A Survey of Source Camera Attribution Applications Using PRNU

Abstract

PRNU (Photo Response Non-Uniformity) is a sensor noise component that arises from the non-homogeneous structure of the semiconductor materials used in the production of image sensors, physical differences during the sensor manufacturing stage, and other unpredictable irregularities and defects. The PRNU characteristic differs among camera sensors, even within the same brand and model, and remains constant over time. In other words, it possesses a unique quality for each camera sensor. PRNU unintentionally embeds itself in every captured image, much like a fingerprint. Thanks to these features, PRNU enables various forensic applications for image and video, including source camera identification, file integrity verification, and forgery detection. This study presents an examination of PRNU-based source camera detection, which is the most common application of PRNU. Different scenarios in recordings of various resolutions and stabilized videos are discussed separately. © 2023 IEEE.