This thesis examines the use of non-textual evidence in international criminal prosecutions. This evidence frequently emanates from open source locations where the quality and legitimacy of the... Show moreThis thesis examines the use of non-textual evidence in international criminal prosecutions. This evidence frequently emanates from open source locations where the quality and legitimacy of the images are suspect. Further, the use of artificial intelligence to create deepfakes and other misleading images impedes the search for truth. This work conducts an in-depth exploration of the use of non-textual evidence for proof and didactic purposes and emphasizes the need for improved visual literacy among counsel and the court. It identifies and explores existing challenges in the creation, acquisition, processing, and use of this evidence, and makes recommendations for how those challenges might be profitably addressed. The role of forensic analysis in image authentication, the detection of image forgery, and the assessment of image content is examined. This work examines emerging technical frontiers and advanced visual representations in atrocity crime prosecutions. It concludes with policy and practice recommendations for improving the current legal approach to the authentication and use of non-textual evidence at the ICC. Significantly, this work makes targeted recommendations for how to transcend the status quo to push the use of non-textual evidence to the next level in international criminal justice. Show less
