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A case study in PDF forensics: The Epstein PDFs

This article details a PDF forensics case study on a small, random selection of the Epstein PDF files released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). The tranche contains 4,085 PDF files, with an estimated 5,879 remaining unreleased. Key findings include:

  • A difference in PDF version reporting between forensic tools.
  • The presence of two incremental updates.
  • The discovery of a hidden (orphaned) document information dictionary revealing the software used in processing.
  • The DoJ avoided JPEG images to prevent metadata leakage.
  • Overall, the DoJ’s sanitization workflow could be improved to reduce file size and information leakage.
Peter Wyatt

By Peter Wyatt
December 2025

A case study in PDF forensics: The Epstein PDFs

This article details a PDF forensics case study on a small, random selection of the Epstein PDF files released by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). The tranche contains 4,085 PDF files, with an estimated 5,879 remaining unreleased. Key findings include:

  • A difference in PDF version reporting between forensic tools.
  • The presence of two incremental updates.
  • The discovery of a hidden (orphaned) document information dictionary revealing the software used in processing.
  • The DoJ avoided JPEG images to prevent metadata leakage.
  • Overall, the DoJ’s sanitization workflow could be improved to reduce file size and information leakage.
Peter Wyatt

By Peter Wyatt
December 2025

FAQ on HDR in PDF

July 2025 by PDF Association staff
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This initial FAQ focuses on HDR in the PDF/A and PDF/X contexts, to help stakeholders understand how high dynamic range content works with current-generation PDF specifications and technologies.

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July 2025 by PDF Association staff
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The poster sessions are a great way to interact with each other at PDF Days Europe 2025!

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July 2025 by Duff Johnson
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Here’s what previous PDF Days attendees have told me about this event, and why attending is a good investment.

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July 2025 by Paul Rayius (Allyant)
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Experience since PDF/UA-1 was published has revealed that some rules were too prescriptive. In some situations the semantic significance of … Read more

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June 2025 by Patrick Gallot (Datalogics)
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PDF has long relied on Flate for general-purpose data compression. Today, Brotli has emerged as a promising new approach that … Read more

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June 2025 by PDF Association staff
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If you use a word processor creating Tagged PDF is your default. | FOGRA’s summary of developments in print | … Read more

PDF in the Wild

June 2025 by PDF Association staff
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Berlin ist calling! Are you ready for the big city?

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June 2025 by Patrick Gallot (Datalogics)
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This article explains the options in allowing, limiting, and/or preventing data scraping from occurring when AI and text data mining … Read more

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June 2025 by PDF Association staff
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This document provides essential guidance and recommendations for those aiming to create PDF files that adhere to multiple ISO-standardized subsets … Read more

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June 2025 by PDF Association staff
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In support of the International Archives Week theme and its four subthemes, the PDF Association is announcing its forthcoming Best … Read more

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June 2025 by PDF Association staff
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Tickets for PDF Days Europe 2025 and the PDF Workshop are now available! Space is limited and demand is high, … Read more

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