International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAI in Digital Forensics: Detecting Deepfakes and Synthetic Media Attacks
Authors- Manoj Kumar
Abstract--In the ever-evolving landscape of cybercrime, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as both a threat and a tool in digital forensics. With the proliferation of deepfakes and synthetic media, malicious actors are now able to manipulate audio, video, and images with alarming realism, undermining the credibility of digital evidence and threatening national security, public trust, and individual reputations. This paper explores the critical role AI plays in detecting these increasingly sophisticated media attacks and its integration into the field of digital forensics. By leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and neural networks, digital forensic investigators can now analyze patterns, inconsistencies, and digital signatures that escape human perception. The paper delves into the technical underpinnings of deepfakes, explores AI-based detection methodologies, and evaluates current research progress and limitations. It also addresses the legal and ethical challenges posed by synthetic media, including issues related to admissibility of evidence, privacy violations, and potential misuse of AI tools. In addition, case studies of successful detection instances will be examined to highlight practical implementations. As deepfakes continue to grow in sophistication and accessibility, digital forensics must evolve to meet the challenge, requiring a cross-disciplinary approach involving computer science, law, ethics, and policy-making. Ultimately, this paper advocates for the establishment of robust, AI-powered frameworks and international standards to detect and mitigate synthetic media attacks. This will help strengthen public trust in digital evidence and maintain the integrity of judicial and investigative processes.
DOI: /10.61463/ijset.vol.13.issue2.393
