Tampering Methods Research Articles

Copy-Move Forgery Detection Based on Keypoint Clustering and Similar Neighborhood Search Algorithm

Copy-move is one of the most commonly used methods of tampering with digital images. Keypoint-based detection is recognized as effective in copy-move forgery detection (CMFD). This paper proposes an efficient CMFD method via clustering SIFT keypoints and searching the similar neighborhoods to locate tampered regions. In the proposed method, the keypoints are clustered based on scale and color, grouped into several smaller clusters and matched separately, which reduce the high time complexity caused in matching caused by the high dimensionality of SIFT. In order to locate the tampered regions accurately at pixel level finally, a novel localization algorithm is designed to compare the similar neighborhoods of matching pairs by two similarity measures, and mark the tampered regions in pixels iteratively. We experimented on three different image data sets including kinds of tampering means to compare and verify the effectiveness and robustness of proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to existing state-of-art methods in terms of matching time complexity, detection reliability and forgery location accuracy.

Rotation Angle Estimation of JPEG Compressed Image by Cyclic Spectrum Analysis

Image rotation is a common auxiliary method of image tampering, which can make the forged image more realistic from the geometric perspective. Most algorithms of image rotation angle estimation employ the peak value on the Fourier spectrum; however, JPEG post-processing brings additional peak interferences to the spectrum, which has a great impact on algorithm performance. In this paper, angle estimation is carried out for images compressed by JPEG. Firstly, the Fourier cyclic spectrum of image covariance is calculated, followed by semi-soft threshold wavelet transform to eliminate the block artefacts brought by JPEG compression. According to the shortest distance principle in the range of the limited amplitude, the processed cyclic spectral data are sorted to select the peak points. Finally, according to the selected peak point, the corresponding position coordinates of the theoretical peak point are found, and the rotation angle of the image is estimated by the theoretical peak point. Experimental results demonstrate that the average absolute error of the proposed algorithm is significantly lower than that of the state-of-the-art methods investigated, which highlights the promising potential of the proposed method as an image resampling detector in practical forensics applications.

A Robust Blind Image Forensic-Detection Method Based On Fuzzy Technique

Blind forensic-investigation in a digital image is a new research direction in image security. It aims to discover the altered image content without any embedded security scheme. Block and key point based methods are the two dispensation options in blind image forensic investigation. Both the techniques exhibit the best performance to reveal the tampered image. The success of these methods is limited due to computational complexity and detection accuracy against various image distortions and geometric transformation operations. This article introduces different blind image tampering methods and introduces a robust image forensic investigation method to determine the copy-move tampered image by means of fuzzy logic approach. Empirical outcomes facilitate that the projected scheme effectively classifies copy-move type of forensic images as well as blurred tampered image. Overall detection accuracy of this method is high over the existing methods.

Detection of Tampering by Image Resizing Using Local Tchebichef Moments

There are many image resizing techniques, which include scaling, scale-and-stretch, seam carving, and so on. They have their own advantages and are suitable for different application scenarios. Therefore, a universal detection of tampering by image resizing is more practical. By preliminary experiments, we found that no matter which image resizing technique is adopted, it will destroy local texture and spatial correlations among adjacent pixels to some extent. Due to the excellent performance of local Tchebichef moments (LTM) in texture classification, we are motivated to present a detection method of tampering by image resizing using LTM in this paper. The tampered images are obtained by removing the pixels from original images using image resizing (scaling, scale-and-stretch and seam carving). Firstly, the residual is obtained by image pre-processing. Then, the histogram features of LTM are extracted from the residual. Finally, an error-correcting output code strategy is adopted by ensemble learning, which turns a multi-class classification problem into binary classification sub-problems. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can obtain an acceptable detection accuracies for the three content-aware image re-targeting techniques.

