SYTECH Launches Campaign for Evidential Investigative Support to Loss Adjusters and Insurers

The growing ability of artificial intelligence is making it easier to create and manipulate convincing digital images, video and documents that defy detection by those without the necessary skillset. This is presenting a new challenge for insurers and loss adjusters, according to digital forensics specialist SYTECH, which has launched a dedicated service for the insurance sector.

Digital evidence is now routinely used when investigating insurance claims, from photographs and video supporting property losses to emails, falsified documents, mobile phone data and information held in the cloud.

But as AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, establishing whether that evidence is genuine is becoming more difficult. SYTECH warns that insurers and loss adjusters increasingly need to consider not only what digital evidence appears to show, but how it was created and whether it has been altered.

The new campaign is designed to provide access to the digital forensic resources and experts required to preserve, retrieve and evaluate evidential material when its authenticity or provenance is disputed or uncertain.  

The campaign will cover cases including high-value personal and commercial claims, suspected fraud, professional indemnity cases, property and liability disputes, business interruption, cyber insurance and regulatory investigations.

Daren Greener, Managing Director at SYTECH, said the development of AI was changing the nature of some investigations. “Five or 10 years ago, a photograph presented as evidence would generally have been considered on the basis of what it appeared to show. That doesn’t necessarily hold true today,” he said.

“AI can produce very convincing images and other content, while existing editing technology makes it relatively straightforward to alter digital material. For an insurer or loss adjuster, that creates a question about the evidence itself before you even get to the question of assessing the evidential value.”

SYTECH’s specialists can examine photographs, video, audio recordings, documents, emails, mobile devices, metadata and cloud-based evidence. The work includes looking at the provenance of material, identifying signs of manipulation and examining discrepancies that may indicate inconsistencies in the chain of evidence, and that content has been altered or generated artificially.

Daren said the issue was not limited to suspected fraud: “It’s important not to assume that every case involving manipulated or questionable digital evidence is an attempted fraud,” he said. “There can be innocent explanations for inconsistencies, and our job is to establish the technical facts and verify reasonable doubt rather than make assumptions.”

“That independence is particularly important in insurance investigations. An insurer or loss adjuster needs to understand what the evidence can support, what it cannot support and whether there are questions that need further investigation.”

The development also aims to support loss adjusters, who are increasingly encountering digital evidence as part of their investigations.

SYTECH said its specialists can work alongside loss adjusters where digital evidence requires specialist examination, including reviewing falsified documentation supplied in support of a claim, examining mobile devices or assessing digital material connected with complex commercial or civil losses.

“Loss adjusters don’t necessarily need another investigator,” said Daren. “They may simply need someone to support them in a technical advisory capacity.”

“If a photograph is central to a claim, for example, we can examine the file and its associated information and look for evidence of editing or other inconsistencies. If there is information on a mobile device that could help establish a sequence of events, we can examine that too.

“It gives the adjuster another piece of evidence to consider alongside their own findings.”

SYTECH is also offering retained support for insurers that do not have their own digital forensic capability. The arrangement provides access to specialist practitioners when complex digital evidence arises, rather than requiring insurers to maintain an in-house forensic function.

Daren states the model reflected the fact that digital forensic requirements could be difficult to predict: “Most organisations don’t need a digital forensic examiner sitting in their office every day,” he said.

“But when a particularly complicated claim comes along, or there is a question about the authenticity of evidence, they need to know where to turn.

“Having access to specialist expertise at that point can help establish the facts quickly and prevent an investigation being based on evidence that hasn’t been properly tested.”

SYTECH has almost five decades of experience in forensic investigations, including work supporting law enforcement, government and commercial organisations. In recent years, they have been developing their experience in supporting white collar crime. Its wider services include digital forensic examination, technical analysis, expert reporting and expert witness support.

Daren believes the role of digital forensics in insurance will become more significant as the use of AI continues to develop: “We are seeing more claims where digital evidence is central to the investigation,” he said. “Technology is ever evolving and AI is not going away. AI is accelerating fraud and deception offences, we provide the tools and expertise to fight back.”

“For insurers and loss adjusters, the important thing is having a reliable way of testing digital evidence when there is a reason to question it. That’s becoming a much more relevant part of claims investigation in 2026. ”

Image provided by SYTECH

Alicia Ward