A Forensic Analysis of Drone Evasion and Counter-Evasion Techniques
Introduction The proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in both recreational and commercial sectors has been paralleled by their increasing exploitation in criminal activities. This has initiated a critical technological arms race between malicious drone operators, who seek to conceal their actions, and forensic investigators, who are developing sophisticated methods to uncover them. The analysis presented in this report highlights a fundamental shift in the forensic discipline: moving from a traditional, reactive, post-mortem analysis of captured devices to a proactive, hybrid framework. This new approach integrates real-time data acquisition, digital reconstruction through technologies like digital twins and sensor fusion, and the meticulous examination of non-digital, physical evidence. While significant advancements have been made in both offensive and defensive techniques, the field is constrained by an underdeveloped legal and regulatory framework that struggles to keep...