Cold water extraction of codeine/paracetamol combination products: a case series and literature review

Introduction: Tampering with opioid containing medications for use other than their prescribed indication is well documented; however, the published literature has concentrated on stronger, prescription opioids. Less potent opioids, such as codeine, are available without prescription in many European countries in the form of combination analgesic products and these can also be altered, with reports in particular of “cold-water extraction” being a tampering method achievable using household kitchen equipment.Methods: We searched a database of patients attending two South London emergency departments for cases of self-reported ingestion of the products of cold-water extraction, with subsequent review of their case notes. We searched the scientific and grey literature to identify current knowledge of this technique.Results: We identified seven presentations in six patients, none of whom developed paracetamol toxicity or had concentrations suggesting ingestion of a significant dose of paracetamol. A review of the scientific literature on the method also demonstrated that the technique reduces recovered paracetamol in experimental laboratory settings. Additionally, the established literature characterizes the use of codeine in a recreational setting and reports one fatality associated with the method. Review of grey literature user-forums further describes recreational codeine use in relation to the method and frequent adverse events including hospital admission for paracetamol toxicity.Discussion: Whilst the method appears capable of providing a recreational dose of codeine with reduction in the recovered paracetamol, it cannot be considered safe. Pharmaceutical production methods have been successfully developed to prevent tampering through other means but none thus far have been directed at the cold water extraction technique.Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware of the potential toxicity from tampered nonprescription analgesics. There is also the need for public health education regarding the potential risks associated with these methods.

Geometric transformation invariant block based copy-move forgery detection using fast and efficient hybrid local features

Copy-move forgery in images is a popular tampering method, in which a portion of an image is copied and pasted on some other location of the same image. This paper proposes an enhancement of block based copy-move forgery detection using hybrid local features extraction. In this system, the image is divided into non-overlapping blocks and SURF features are computed from each block. SURF features are matched using 2NN procedure and large blocks are formed by considering the eight neighboring blocks of each SURF features match block. Maximally Stable Extremal Regions are detected from each large region and the extracted SURF descriptors from these regions are compared for matching. Finally, affine transform is applied to remove the outliers. The proposed system is experimented using MICC-F220, MICC-F2000 and MICC-F600 benchmark datasets and it yields better performance in comparison with state of the art techniques.

A Survey of Blind Forensics Techniques for JPEG Image Tampering

Blind forensics of JPEG image tampering as a kind of digital image blind forensics technology is gradually becoming a new research hotspot in the field of image security. Firstly, the main achievements of domestic and foreign scholars in the blind forensic technology of JPEG image tampering were briefly described. Then, according to the different methods of tampering and detection, the current detection was divided into two types: double JPEG compression detection and block effect inconsistency detection. This paper summarized the existing methods of JPEG image blind forensics detection, and analyzed the two methods. Finally, the existing problems and future research trends were analyzed and prospected to provide further theoretical support for the research of JPEG image blind forensics technology.

Abuse-deterrent properties of REMOXY® ER, a high-viscosity extended-release oxycodone formulation.

These in vitro studies compared abuse-deterrent properties of REMOXY ER (extended-release oxycodone), a novel, high-viscosity gel formulation, versus the two currently marketed ER oxycodone formulations. Tampering methods were tailored to each product to maximize oxycodone release with the least complexity, time, and effort, based on the physical/chemical properties of each formulation. Oral abuse was simulated by extracting oxycodone from each manipulated formulation in Common Ingestible Liquids and in Advanced Solvents (not ingestible and requiring additional separation). To simulate injection abuse, oxycodone was extracted from each manipulated formulation in low volumes of injection vehicles, heated or unheated. Inhalation abuse potential was assessed by volatilization. In oral abuse simulations, manipulated REMOXY ER released 2-22 percent of its oxycodone in 20 minutes in five Common Ingestible Liquids, versus 77-85 percent oxycodone released from OxyContin® ER in 5 minutes in four of the five. In six Advanced Solvents, REMOXY ER released 3-37 percent at 20 minutes, versus 55-89 percent released from OxyContin ER at 5 minutes. Minimal oxycodone was extracted from REMOXY ER in five injection vehicles, heated or unheated. In contrast, OxyContin ER released 65-87 percent of its oxycodone within 10 minutes in all vehicles, regardless of heating. Xtampza® ER released 96 percent of its oxycodone in a heated injection vehicle and released 50-60 percent in two unheated injection vehicles. Showing minimal inhalation abuse potential, 9 percent of oxycodone was vaporized from manipulated REMOXY ER at 20 minutes compared to 8.8 percent at 5 minutes for OxyContin ER. In these studies, REMOXY ER demonstrated robust and meaningful abuse-deterrence relative to OxyContin ER and Xtampza ER. Abuse-deterrent drugs were intended to help fight opioid abuse. Yet, the persistence of the opioid epidemic indicates that vast improvements in abuse-deterrent technology are sorely needed. A new, high-viscosity, ER oxycodone formulation showed much improved abuse-deterrent properties in simulations of oral, injection, and inhalation abuse, compared to earlier, first-generation formulations.

