The Call for Papers (CFP) is open! DFRWS invites contributions in the categories listed below. The submission details are listed below under SUBMISSION INFORMATION.

FULL RESEARCH PAPERS undergo double-blinded peer review, and the proceedings are published by Elsevier as a special issue of the Journal of Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation. We ask to submit articles according to the submission instructions.

Systematization of Knowledge Papers: As this marks the 26th occurrence of the conference, a substantial body of knowledge has been published through this platform over the years. Therefore, we solicit Systematization of Knowledge (SoK) papers that systemize, contextualize and evaluate existing knowledge of digital forensics. A suitable SoK paper needs to provide unique insights, such as a new viewpoint, a comprehensive taxonomy, and new evidence in supporting or challenging long-held beliefs. A survey paper without such insights is not appropriate and may be rejected without full review. An SoK paper submission needs to have the prefix “SoK:” in the title, and select the checkbox in the submission form. Accepted SoK papers will be presented at the conference and included in the proceedings.

PRESENTATIONS / DEMOS require a brief proposal (~500 words, not a full research paper). These proposals undergo a light review process to select presentations of maximal interest to DFRWS attendees and to filter out sales pitches. Accepted proposals will be given a presentation slot (~15 minutes) during the conference. Note that the presentation/demo will not be part of the published proceedings.

POSTERS allow for the presentation of current research efforts and the discussion of preliminary results with the Digital Forensics Community. Consequently, posters can include early results, a brief demonstration of a prototype, or can outline research ideas. Posters will be available on the website, and authors have the opportunity to present during breaks to receive feedback from the community. Note that posters will not be part of the published proceedings.

WORKSHOPS / TUTORIALS can be 2 to 4 hours (please indicate) and ideally include hands-on participation by attendees, allowing for an in-depth, detailed exploration of tools and techniques of interest to DFRWS attendees. Workshops can cover state-of-the-art research projects, useful tips and techniques for standard tools, or almost anything that DFRWS attendees would consider beneficial. While commercial tools can be used, these workshops should NOT be thinly veiled commercial advertisements.

Note that DFRWS will provide one free conference registration for each workshop accepted.

PANEL PROPOSALS should be one to three pages long and clearly describe the topic, its relevance, and a list of potential panelists, including their biographies (short). Panels will be evaluated based on the topic relevance and diversity of the panelists.

Submission Information
We ask you to submit all contributions via EasyChair (select the appropriate track during submission). Please make sure to follow the submission guidelines. Organizers may reject work that does not follow the listed criteria.

Please Note: Accepted papers, presentations, demos and poster submissions will require at least one author to register to attend and present in-person. Full Research Papers require a Full Registration.

Venue
The DFRWS USA organizing committee is currently planning the conference as a hybrid event, where attendees can attend virtually or physically in George Mason University, Arlington, VA. Note that this may change according to government regulations. Regardless of how you participate, the program will include Keynotes, Papers and Presentations, Hands-on Workshops, Poster and Demo Sessions, the Forensics Rodeo, Interactive Birds of a Feather Sessions, Lightning Talks, and, of course, Social Events.

Student Scholarship and Award Program
DFRWS continues its outreach to students studying digital forensics. DFRWS and its sponsors will award scholarships each year to students (first authors) who present their accepted research papers. One scholarship will be awarded to the Best Student Research Paper awardee. More scholarships may be awarded, depending on sponsorship funding each year. Exact award amounts will vary but usually cover at least registration expenses for a future conference. DFRWS will notify the recipient of the Best Student Research Paper award on or before the conference registration deadline. Other awards (e.g., industry-sponsored awards for research in specific topic areas) may be awarded after the registration deadline and are entirely contingent on scholarship sponsorship by industry each year. Refer to the website for further details regarding eligibility, funding, and selection (Student Scholarship & Award Program).

Contact Information
For questions related to participation (e.g., research papers, presentations, etc.), please send an email to: usa-papers (at) dfrws (dot) org

For general questions about DFRWS US, please send an email to: usa (at) dfrws (dot) org

Topics of Interest
DFRWS welcomes new perspectives that push the envelope of what is currently possible in digital forensics. Potential topics to be addressed by submissions include, but are not limited to:

Machine learning and data mining for digital evidence extraction/query
Malware and targeted attacks (analysis and attribution)
Forensics analysis and visualization of Big Data
Non-traditional forensic scenarios/contexts
Network and distributed system forensics
Mobile and embedded device forensics
Cloud and virtualized environments
Vehicle forensics (e.g., drones, cars)
SCADA / industrial control systems
Covert channels (e.g., TOR, VPN)
Additive manufacturing / 3D printers
Medical devices
Smart power grids
Smart buildings
Virtual currency
Digital forensic preparedness/readiness
Digital investigation case management
Digital evidence sharing and exchange
Digital forensic triage/survey
Digital forensic tool validation
Event reconstruction methods and tools
Digital evidence and the law
Case studies and trend reports
Anti-forensics and anti-anti-forensics
AI forensics
HCI’s intersection with digital forensics
Use of LLMs in digital forensics
Memory forensics