This research theme involves a number of projects that seek to both develop tools designed to detect to prevent cybercrime. These projects are, and involves the development of digital forensic software, as well as the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based interventions.

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

Developing digital forensics software to enhance police investigations

This research has fused AI and advanced analytical methodologies to develop novel digital forensics software capability designed to enhance investigative practices within law enforcement. This software has demonstrated utility in child sexual abuse cases, and has potential for broader application across diverse policing environments

This research was funded by the Australian Institute of Criminology.

Consolidating intelligence data to identify and rescue victims of child sexual abuse

This important four-year project will develop and implement new analytical methods to both identify and facilitate the rescue of victims of child sexual abuse. It will be delivered in partnership with South Australia Police, the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (Australia), and academic collaborators from Deakin University and San Jose State University.

This research is funded by the Australian Research Council.

Mapping child responses to online grooming to improve educational interventions

This research will offer new empirical insights into young Australians’ experiences of grooming and sexual solicitation online. Additionally, the work will provide practical recommendations that can be used to improve Australian educational interventions aimed at removing children as targets for online sexual abuse.

Examining the legal and ethical dimensions of using automated data collection technologies to combat cyber threats in Australia

This project will identify, interpret, and clarify the relevant legal frameworks and ethical requirements guiding the deployment of automated data collection technologies (including data scraping) in Australia. The aim of this work is to develop a series of practical recommendations that will serve to guide researchers and practitioners when navigating this novel terrain.

This research is funded by the Cybersecurity Cooperative Research Centre.

FEATURED RESEARCH outputs

links to research outputs

Books

1. Cybercrime Prevention: Theory and Applications (2019)

Articles

1. The Benefits and risks of implementing cloud-based technologies for child sexual abuse investigations in Australia (2024)

2. Advancing child sexual abuse investigations using biometrics and social network analysis (2023)

3. Developing automated methods to detect and match face and voice biometrics in child sexual abuse videos (2022)

4. Establishing a framework for the ethical and legal use of web scrapers by cybercrime and cybersecurity researchers: learnings from a systematic review of Australian research (2023)