Efficient image splicing detection algorithm based on markov features

Image splicing is one of the most common methods for digital image tampering. In this paper, an efficient Markov features based algorithm is proposed for image splicing detection. The proposed algorithm first extracts two types of Markov features, coefficient-wise Markov features and block-wise Markov features in the discrete cosine transform (DCT) domain. The former are obtained by exploiting correlations between consecutive coefficients and the latter are computed by exploiting coefficient correlations between adjacent blocks. Then, a feature vector is obtained by combining these two Markov features and it is fed into support vector machine (SVM) for the classification of authentic and spliced images. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only achieves much higher detection accuracy but also reduces the total running time significantly in comparison with state-of-the-art methods.

CMFD: a detailed review of block based and key feature based techniques in image copy‐move forgery detection

With the advancement of image editing tools in today's world, the manipulation of images like cropping, cloning, resizing, etc., becomes an easy proposition and on the other end, checking or determining whether an image has been manipulated or not, becomes a great challenge. Copy-move forgery in images is the most popular tampering method in which a portion of an image is copied and pasted in some other location of the same image. The detection of copy-move forgery has become a prominent research area. This study presents a detailed review and critical discussions with pros and cons of each of copy-move forgery detection techniques from 2007 to 2017. This study also addresses the variation in databases, issues, challenges, future directions and references in this domain.

Fast and robust copy-move forgery detection based on scale-space representation

Copy-move forgery (CMF), which copies a part of an image and pastes it into another region, is one of the most common methods for digital image tampering. For CMF detection (CMFD), we propose a fast and robust approach that can handle several geometric transformations including rotation, scaling, sheering, and reflection. In the proposed CMFD design, keypoints and their descriptors are extracted from the image based on the Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). Then, an improved matching operation that can handle multiple copy-move forgeries is performed to detect matched pairs located in duplicated regions. Next, the geometric transformation between duplicated regions is estimated using a subset of reliable matched pairs which are obtained using the SIFT scale space representation. In our simulation, we present comparative results between the proposed algorithm and state-of-the-art ones with proven performance guarantees.

Heroin use onset among nonmedical prescription opioid users in the club scene

BackgroundNonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is well documented among participants in the club scene, yet prior studies have not examined transition to heroin use. We prospectively examined heroin initiation among a sample of young adults with drug involvement associated with participation in the club scene, to understand factors that influence transition from NMPOU to heroin and to identify opportunities for intervention. MethodsData were drawn from a randomized trial that enrolled 750 Miami-based club and prescription drug users through respondent driven sampling, and tested the efficacy of assessment interventions in reducing risk. Participants reported current substance use at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups. We examined predictors of heroin initiation among participants reporting NMPOU at baseline, with no lifetime history of heroin use (N=323). ResultsThe mean age was 25.0 years; 67.5% met DSM-IV criteria for substance dependence. About 1 in 13 participants (7.7%) initiated heroin use at follow-up. In univariable comparisons, frequent LSD use, history of drug overdose, high frequency NMPOU, using oral tampering methods, and endorsing a primary medical source for prescription opioids were associated with greater likelihood of heroin initiation. LSD use, oral tampering, and primary medical source were significant predictors in a Cox regression model. ConclusionsHeroin initiation of 7.7% suggests a high level of vulnerability for transition among young adult NMPO users in the club scene. The importance of oral tampering methods in the trajectory of NMPOU may indicate a need to further examine the role of abuse deterrent formulations in prevention efforts.

