Steganography as a Way to Conceal Communication in Crimes Related to Drug Trafficking: A Criminalistic Aspect
( Pp. 95-102)
More about authors
Artur G. Kholevchuk
Cand. Sci. (Law), Assoc. Prof., Associate Professor of the Department of Humanities; Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Kuban State University"
Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Kuban State University" in Novorossiysk
; Novorossiysk, Russian Federation
Branch of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Kuban State University" in Novorossiysk
; Novorossiysk, Russian Federation
Abstract:
Abstract: The article examines modern ways of concealing criminal communication by accomplices carried out in the process of committing drug crimes. Such methods include steganography, which is aimed at concealing the very fact of interaction, the transmission of veiled messages between members of a criminal group. Attention is drawn to the difficulties of detecting steganography when conducting a forensic analysis of the circumstances associated with the commission of these crimes, and the need to search for and improve technologies for deciphering information hidden using steganography, and integrating these tools into the system of forensic activities is outlined. The thesis is put forward about the need to use the latest means of steganalysis in the course of detecting criminal communication between members of criminal groups in order to counter drug crimes.
How to Cite:
Kholevchuk, A.G. (2026). Steganography as a Way to Conceal Communication in Crimes Related to Drug Trafficking: A Criminalistic Aspect. Gaps in Russian Legislation, 19(3), 95-102. DOI: 10.33693/2072-3164-2026-19-3-95-102. EDN: CWZBVO
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Mittal P., Kaur R., Dalal M. State-of-the-art image and video-based steganalysis techniques: A comprehensive review, challenges and future recommendations for digital forensic experts // Computer Science Review. 2026. Vol. 59. Art. ID 100852. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosrev.2025.100852.
Shankar D.D., Azhakath A.S. Blind steganalysis-driven secure transmission validation using feature-based classification in JPEG images // Intelligent Systems with Application. 2026. Vol. 29. Art. 200623. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswa.2025.200623.
Komarov I.M. Normativno- organizatsionnye aspekty i sovremennye kriminalisticheskie sredstva bor by s narkomaniey v krupnykh gorodakh // Vestnik Barnaul skogo yuridicheskogo instituta MVD Rossii. 1999. Vyp. 1. C. 63 71. EDN: QBJGBG.
Andriotis P., Oikonomou G., Tryfonas T. JPEG steganography detection with Benford s Law // Digital Investigation. 2013. Vol. 9. Iss. 3 4. Pp. 246 257. DOI:10.1016/j.diin.2013.01.005.
Zong H., Liu F., Luo X. Blind image steganalysis based on wavelet coefficient correlation // Digital Investigation. 2012. Vol. 9. Iss. 1. Pp. 58 68. DOI:10.1016/j.diin.2012.02.003.
Mittal P., Kaur R., Dalal M. State-of-the-art image and video- based steganalysis techniques: A comprehensive review, challenges and future recommendations for digital forensic experts // Computer Science Review. 2026. Vol. 59. Art. ID 100852. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosrev.2025.100852.
Shankar D.D., Azhakath A.S. Blind steganalysis- driven secure transmission validation using feature- based classification in JPEG images // Intelligent Systems with Application. 2026. Vol. 29. Art. 200623. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswa.2025.200623.
Keywords:
steganography, hidden communication channels, steganalysis, digital traces, drug crimes.
