A robust JPEG quantization step estimation method for image forensics

IF 2.7 3区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

Signal Processing-Image Communication Pub Date : 2025-09-15 DOI:10.1016/j.image.2025.117402

Chothmal Kumawat , Vinod Pankajakshan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Estimating JPEG quantization step size from a JPEG image stored in a lossless format after the decompression (D-JPEG image) is a challenging problem in image forensics. The presence of forgery or additive noise in the D-JPEG image makes the quantization step estimation even more difficult. This paper proposes a novel quantization step estimation method robust to noise addition and forgery. First, we propose a statistical model for the subband DCT coefficients of forged and noisy D-JPEG images. We then show that the periodicity in the difference between the absolute values of rounded DCT coefficients in a subband of a D-JPEG image and those of the corresponding never-compressed image can be used for reliably estimating the JPEG quantization step. The proposed quantization step estimation method is based on this observation. Detailed experimental results reported in this paper demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method against noise addition and forgery. The experimental results also demonstrate that the quantization steps estimated using the proposed method can be used for localizing forgeries in D-JPEG images.

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一种用于图像取证的稳健JPEG量化步长估计方法

从解压缩后以无损格式存储的JPEG图像（D-JPEG图像）中估计JPEG量化步长是图像取证中的一个具有挑战性的问题。由于D-JPEG图像中存在伪造或附加噪声，使得量化步长估计更加困难。提出了一种新的抗噪声和伪造的量化步长估计方法。首先，我们提出了伪造和噪声D-JPEG图像子带DCT系数的统计模型。然后，我们证明了D-JPEG图像的子带中四舍五入DCT系数绝对值与相应的未压缩图像的绝对值之差的周期性可以用于可靠地估计JPEG量化步骤。提出的量化步长估计方法就是基于这一观察结果。详细的实验结果表明，该方法具有抗噪声和伪造的鲁棒性。实验结果还表明，利用该方法估计的量化步长可以用于D-JPEG图像的伪造定位。

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来源期刊

Signal Processing-Image Communication 工程技术-工程：电子与电气

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

2.90%

发文量

138

审稿时长

5.2 months

期刊介绍： Signal Processing: Image Communication is an international journal for the development of the theory and practice of image communication. Its primary objectives are the following: To present a forum for the advancement of theory and practice of image communication. To stimulate cross-fertilization between areas similar in nature which have traditionally been separated, for example, various aspects of visual communications and information systems. To contribute to a rapid information exchange between the industrial and academic environments. The editorial policy and the technical content of the journal are the responsibility of the Editor-in-Chief, the Area Editors and the Advisory Editors. The Journal is self-supporting from subscription income and contains a minimum amount of advertisements. Advertisements are subject to the prior approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The journal welcomes contributions from every country in the world. Signal Processing: Image Communication publishes articles relating to aspects of the design, implementation and use of image communication systems. The journal features original research work, tutorial and review articles, and accounts of practical developments. Subjects of interest include image/video coding, 3D video representations and compression, 3D graphics and animation compression, HDTV and 3DTV systems, video adaptation, video over IP, peer-to-peer video networking, interactive visual communication, multi-user video conferencing, wireless video broadcasting and communication, visual surveillance, 2D and 3D image/video quality measures, pre/post processing, video restoration and super-resolution, multi-camera video analysis, motion analysis, content-based image/video indexing and retrieval, face and gesture processing, video synthesis, 2D and 3D image/video acquisition and display technologies, architectures for image/video processing and communication.