Insights to the Forensic Investigation of a Custom Built UAV

TL;DR

This paper explores forensic investigation techniques for custom-built UAVs, focusing on data retrieval and analysis to support criminal investigations and address security concerns.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive methodology for UAV forensic analysis, including data extraction, flight path reconstruction, and source identification, based on simulated scenarios.

Findings

Effective data retrieval from UAV digital containers

Methodology for reconstructing flight paths

Identification of UAV origin and media content

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized numerous application fields since their introduction. Alongside this, advancements in mechanics and electronics have simplified and decreased the cost of system design. As a consequence, UAVs have dominated the global market across all sectors from recreational products to military applications. However, the widespread use of UAVs has also contributed to an increase in criminal activity involving them. UAVs have become a common means of delivering narcotics, arms, and ammunition, collecting sensitive personal information, and snooping in restricted areas, among other activities. This could constitute a threat to national security. Despite its growing significance, UAV forensics is still a relatively unexplored field of study. In this paper, we present new insights on UAV forensic analysis in terms of preliminary analysis, accessing the digital containers of the UAV, and retrieving vital data. With the aid of a simulated scenario, a comprehensive methodology for the analysis of retrieved data to establish conclusions on the flight path, source of origin, recover flight data, and acquire media file content is presented.