나보미, 김기범, 이은지,

Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 335-346, 4월. 2025
10.13089/JKIISC.2025.35.2.335, Full Text:
Keywords: Audio File Forgery, M4A File, Digital Forensics, File Structure Feature, iOS
Abstract

The development of digital technology has simplified audio recording, leading to an increase in its use as digital evidence in judicial proceedings. However, due to the susceptibility of manipulating and tampering with recorded files, issues may arise in achieving several aspects(i.g., the integrity, authenticity, and reliability) which are prerequisites to condiser such files as evidence. This study aims to propose characteristics for detecting whether audio files are tampered with to support to achieve the consensus in such files’ abilities as evidence. Using M4A files generated by the Voice Memos application on iOS devices, this study performed three types of editing actions—deletion, trimming, and replacement—and compared the original files with their edited counterparts. Its findings identified specific indicators of forgery in the audio file when compared to the original. The difference between the original and the tampered file was found. Based on the differences between the original and forgery files, a code was implemented to automatically determine whether an M4A file has been tampered with upon input, and its accuracy was verified. This thesis is expected to enhance the assessment of the audio file’s evidence admissibility in court and assist in estimating the extent and nature of edits applied to M4A files.

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