Using Whois Based Geolocation and Google Maps API for support cybercrime investigations

A major challenge facing all law-enforcement and intelligence-gathering organizations is accurately and efficiently analyzing the growing volumes of crime data. Cybercrime refers to any crime that involves a computer and network, where computer may or may not play an instrumental part in the commission of the crime. Detection and investigation of cybercrime can likewise be difficult because busy network traffic and frequent online transactions generate large amounts of data, only a small portion of which relates to illegal activities. In this paper, we are focusing on technologies that can help to improve the effective investigation of cybercrime, facilitate police work and enable investigators to allocate their time to other tasks. We have developed an IP mapping tool called MIPA that combines online mapping techniques and IP geolocation technology, and uses application functionality from disparate web sources. The emergence of the Web 2.0 and user-friendly online mapping techniques have created public interest in contributing information through Webenabled geospatial tools. Moreover, IP geolocation is essential in law enforcement to identify the appropriate jurisdiction to handle enforcement of computer crime statues. Cybercrime investigators must apply a spectrum of techniques to discover associations, identify patterns, and make predictions. We have developed a tool that can be of great help law enforcement agencies during cybercrime investigations and to improve its accuracy and efficiency. Key-Words: Cybercrime Investigation, IP geolocation, Maps API, Mapping solutions