ABSTRACT
The online distribution of child sexual exploitation material (CEM), commonly referred to as child pornography, is conducted through a variety of mediums. Growth in the availability of cellular phones, cameras, webcams, and other image and video recording technology, coupled with the efficient global reach provided by cyberspace, has turned a traditionally isolated crime into an international community (Hillman, Hooper, & Choo, 2014). In turn, this has put considerable physical, mental, and resource strain on those combating the crime (Bourke & Craun, 2014; Burns, Morley, Bradshaw, & Domene, 2008; Craun, Bourke, & Coulson, 2015; Krause, 2009; Perez, Jones, Englert, & Sachau, 2010; Powell, Cassematis, Benson, Smallbone, & Wortley, 2015). The ever-increasing prevalence and complexity of online CEM distribution requires that an interdisciplinary approach be adopted to improve combat efforts. Central to this interdisciplinary approach is the incorporation of technologies that can reduce the strain experienced by child sexual exploitation investigators, including intelligently automating some of the detection processes, to increase efficiency and minimize visual contact with CEM and to prioritize targets.