A Logistic Map-Based Fragile Watermarking Scheme of Digital Images with Tamper Detection

Integrity protection is one of the security mechanisms used to prevent the originality of the content from illegal manipulation. In this paper, the authors have proposed an efficient fragile watermarking scheme to localize the temper region in digital images. To ensure the image integrity, the watermark information insertion is realized into the cover image using a key matrix. A logistic map-based chaotic sequence is considered to produce both the key matrix and the watermark information. The proposed scheme is able to retain high visual quality watermarked image and can precisely detect the tampered region if the image undergoes any attack by various malicious tampering methods. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is presented by performing various malicious tampering attacks on the watermarked images. Experimental results show that the proposed watermarking scheme has achieved the satisfactory performance. The proposed scheme gives better perceptual quality of watermarked image and low false tamper detection rates compared to some other related schemes.

Forgery detection in digital images via discrete wavelet and discrete cosine transforms

When an image is forged through some sophisticated software editing tool, with imperceptibility being the goal, the idea is not to leave any observable trace that may help to distinguish the forged image from the original one–at least with a naked eye. We believe that no matter which type of forgery is employed, there ought to be imperfections in the tampered image that may eventually prove its fakery. Even, forging an image with noble intentions, needs a reasonable amount of care. With this in perspective, we present a forgery detection method that depends on the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) as well as the discrete cosine transform (DCT) for feature reduction. The DCT is applied to the individual blocks obtained after dividing the DWTed image. The blocks are then compared on the basis of correlation coefficients. A mask-based tampering method is also developed as part of the experiments in order to test the detection method. The method shows interesting results when compared to two methods from the literature.

Tampering of opioid analgesics: a serious challenge for public health?

Keywords: Medicines; misuse; opioid analgesics; prescription opioids; signal detection; tampering

ANALISA PERBANDINGAN METODE FILTER GAUSSIAN, MEAN DAN MEDIAN TERHADAP REDUKSI NOISE

This study aimed to compare the Gaussian Method, Mean and Median in performing noise reduction using the programming language Matlab. Can make improvements in particular digital image noise reduction. Limitation of the study is a programming language used to build applications of digital image processing, especially the reduction of noise in this research Matlab programming. Digital image used jpeg extension. The method used method of Gaussian, Mean and Median. Initial image or the input image is an image that is damaged due to disturbances in image noise and generate output * .jpg. Results of the study was the result of improved image noise, especially against tampering methods used method of Gaussian, Mean and Median, of the three methods are used equally well, because all three of these methods can improve the existing noise disturbance. In doing repairs noise on digital images to note the type of interference and a good method to use. The resulting image of this improvement is relatively equal in terms of both the pixel size and the amount of file.Keywords: Gaussian, Mean and Median

A Survey on Keypoint Based Copy-paste Forgery Detection Techniques

Copy-Move forgery is the most common image tampering method to create forged images. The images may be forged to conceal or change the meaning of the photographs. Hence, it becomes important to verify the integrity and authenticity of the images. The copy-move forgery detection can be classified under two heads viz., block based and keypoint based. The block based methods use mostly the similar kind of frameworks but differ in applying feature extraction schemes. The block-based methods are good at detecting the forged regions with high accuracy but is having tremendously high computational complexity. In this paper we review the keypoint approach which is an alternative to block-based approach. The keypoint based copy-move forgery detection schemes involve, detecting and describing the local features of the images by using the algorithms like SIFT and SURF.

Self-reports of prescription opioid abuse and diversion among recreational opioid users in a Canadian and a United States city.

