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A proposed digital forensic tool for video content analysis in the investigation process : overcoming challenges and improving efficiency

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😌 VCAT – Video Content Analysis Tool for Digital Forensics

VCAT (Video Content Analysis Tool) is a digital forensic solution designed to assist analysts and law enforcement in processing and analyzing video evidence using AI-powered modules. It integrates object detection, OCR, and speech recognition into one streamlined pipeline.


Key Features

  • Object Detection via GroundingDINO – Detects visual targets in video frames using text-based prompts.
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) via PaddleOCR – Extracts text from video frames (e.g., signs, billboards).
  • Speech Recognition via Whisper – Transcribes spoken content in video audio.
  • AI Prompt Search – Use natural language prompts to focus search on specific events or objects.
  • Court-Admissible Reporting – Structured output with timestamps, GPS, confidence score, and hash verification.
  • Built on Google Colab for easy deployment and reproducibility.

Workflow Overview

Flowchart drawio
  1. Input
    • Case info, forensic image, analyst data
    • Keywords/prompts like: "billboard, white car, #StopTheGenocide, Palestine"
  2. Video Processing
    • Extract frames and audio
    • Run through AI modules (GroundingDINO, PaddleOCR, Whisper)
  3. Filtering & Grouping
    • Based on frame index and confidence score
  4. Output Report
    • Includes parsed results: timestamps, artifacts, confidence, GPS
    • Format aligned with forensic standards (NIST, SWGDE)
  5. methodology*

Sample UI

VCATUI
  • Google Colab form interface
  • Input fields for paths, case info, and prompts
  • Checkboxes to activate modules
  • One-click report generation

Input & Output

Input

  • Video files (from forensic image)
  • Analyst and case metadata
  • Prompt keywords for search focus

Output

  • JSON/CSV structured result files
  • Auto-generated forensic report via ReportLab
  • Confidence-ranked evidence per frame/audio

Forensic Integrity

  • All hashes are calculated on video files to ensure authenticity.
  • Adheres to NIST 800-86 and SWGDE guidelines.
  • Supports chain-of-custody documentation.

Thesis & Research

This tool is part of the master's thesis:

“A Proposed Digital Forensic Tool for Video Content Analysis in the Investigation Process”
by Ruwa’ Fayeq Suleiman Abu Hweidi – PTUK, 2024
[V-CAT](Forensic_Tool_for_Video_Content_Analysis_Ruwa_thesis (20).pdf)


📜 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License – see the LICENSE file for details.

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A proposed digital forensic tool for video content analysis in the investigation process : overcoming challenges and improving efficiency

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