrime. This category of crime is relatively new to the criminal legislation of Russia, which is due to the fact that in the last decade, with the rapid development of information technologies there has appeared a new form of socially dangerous acts related to trafficking information, and even the long-known criminal acts (e.g. fraud) have undergone a significant transformation. The author considers some of the previously proposed definitions of cybercrime, identifies their strengths and weaknesses. The conclusion is that the separation of information crimes should not connect directly with the presence in their elements of features related to information, but due to the fact that their mechanism involves the use of information technologies and (or) information and telecommunication networks. These crimes are high-tech in nature, which leads to significant specific features of criminological and forensic investigation techniques. The following main groups of information crimes have been outlined: specific information crimes, crimes of general criminal nature where the application of information technologies significantly facilitates the commission of criminal acts or the concealment of its traces, provides for a systematic and widespread commission of criminal acts and also crimes of general criminal nature, where the use of such technologies has no significant impact on the criminal outcome. The author points out the place where each of these categories can be found in the criminal law. In addition, the author investigates the question of the place of information features in the structure of an offense, following the examples of defamation, computer fraud and unlawful access to computer information. It is concluded that there is some undesirability of dealing with information as the subject of crime with regard to its intangible character; alternatives for referring the information to other elements of the crime are suggested.

CHEILOSCOPY: A Study on Lip Print Patterns among the Gujarati Population

Cheiloscopy, the study of lip prints, is a tool in forensic investigation technique that deals with identification of individuals based on lips patterns. The objective of this study is to determine predominant lip print pattern found among the Gujarati population, to evaluate whether any sex difference exists and to study the permanence of the pattern over 6 months duration. The study comprised of 100 healthy individuals (50 males and 50 females), in the age group of 18–25 years of Gujarati population of the Gandhinagar region of the Gujarat state, India. By using Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification, Lip prints were then divided into four quadrants and also classified on the basis of peripheral shape of the lips. Materials used to record the lip prints were dark brown colored lipstick, cellophane tape and white bond paper. Lipstick was applied uniformly and Lip prints were taken on the glued portion of cellophane tape and then stuck on to a white bond paper. These lip prints were analyzed with magnifying lens and virtually with stereo microscope. On the analysis of the subject population, results showed Branched pattern Type II (29.57%) to be most predominant in the Gujarati population. Branched pattern Type II (35.60%) and long vertical Type I (28.28%) were most prevalent in males and females respectively and Large Full lips were most predominantly present in both the sexes.

Preface to the Volume 2 Issue 1 of Indian-Pacific Journal of Accounting and Finance

Preface to the Volume 2 Issue 1 of Indian-Pacific Journal of Accounting and Finance

Mitigating Corruption Using Forensic Accounting Investigation Techniques

Corruption has been one of the everyday concern for many nations. The effect of corruption has been very devastating in countries across the globe including the developed nations. However, reports indicate that the developing nations are more susceptible to corruption and particularly within the public sector. Nigeria is an example of a developing facing the problem of corruption within the enclave of its public-sector services. Essentially, public sector service performances in Nigeria is inseparable from corruption in one form or the other. Over the years, successive have been making efforts to address the issue of corruption in the country. These efforts eventually saw the emergence of the setting up of two prominent anti-corruption agencies. Still with these agencies corruption persists in the country. Part of the problem identified is lack of competent investigative machinery to appropriately dig into the root of all corruption cases and to prosecute such cases in the court of justice. It follows that the forensic accounting investigation technique is identified as the best option and the anti-corruption agencies have adopted the technique in their investigation. This study, therefore, using qualitative research methodology based on in-depth interviews with experts from these agencies, examines the efficacy of the technique. Data collected were manually coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Through rigorous within the case and cross-case analyses of the 24 interviews conducted, two themes emerged as the findings to the study. Forensic accounting is considered an appropriate technique for adequately investigating public sector corruption and at the same is suitable for court purposes in the prosecution and conviction of corrupt officers. Finally, the study recognizes the need to enhance the capacity of the investigators through training and retraining as well as through the provision of the latest equipment.