BlackBag Now Provides Law Enforcement Agencies With AI-Based Image Recognition


BlackBag assists law enforcement agencies with AI based image recognition technology to help with child abuse investigations in the latest release of BlackLight.

The significant advances in neural networks and AI based computer recognition allows machines to accurately recognize and classify the content of digital images and videos. BlackBag is now using artificial intelligence to help in the fight against Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).The CSAM detection module is the latest feature to be delivered as a result of the recently announced technology partnership between Image Analyzer and BlackBag Technologies. Image Analyzer developed the technology as part of their Visual Threat Intelligence solution in partnership with law enforcement.

While law enforcement has used checksum database technology in the past to detect known CSAM images, the new AI based CSAM detection module is capable of detecting previously unseen material, which is unknown to law enforcement. This allows investigators to quickly identify recently generated material and potential new victims.

The task of identifying illicit images and videos in a criminal investigation can be a very time-consuming process and is often like looking for a needle in a haystack. A single case can contain thousands or millions of images and videos, most of which are not relevant to the investigation. Even when reviewing images in a convenient thumbnail gallery a human can only moderate a few thousand images per hour. For this reason, cases requiring image review are very time consuming and resource intensive.


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BlackBag’s new CSAM module allows investigators to use computer vision AI to sort images based on risk, significantly reducing the time to discover critical evidence.

Speaking on the integration of the new feature in Blacklight Ben Charnota, Chief Customer Officer at BlackBag, commented, “as we have begun rolling out this new category to agencies in the United States, we are encouraged by how satisfied they are with the accuracy of the results. The ability to correctly categorize thousands upon thousands of images with this critical category saves countless hours of human examiner time. By prioritizing pictures and videos most likely to contain CSAM content to the top of our media view examiners can more quickly identify contraband.”

The new feature is now available in BlackBag’s latest release of BlackLight: BlackLight 2019 R2.

To learn more about BlackLight, request a quote, request a trial, or renew your license, click here.

Want to see BlackLight 2019 R2 in action?

Join BlackBag’s Vice President of Engineering, Drew Fahey, and Director of Product, Ashley Hernandez, as they walk you through the partnerships to connect BlackLight with other tools in your toolkit, the expanded searching capabilities and long requested enhancements. Register here to watch on-demand.

About BlackBag Technologies:

BlackBag® Technologies offers innovative forensic acquisition and analysis tools for both Windows and macOS based computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices. Its forensic software is used by hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies around the world, as well as by leading corporations and consultants, to investigate all types of digital evidence associated with both criminal, civil and internal investigations. BlackBag® Technologies also develops and delivers expert forensics training and certification programs, designed for both novice and experienced forensics professionals. To learn more, visit www.blackbagtech.com.

About Image Analyzer:

Image Analyzer is a UK based artificial intelligence company that specializes in visual threat recognition. Image Analyzer develops the AI powered IAViS technology, designed to recognize visual threats such as adult material, extremism and graphic violence. The company provides its technology through an OEM only channel of over 30 leading IT Security vendors, as an integrated component in their product offerings in email filtering, web filtering, E-forensics, content moderation, brand protection and parental controls. Image Analyzer holds a number of patents in its technology space. To learn more, visit www.image-analyzer.com.

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