To explore behaviors related to prescription opioid abuse and diversion in individuals who self-reported past recreational (nonmedical) opioid use. A questionnaire was developed and included in two abuse potential clinical studies conducted in Canada (Toronto, ON, August 2010 to January, 2011) and the United States (Salt Lake City, UT, February-May 2011). Recreational opioid users. Self-reported behaviors related to prescription opioid abuse and diversion. The questionnaire was completed by 174 participants in the Canadian study and 80 participants in the US study. Most participants reported that they used prescription opioids for nonmedical purposes a few times a month. Most had taken their first prescription opioid between the ages of 12 and 24 years and the two most common reasons were to treat pain or to feel high/stoned. When asked about specific opioids taken for nonmedical purposes in the past year, oxycodone, acetaminophen with codeine, and morphine were commonly used by both cohorts, whereas hydrocodone use was substantially greater in the US cohort versus the Canadian cohort. Participants reported various tampering methods and routes of administration, with swallowed whole, crushed and snorted, and chewed/crushed and swallowed as the most prevalent. Most participants indicated taking other drugs with prescription opioids to get high, most commonly marijuana and alcohol. The most common sources for obtaining prescription opioids were family/friends. Two cohorts of recreational opioid users from Canada and the United States reported similar experiences with various prescription opioids and indicated a predominance of diversion from family/friends.

Copy-move image forgery detection based on Gabor magnitude

With advancement of media editing software, even people who are not image processing experts can easily alter digital images. Various methods of digital image forgery exist, such as image splicing, copy-move forgery, and image retouching. The most common method of tampering with a digital image is copy-move forgery, in which a part of an image is duplicated and used to substitute another part of the same image at a different location. In this paper, we present an efficient and robust method to detect such artifacts. First, the tampered image is segmented into overlapping fixed-size blocks, and the Gabor filter is applied to each block. Thus, the image of Gabor magnitude represents each block. Secondly, statistical features are extracted from the histogram of orientated Gabor magnitude (HOGM) of overlapping blocks, and reduced features are generated for similarity measurement. Finally, feature vectors are sorted lexicographically, and duplicated image blocks are identified by finding similarity block pairs after suitable post-processing. To enhance the algorithm’s robustness, a few parameters are proposed for removing the wrong similar blocks. Experiment results demonstrate the ability of the proposed method to detect multiple examples of copy-move forgery and precisely locate the duplicated regions, even when dealing with images distorted by slight rotation and scaling, JPEG compression, blurring, and brightness adjustment.

Methods and predictors of tampering with a tamper-resistant controlled-release oxycodone formulation

BackgroundIn April 2014, a tamper-resistant controlled-release oxycodone formulation was introduced into the Australian market. This study aimed to identify the level and methods of tampering with reformulated oxycodone, demographic and clinical characteristics of those who reported tampering with reformulated oxycodone, and perceived attractiveness of original and reformulated oxycodone for misuse (via tampering). MethodsA prospective cohort of 522 people who regularly tampered with pharmaceutical opioids and had tampered with the original oxycodone product in their lifetime completed two interviews before (January–March 2014: Wave 1) and after (May–August 2014: Wave 2) introduction of reformulated oxycodone. ResultsFour-fifths (81%) had tampered with the original oxycodone formulation in the month prior to Wave 1; use and attempted tampering with reformulated oxycodone amongst the sample was comparatively low at Wave 2 (29% and 19%, respectively). Reformulated oxycodone was primarily swallowed (15%), with low levels of recent successful injection (6%), chewing (2%), drinking/dissolving (1%), and smoking (<1%). Participants who tampered with original and reformulated oxycodone were socio-demographically and clinically similar to those who had only tampered with the original formulation, except the former were more likely to report prescribed oxycodone use and stealing pharmaceutical opioid, and less likely to report moderate/severe anxiety. There was significant diversity in the methods for tampering, with attempts predominantly prompted by self-experimentation (rather than informed by word-of-mouth or the internet). Participants rated reformulated oxycodone as more difficult to prepare and inject and less pleasant to use compared to the original formulation. ConclusionCurrent findings suggest that the introduction of the tamper-resistant product has been successful at reducing, although not necessarily eliminating, tampering with the controlled-release oxycodone formulation, with lower attractiveness for misuse. Appropriate, effective treatment options must be available with increasing availability of abuse-deterrent products, given the reduction of oxycodone tampering and use amongst a group with high rates of pharmaceutical opioid dependence.