Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), sometimes known as drones, are highly developed devices in the fields of electronics, robotics, and aviation. A technological chronology of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) illustrates the evolution over nearly thirty years. Drones are used for a variety of purposes, including transportation, aerial photography, geographic mapping and rescue operations. Drone services can also be utilized in the field of forensic science. Examining the crime scene is one of them.
The present methods for investigating crime scenes are laborious, time-consuming, prone to contamination, and require skilled workers. Drones are a novel tool for crime science investigations. UAVs are versatile tools that can be used to investigate crime scenes. such as taking pictures, recording videos, looking for evidence, evaluating safety, inspecting locations that are hard or impossible to get to, etc.
A drone's advanced functions include the ability to send photos to the ground control centre, where an expert may analyse the information and provide guidance or direction for a proper investigation and reconstruction of the crime scene. In addition to reducing scene contamination, the use of UAVs can map and inspect a specific location prior to a visit.
In this blog, we have highlight the importance of drone application in criminal investigation along with the challenges.
Advantages of Drone-Based Crime Scene Mapping
A. Accuracy and Precision
- Improved measurement and geographical analysis
- High-resolution aerial images
B. Time and Cost Efficiency
- Quick deployment and data gathering
- Lower labor and logistics expenses
C. Safety and Risk Reduction
- Minimal disturbance of the crime scene
- Access to dangerous or inaccessible places
D. Comprehensive Documentation
- Making 3D models and 2D maps
- The long-term storage of crime scene information
E. Enhanced Courtroom Presentation
- Better comprehension of spatial relationships
- Visual clarity for juries and judges
Current Threats and Impact of UAVs
Due to occurrences where drones have been unlawfully flown in no-fly zones, drone misuse puts organizations, public safety, and national security at risk. Because of these risks, drone forensic programs are crucial for improving knowledge of drone technology and lowering crime rates, particularly when they are effective in obtaining evidence for a case. Nevertheless, despite the advantages a drone forensics program will offer law enforcement organizations, this field is still largely untapped.
Since drone crime is only constrained by the criminal's imagination, both citizens as well as law enforcement need to have a more accurate awareness of the hazards posed by drones.
The increasing popularity and accessibility of UAVs among consumers makes it simpler for criminals to exploit the technology for illicit purposes. Drones have been used for a variety of crimes, including theft of card information from ATMs, smuggling, criminal damage, and spying/stalking. Every technology has the potential to be abused, which can result in problems and detrimental effects on both individuals and the community as people begin to fear what the technology can do. Drones' versatility and adaptability make law enforcement's job even more difficult as they must deal with freshly emergent crimes and disruptions—possibly without the required regulations in place for direction.
Legal Implications
There are laws in place that specify how drones should be used and regulations that must be followed, such as making sure the right drone licenses are possessed, depending on the purpose of the drone. Since drones were never intended for illegal use, there are countless potential drone crimes, making it impossible to enact legislation to address them all. Legislation covering general drone misuse—that is, anything that harms or distresses a person, piece of property, or community—can be created.
This makes it easier to understand what is prohibited by law, which is likely to have repercussions. According to the NPCC's head for drone crime, anyone who chooses to use drones for illegal purposes should be aware that they will face severe repercussions and that police will use all of their resources to look into and prosecute them.
The Civil Aviation Act of 1982 and the Air Navigation Order of 2016 (modified in 2018) govern current drone rules, which include flight restriction zones and appropriate drone usage. It was suggested in 2019 that all drones be required to be registered, including potential competency exams. Law enforcement might find it easier to identify illicit drone use if law-abiding citizens registered their drones. Although this idea works well for newly registered drone users, it is impossible to guarantee that every drone bought before the new rules will be registered. Unfortunately, despite all the technology and laws in place, criminals will still find a way to carry out their illegal acts.
Challenges in Drone Forensics
Some of the present difficulties in drone forensics are covered in this section.
Anti-Forensics: It is simple to think that it is challenging to commit a crime without the use of a digital device at some point in the past because the digital age is constantly evolving and an integral element of contemporary life. As a result, in recent years, the field of digital forensics has grown to be crucial to criminal investigations.
But over time, people have discovered and developed a variety of tools and techniques for deleting or concealing data. These techniques are known as "Anti-Forensics Techniques." There are several ways to perform anti-forensics as of the time this chapter was written; some examples are given below:
1. Artefact Wiping
Clearing the slack and unused space with programs like "Eraser" and "BC Wipe"
Data Hiding
- Data relocation: moving data to a portable device
- Steganography
- Altering file extensions
- Signature analysis catches this out
Trial Obfuscation
- Modification of Metadata
- Altering timestamps
Attack on Computer Forensic Tools (CFT) and processes
- Forensic tools are well known and well documented
- If an attacker were to obtain a copy of the program, they may become familiar with its features and vulnerabilities.
- DoS attack
UAV Legislation
Because UAVs are so common, it's critical that their usage be regulated and that rules be established to guarantee that they be utilized securely and safely without putting others in danger. All users of UAV devices are required to abide by the guidelines established by the CAA in The Air Navigation Order 2016 which later got amended in March 2019). The CAA and NATS worked together to create the "Drone Safe" website. The website offers a number of features, such as a copy of the "Drone Code," which outlines the rules that must be followed when operating such devices, details on beginner flyers' training options, and general UAV device resources like authorized retailers' names and security forms.
Manufacturers of UAV devices, like DJI, provide advice on local and international laws in addition to the CAAs' efforts. On their website's "Fly Safe" page, users can choose a country and region, such as Europe or the UK, and details about the most recent laws will be shown.
- No Fly Zones
- Airfield Restrictions Maps
- Useful Mobile Safety Apps
Conclusion
Drone-based crime scene mapping offers a fast, accurate, and safe alternative to traditional investigative methods. By enabling high-resolution imaging, 2D mapping, and 3D reconstruction, UAVs help preserve evidence, reduce scene contamination, and improve crime scene analysis and courtroom presentation.
However, the misuse of drones and the technical challenges of drone forensics—such as anti-forensic techniques and data manipulation—raise serious legal and security concerns. While existing aviation laws and regulations aim to control UAV operations, continuous updates, effective enforcement, and public awareness are essential.
Overall, when used within legal boundaries, drones can significantly strengthen criminal investigations, provided technological innovation is balanced with strong forensic capability and regulatory oversight.