International Forensics Summer School 2026
Trustworthy Forensics: AI, Evidence Reliability and Justice in the Digital Era
Ensuring Scientific Rigor, Legal Validity and Shared Standards for Digital Evidence
12-18 July 2026
Call for Partecipation
Call for Participation deadline for IFOSS 2026 has been extended until 22 MAY 2026.
Discover all of IFOSS 2026 speakers and JOIN us
2026 Edition - Trustworthy Forensics: AI, Evidence Reliability and Justice in the Digital Era
The fifth edition of IFOSS will aim to provide both an objective and clear overview and an in-depth analysis of the state-of-the-art research as well as the professional best practices in Forensics and related fields. The courses will be delivered by world-renowned experts, from either academia, law enforcement, and industry, and will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of real Forensics problems. Leading scientists from the different fields involved will introduce the topics. A typical course is broad enough to provide a general introduction to the chosen topic, while also allowing participants to explore the most relevant contributions in depth. The school aims to provide a stimulating opportunity for professionals and young researchers, as well as PhD students. Following the great success of the previous editions with about 75 attendees from all over the world this year we will focus on Digital Forensics and Law with specific emphasis on the AI revolution.
Application
The school will be open to about 75 qualified, motivated and pre-selected candidates. Ph.D. students, post-docs, young researchers (both academic and industrial), senior researchers (both academic and industrial) or academic/industrial professionals are encouraged to apply here
The expected school fee will be in the order of €550 for Master and Phd students granted by academia, €600 for other academic positions and €700 for industrial. Reduced Fee will be reserved to LEAs, private lawyers and practitioners €400. The fee will include all course materials, coffee breaks, bus service from Catania Airport to School Location and return, WiFi Internet Connection, a guided tour, a social dinner and all the events scheduled in the programme.
A certain number of scholarships will be available soon depending on sponsorship income.
Applications to attend IFOSS 2025 should be received before 15/05/2025.
Applicants will receive notification of acceptance by mid of May.
Late registration can be done with an extra payment of €100.
PhD FORUM
A special session is organized for participants who intend to take advantage of the audience for presenting their current research/tool in the covered areas. A Special Issue to follow up on the themes covered in the School will be published in some indexed high-impact journals (to be announced early). Applicants are particularly encouraged to submit their original research to the SI (the usual refereeing procedure applies to guarantee the highest scientific standards).
SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Prof. Sebastiano Battiato, Ph.D.
University of CataniaProf. Donatella Curtotti, Ph.D.
University of FoggiaProf. Giovanni Ziccardi
Università degli studi di Milano
Program 2026
IFOSS 2026 Opening Ceremony
A brief introduction to forensic science — definitions – forensic process – casework – RD&I – education – quality
Coffee break
Deepfake Detection in the Era of Generative AI
Cinema
Mind, Body and Code: Passwords, Biometrics and the Law of Digital Forensics
Coffee Break
Industrial Panel
Poster/Demo/Exhibitions session
Can we trust the Likelihood Ratio obtained with a black-box model?
Coffee Break
The impact of digital evidence on investigative activity between legal safeguards for the parties and investigative needs: breakthrough and unresolved issues.
Q&A on Digital Forensics, Law and AI
Football match
Antifragile Deepfake Detection: Robustness, Adversarial Threats, and Open-Set Challenges for Digital Evidence
Coffee Break
Forensic Biometrics: the use of biometric data, databases and technology in forensic applications
Gala Dinner
Trustworthy Visual Forensics in the Generative AI Era: Deepfakes, Biometrics, Explainable AI and Bias-Aware Analysis
Closing
Social Dinner at Zefiro Restaurant
Disco Dance
2026 Edition speakers
Michele Nappi
University of SalernoLuisa Verdoliva
University Federico II of NaplesPROF. DR. DIDIER MEUWLY
University of TwenteIrene Amerini
Sapienza University of RomeAngela Procaccino
University of FoggiaGiovanni Tessitore – Senior Forensic Scientist
Ministero dell'InternoRoberto Murenec
Digital Evidence Specialist (CFDA) - CIFI - CSTMIC
Location
Application
PhD FORUM
A special session is organized for participants who intend to take advantage of the audience for presenting their current research or tools in the covered areas.
EXTENDED ABSTRACT + POSTER SESSION Participants are invited to submit extended abstracts describing original research contributions or innovative case studies in the areas covered by the School. Accepted abstracts will be presented in a dedicated poster session during the event. The best contributions will be selected for invitation to submit an extended version for inclusion in a Special Issue of an international peer-reviewed journal.Although all lectures will be delivered in English, multilingual multimedia support materials will be provided to facilitate broader accessibility and inclusion.
APPLICATION
The school will be open to about 75 qualified, motivated and pre-selected candidates. PhD students, post-docs, young researchers (both academic and industrial), senior researchers (both academic and industrial) or academic/industrial professionals are encouraged to apply at: www.ifoss.it
The expected school fee will be in the order of € 550 for Master and Phd students granted by academia, € 600 for other academic positions and € 700 for industrial. Reduced Fee will be reserved to LEAs, private lawyers, and practitioners € 400. The fee will include all course materials, coffee breaks, bus service from Catania Airport to School Location and return, WiFi Internet Connection, a guided tour, a social dinner and all the events scheduled in the programme.Single-day registrations will also be available for participants who wish to attend specific sessions of the School.
A certain number of scholarships will be available soon depending on sponsorship income. Although all lectures will be delivered in English, multilingual multimedia support materials will be provided to facilitate broader accessibility and inclusion.
Applications to attend IFOSS 2026 should be received before 22/05/2026 (extended deadline).
Applicants will receive notification of acceptance by mid-May. Late registration can be done with an extra payment of € 100.
ACCOMODATION
IFOSS participants will be hosted at Hotel Village Baia Samuele (school location) at very special rates. There are no other accommodation options. IFOSS 2026 participants must make reservations for accommodation, using the accommodation reservation form (available soon) to be sent directly to Baia Samuele reception. After a certain date there is no guarantee for reservations in Hotel Village Baia Samuele. More information will be announced as soon as possible on the web site. Depending on chosen settings (Single, Double or Triple Room) the overall cost enclosing Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner should span in the range (650-1000 euros) in the period 12(in) to 18 (out) July 2026.
