The following series of discussion articles (Part 1, 2, 3 & 4) continue the theme concerning 6G and challenging situation concerning the impact of the changing characteristics of technology advancement that needs constant assessment if evidence from it placed in legal proceedings is to be understood to be trustworthy and reliable. Here is Part 1.
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) documents, below, are highly relevant to this article discussion on Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and forensic implications in 6G CSA.
ETSI GR RIS 004 V1.1.1 (2025-03) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS); Implementation and Practical Considerations
ETSI GR RIS 005 V1.1.1 (2025-02) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS); Diversity and Multiplexing of RIS-aided Communications
ETSI GR RIS 002 V1.2.1 (2025-02) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS); Technological challenges, architecture and impact on standardization
ETSI GR RIS 001 V1.2.1 (2025-02) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS); Use Cases, Deployment Scenarios and Requirements
ETSI GR RIS 003 V1.2.1 (2025-02) Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS); Communication Models, Channel Models, Channel Estimation and Evaluation Methodology
I have reviewed the documents listed above and extracted numerous key forensic takeaways that will be outlined in Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4 related to:
✅ How RIS is standardized in ETSI specifications.
✅ Impact of RIS on radio propagation & forensic RF analysis.
✅ Potential forensic methodologies to address RIS challenges in 6G.
✅ Potential forensic impact FSR and UKAS Guidance.
These ETSI documents provide key insights into the standardization of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) and their impact on 6G forensic analysis, network behaviour, and RF propagation. Here are the most relevant forensic takeaways based on these reports:
1. Definition and Functionality of RIS
- RIS consists of programmable surfaces that can dynamically shape wireless signals through reflection, refraction, focusing, collimation, modulation, and absorption.
- Unlike traditional antennas, RIS enables real-time control of signal paths, meaning forensic CSA cannot rely on fixed propagation models anymore.
2. RIS Deployment & Forensic Implications
- RIS can be deployed in network-controlled, network-assisted, standalone, and hybrid configurations.
- This means that forensic RF propagation surveys (RFPS) will be unreliable unless they account for RIS placement and configuration at the time of an incident.
- RIS can redirect signals away from expected locations, meaning a device might appear closer or farther than it actually was, compromising forensic location estimates.
3. RIS and 6G Forensic CSA Challenges
- RIS dynamically alters radio propagation, making traditional cell site analysis methods unreliable.
- Key forensic problems: Historical RF surveys will not reflect real-time network conditions due to RIS reconfigurations. CDRs and RF fingerprints will no longer be static, as a device might have been served by dynamically adjusted RIS reflections. New forensic methodologies will need to extract RIS-specific network logs to determine signal pathways at a given time.
4. Solutions: How Forensic CSA Must Evolve
- Forensic analysts must request RIS configuration logs alongside 5G/6G network logs.
- AI-based modelling will be required to reconstruct how RIS altered radio propagation at the time of an incident.
- Timing Advance (TA) and Angle of Arrival (AoA) analysis must be used instead of outdated RFPS to account for signal redirection by RIS.
These ETSI standards confirm that RIS will fundamentally change forensic CSA, rendering traditional methods unreliable in 6G environments.
This article continues on the discussion "Forensic Challenges in 6G Cell Site Analysis (CSA) and Radio Frequency Propagation Surveys (RFPS)" published April 2, 2025.
Forensic Challenges in 6G Cell Site Analysis (CSA) and Radio Frequency Propagation Surveys (RFPS) - https://cellsiteanalysis.blogspot.com/2025/04/forensic-challenges-in-6g-cell-site.html
