Deepfake technology is moving faster than the systems meant to catch it, and investigators now have to overcome a new challenge: proving that a video wasn’t altered rather than simply showing what it contains. Courts are beginning to doubt what they see, and defense attorneys are ready to question everything.
MeaFuse takes on a different approach; rather than trying to catch every fake after the fact, it focuses on locking in proof the moment digital evidence is captured. The result is a shift in how law enforcement can protect the integrity of video, audio, and images from the start.
What makes this possible, and how does this state-of-the-art digital evidence management system change the job for frontline officers and prosecutors? This get interesting.
The Challenge of Authenticity in the AI Era
Law enforcement agencies are entering an era where traditional assumptions about digital evidence are under pressure.
Generative AI tools can fabricate highly convincing video content in minutes. Legal experts are already preparing for a “deepfake defense” where attorneys challenge the authenticity of visual evidence. In response, agencies need more than content analysis tools; they need proof that a video has not been altered since the moment it was recorded.
Standard AI-based detection systems can flag anomalies, but they are reactive by design and increasingly vulnerable to evasion.
Slight tweaks in synthetic media generation techniques have been shown to bypass many current classifiers. Europol and legal commentators alike have warned that manipulated footage can derail investigations before facts are established.
Police departments need a proactive strategy that affirms authenticity at the source rather than chasing fakes after the fact.
How MeaFuse Locks Integrity at the Point of Capture
As a leading digital evidence management system, MeaFuse provides a front-loaded solution; instead of trying to verify evidence later, it captures integrity from the outset.
The platform runs directly on existing law enforcement hardware such as smartphones, body-worn cameras, drones, or laptops. No new devices are needed, which removes logistical friction and accelerates deployment.
Each digital file, whether a 4K video, audio recording, web page, or still image, is cryptographically fingerprinted using a SHA-256 hash at the exact moment of capture.
That hash, along with metadata such as timestamp, GPS location, and device ID, is written to a patented private blockchain. The chain is append-only and tamper-evident, creating a continuous, immutable audit trail.
Once captured, the evidence is encrypted to NIST and CJIS standards both in transit and at rest. The encrypted files are then synced to the MeaFuse cloud, making them immediately available for authorized users.
Supervisors can then view content in near real-time from different locations, which improves decision-making in active investigations.
Design Aligned With Forensic Best Practices
MeaFuse’s architecture aligns directly with guidance from forensic authorities, such as the Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence (SWGDE) and NIST. SWGDE emphasizes continuous chain-of-custody, verifiable hash values, and secure transport, all of which MeaFuse implements by design.
Each file is tied to a verifiable SHA-256 fingerprint. Every few seconds during video capture, individual frame hashes feed into Merkle trees; tampering with even a single frame breaks the chain, making alterations immediately detectable.
The high degree of fidelity provided satisfies evidentiary standards, particularly under Rule 901(b)(9) of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which concerns the validation of reliable system-generated outputs.
Functionality Designed for Real-World Use
Police departments often operate under tight budgets and unpredictable conditions, and MeaFuse was built with this in mind.
Broad compatibility with existing devices means agencies can implement the platform without extra hardware spending. The capture process fits into existing workflows with minimal training, making it well-suited for crime scene teams, traffic investigators, or detectives conducting interviews.
Captured video interviews are automatically transcribed in real time, with each transcript hashed and sealed like any other file. The added detail provided by this feature can strengthen case support, whether during an investigation or in a courtroom setting.
Officers can also capture entire web pages, which is useful for documenting social media posts that may be deleted shortly after discovery. Each page is saved as a fully rendered document and recorded into the blockchain for verification at any future point.
A public validator portal allows prosecutors, defense attorneys, or even journalists to independently verify a file’s authenticity. They can simply upload the evidence and receive an instant confirmation if the hash matches the on-chain record.
Seamless Integration Into Police IT Systems
MeaFuse is designed to work in tandem with existing digital evidence management systems. Through an open REST API, agencies can pull hash data directly into case management systems, preventing evidence silos. It keeps every case file tied to its media, so nothing gets lost, and the integrity of the data is always clear
IT teams can begin with a pilot program using mobile phones. Crime scene photographers or traffic officers can test the platform in the field without disrupting operations.
From there, the system can scale across divisions and agencies can map each file’s hash to booking numbers or case IDs to streamline records. Updated policy documents can cite the on-capture hashing process as compliance with federal admissibility standards.
Training prosecutors is a recommended part of the rollout. A simple two-page overview and access to the validator portal can prepare legal teams to handle authenticity questions before trial, minimizing potential courtroom challenges.
Proving Authenticity Starts the Moment You Hit Record
With deepfakes on the rise and public trust under pressure, the ability to prove digital authenticity from the first moment is fundamental. MeaFuse offers a direct, on-capture solution that protects the integrity of video, audio, images, and even social media content without requiring agencies to overhaul their existing hardware or workflows.
At CPI OpenFox, we bring decades of experience supporting law enforcement with innovative, purpose-built technology. If you’re ready to modernize your digital evidence management system workflows and add a layer of confidence to every capture, we’re here to help.
Visit our website to schedule a consultation, call 1-(630)-547-3088, or email us at sales@openfox.com to get started. You can also reach us through our online contact form to start a conversation about bringing verified digital integrity directly into your agency’s hands.
