Hybrid AI tool unmasks hidden digital abuse to transform forensic investigations

Description

Researchers from the University of Huddersfield have developed a hybrid AI tool to detect patterns of psychological abuse, including coercive control, in a bid to transform digital forensic investigations and mental health research.

This innovation was developed as a primary outcome of Researcher Dhruv Patel’s PhD work under the mentorship of senior lecturer Dr Anju Johnson and is designed to address a bottleneck in modern digital forensic investigations, integrating insights from a broader research team to ensure its real-world application.

Subject

Mr Patel, who was awarded a Vice-Chancellor Scholarship by the University for his PhD research, commented: “The sheer volume of digital data in modern investigations makes it incredibly difficult for human analysts to spot the subtle, long-term linguistic markers of narcissism and psychological abuse. By integrating textual analysis with the evaluation of human emotion via computer vision, we are moving towards a truly multimodal approach. This ensures that no nuance is missed, providing an essential framework for both forensic investigations and complex mental health diagnosis.”

Dr Johnson added: “As lead supervisor of this research, I have seen how it transforms the way we approach digital evidence. This Huddersfield-led innovation is a cornerstone for the modern justice system, providing a scientifically rigorous bridge between raw data and psychological truth. By quantifying the hidden dynamics of personality disorders and abuse, we are giving prosecutors and the judiciary a transparent, objective toolkit. This doesn't just clear forensic bottlenecks; it ensures that the voices of the most vulnerable are backed by undeniable, trial-ready data.”