Using open-source software and interdisciplinary teaching to increase digital forensics accessibility, and inclusivity, with sustainable development and learning in higher education

Ensuring rigorous forensic image processing means not only adhering to the relevant industry standards but also a solid foundation of teaching the principles behind the skills. This study examines six years of a level 5 undergraduate "Forensic Image Processing" module and focuses on using open-source software and interdisciplinary teaching to provide a competence based active learning environment, to improve professional development. A discussion of the importance of understanding how an image is processed is included, especially when applying automated processes. The results of this approach show a benefit of education for cultural diversity. Within the module the computing workshops have a negligible award gap, while the exam shows a 6% gap in favour of ethnic minority students. The major factor affecting student outcomes in the module is the year it was delivered partly with online learning via remote workshops with a drop of average attainment for all students.