Published in the peer-reviewed journal Forensic Sciences, the paper, A Conceptual Architecture and Validation Roadmap for Digital Chain of Custody in Forensic Scene Management, proposes a framework for integrating emerging technologies into crime-scene investigation while maintaining the integrity and traceability of evidence.
Schwebs, who is affiliated with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Central Arkansas, collaborated with Professor Barone, an internationally recognized specialist in forensic archaeology, geophysical investigation, and the application of scientific technologies to crime-scene analysis. Their collaboration illustrates how expertise across disciplines can contribute to research addressing complex real-world challenges, connecting AUR's academic community with emerging developments in forensic science.
The research introduces the Automated Forensic Intelligence and Chain of Custody (AFIC) framework, a proposed system that would combine crime-scene photography, three-dimensional reconstruction, AI-assisted identification of potential evidence, and secure digital recordkeeping.
The aim is to help investigators document complex scenes, identify items requiring expert examination, and maintain reliable records of how evidence is collected, analyzed, and handled.
Crucially, the framework keeps human expertise at the center of the investigative process. AI would support forensic specialists by identifying potentially relevant information and organizing it for review, rather than replacing professional judgment.
The paper also outlines the technical, ethical, and legal safeguards that would be necessary before such a system could be deployed. While the framework remains conceptual, it establishes a roadmap for future development, testing, and validation.
Commenting on the finished paper, Professor Barone stated, “Charles’s journey from AUR’s Archaeology and Classics program into computer science and forensic AI shows how far interdisciplinary curiosity can take you. Our paper carries that spirit forward, exploring how AI might support forensic investigators while keeping human expertise and rigorous validation at the center.”
While Charles himself was keen to point out, "AUR gave me the best of both worlds. I loved the humanities and wanted to explore archaeology in depth, but I also had a natural aptitude for computers. Although I was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, AUR gave me the opportunity to develop my technical skills and explore the technological side of archaeology. That foundation has proved invaluable. I'm now pursuing a master's degree in a field related to GIS, and the GIS courses I took at AUR gave me the credits I needed to meet the entry requirements for every master's program I considered.”
Read the full research paper at https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6756/6/4/95