Forensic Analysis of Memetic Image Propagation: Introducing the SMOC BRISQUEt Method

Publication Date

10-13-2021

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Title

Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology

Volume

58

Issue

1

DOI

10.1002/pra2.448

First Page

196

Last Page

205

Abstract

This paper introduces a mixed-methods approach for forensically reconstructing the propagation of visual media via networked digital devices. The authors present case studies drawn from political misinformation around the January 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol. Using interpretive analysis, the authors identify traces of user interfaces that remain in images being shared about the riots. Using computational analysis, the authors evaluate compression levels in digital photographs of the events in question, thus identifying which instances of the image are closer to the source (as well as which images appear to be identical). By combining these two approaches, the authors argue that SMOC BRISQUEt refines our understanding of misinformation's memetic spread—helpful in curbing future abuses as well as in guiding the production of more effective cross-platform spread when desired.

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