Análisis comparativo de herramientas digitales forenses con IA en el marco de los delitos informáticos en Ecuador

Dario Javier  Catagua Zambrano; Denise Soraya  Vera Navarrete

doi:10.56124/encriptar.v9i17.007

Authors

Dario Javier Catagua Zambrano Universidad Técnica de Manabí
Denise Soraya Vera Navarrete Universidad Técnica de Manabí

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56124/encriptar.v9i17.007

Keywords:

digital forensics, artificial intelligence, cybercrime, digital tools, digital investigation

Abstract

This article describes how Ecuador ranks as the third Latin American country with the highest incidence of cybercrime, a problem exacerbated by rapid digital transformation and an outdated legal framework. Furthermore, this study conducts a comparative analysis of the performance of digital forensic tools enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI)—Autopsy, Magnet AXIOM, and Belkasoft Evidence X—aiming to identify solutions to strengthen digital investigations in the country. The methodology adopted was mixed, combining the technical processing of a standardized forensic image (ntfs1-gen1.E01) with a survey targeting experts, academics, and industry professionals. The technical results showed that Magnet AXIOM, thanks to its integrated native AI, processed the evidence in 50 seconds, demonstrating excellence in speed and automation. Belkasoft Evidence X excelled in evidence recovery, identifying 74 multimedia items through its visual semantic filters and intuitive interface. Autopsy, although noticeably slower and reliant on the manual installation of external plugins to emulate AI functionalities, was confirmed as a viable option for institutions with budget constraints. The survey revealed a critical training gap: 75% of professionals use these tools only "sometimes," highlighting a disconnect between technological potential and common practice. It is concluded that the implementation of these technologies must be accompanied by massive specialized training programs and a comprehensive update of the Ecuadorian legal framework, which should criminalize modern digital crimes and establish protocols to legally validate evidence obtained through AI.

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