Dark web intelligence, emoji decoding, interactive lessons, and advanced threat detection — Forensic Pathways is at the forefront of protecting vulnerable people from technology-facilitated abuse, and now bringing that expertise directly into UK schools.
Forensic Pathways Featured by the BBC for Pioneering Work in Online Safety and Dark Web Investigation
Birmingham-based digital forensics firm Forensic Pathways has been featured by the BBC following its role in a landmark research initiative targeting the online abuse of women and girls. The CyberDIVA project — a collaboration between Forensic Pathways and Aston University — has produced a powerful suite of protective tools designed to help individuals, parents, educators, and organisations better identify and respond to online harm.
The project was developed in response to the largest ever study of technology-facilitated abuse against women and girls in the UK, with findings that highlight just how urgent this issue has become.
The Scale of the Problem: What the Research Revealed
The data uncovered during the CyberDIVA research phase is striking:
- Nearly 70,000 incidents of technology-facilitated abuse were recorded between 2021 and 2024
- Over 50,000 officially recorded incidents of online harassment and malicious communication were identified
- The most targeted demographic: women aged 16 to 34, alongside a significant number of girls under 16
While boys and men are also affected by online abuse, the research confirmed that women and girls bear a disproportionate burden — spanning everything from sexual harassment in virtual reality environments, to catfishing, stalking, and the exploitation of personal data shared innocently online.
As Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, project lead at Aston University, explains: “Online harms are not just restricted to online spaces. It pours over into your physical world, into emotional and sentimental spaces — into how you look at yourself and how you are in society.”
What is CyberDIVA? A Multi-Agency Response to Digital Violence
CyberDIVA (Cyber Digital Investigations into Violence and Abuse) brings together a broad coalition of expertise — including Aston University academics, telecommunications companies, West Midlands Police, and Forensic Pathways — to create practical, accessible tools for tackling online abuse.
The toolkit includes:
- An emoji decoder — helping adults and safeguarding professionals understand coded language being used to target or groom children online, where humour is often weaponised to disguise harmful intent
- Dark web threat intelligence tools — drawing on Forensic Pathways’ extensive proprietary database to identify emerging patterns of abuse and exploitation
- Guidance resources for parents and carers — empowering families to have informed conversations with young people about online risks
Forensic Pathways Director Ben Leary led the technical development of the toolkit, drawing directly on the firm’s years of experience in dark web investigation and digital forensics intelligence.
Introducing the CyberDIVA Educational Platform: Online Safety Education Built for Schools
One of the most significant outcomes of the CyberDIVA project is an interactive educational platform developed by Forensic Pathways, purpose-built for use in schools and educational settings across the UK. This platform puts forensic-grade intelligence into the hands of teachers, safeguarding leads, and young people themselves — in an age-appropriate, engaging format.
What the Platform Includes:
📚 Structured Lessons Curriculum-aligned lesson content covering online safety, digital abuse, healthy relationships online, and the real-world consequences of technology-facilitated harm. Lessons are designed for ease of delivery by teachers, with no specialist knowledge required.
🎮 Interactive Games Engaging, scenario-based games that help young people recognise warning signs, practise safe online behaviour, and understand the tactics used by online abusers — in a safe, educational environment. Learning through play significantly improves knowledge retention and encourages open conversation.
😈 Emoji Decoder Forensic Pathways’ unique emoji decoder tool — developed using real dark web intelligence — helps students, teachers, and parents understand how emojis are increasingly used as coded language to facilitate grooming, harassment, and exploitation. Understanding this hidden language is a critical first line of defence.
📖 Dictionary of Online Harm Terms A comprehensive, regularly updated glossary of online slang, platform-specific terminology, and coded language used in harmful online contexts. This resource helps adults stay informed and enables young people to identify and report abuse with confidence.
Why Schools Need This Platform Now
With nearly 70,000 incidents of technology-facilitated abuse recorded in just three years, and girls under 16 among the most vulnerable, the case for structured online safety education has never been stronger. The Online Safety Act places increasing responsibility on schools and organisations to protect young people — and the CyberDIVA educational platform gives them the tools to do so effectively.
“We wanted to develop resources that would help not only young women and girls, but parents with confidence to help their child navigate this world.” — Dr Anitha Chinnaswamy, CyberDIVA Project Lead, Aston University
Who the Platform is For:
- Primary and secondary schools looking to deliver effective, evidence-based online safety education
- Safeguarding leads and DSLs seeking up-to-date resources on online grooming, harassment, and abuse
- Teachers and pastoral staff who want engaging, ready-to-use lesson materials
- Parents and carers wanting to understand the language and tactics used to target young people online
- Local authorities and multi-academy trusts seeking a scalable online safety solution across multiple schools
To find out how the CyberDIVA educational platform can be deployed in your school or trust, contact Forensic Pathways today.
Forensic Pathways: Leaders in Dark Web Intelligence and Digital Forensic Investigation
Founded in Birmingham in 2001, Forensic Pathways has grown into one of the UK’s most respected names in digital forensics, dark web monitoring, and threat intelligence. The CyberDIVA project is the latest example of how the company applies cutting-edge forensic technology to real-world social challenges.
Our Core Services Include:
Dark Web Investigation & Monitoring Our proprietary platform Clarifyi continuously monitors dark web marketplaces, forums, and chat rooms to identify threats, data breaches, criminal activity, and reputational risks before they escalate.
Digital Forensics & Criminal Intelligence From mobile phone data analysis to ballistics and forensic laboratory consultation, we provide law enforcement agencies, legal firms, and corporate clients with the evidence and intelligence they need.
Cyber Threat Intelligence We identify emerging cybercriminal tactics — including phishing, ransomware-as-a-service, and malware — and help organisations build robust defences.
Due Diligence & Fraud Investigation Background investigation services, corporate intelligence, and fraud analysis for businesses, law firms, M&A transactions, and financial institutions.
Online Safety & OSINT Services Open-source intelligence (OSINT) gathering and social media investigations to support safeguarding, legal proceedings, and reputational protection.
Why This Matters: Online Abuse Is a Real-World Problem
One of the most important messages to come out of the CyberDIVA project is that what happens online does not stay online. Researcher Nina Jane Patel experienced sexual assault of her avatar in a virtual reality environment; survivor Harkirat Kaur Assi was catfished and psychologically manipulated. Both women speak powerfully about the lasting real-world impact of digital abuse.
Assi highlights a commonly overlooked risk: “Often grandparents think nothing of sharing details about their grandchildren with strangers.” Even well-intentioned online behaviour can create vulnerabilities that abusers exploit.
The message from CyberDIVA is clear — awareness, intelligence, and the right tools can make a critical difference.
Protecting Your Organisation and the People Within It
Whether you are a business concerned about cyber threats and dark web exposure, a legal professional requiring digital forensic support, or an organisation with safeguarding responsibilities, Forensic Pathways has the expertise and technology to help.
We work with:
- Law enforcement agencies and police forces
- Legal and financial institutions
- Corporate and M&A businesses
- Universities and academic institutions
- Schools, Colleges and multi-academy trusts
- Local authorities and safeguarding organisations
- Private clients and safeguarding organisations
