Dr. Bryce Westlake

Associate Professor – Digital Forensics & Sexuality Subculture

As an internationally recognized authority and PhD-level researcher with with over 15 years of expertise, I synthesize complex digital forensic data and behavioral evidence into actionable, scientifically defensible insights for legal, corporate, and criminal justice stakeholders. My practice bridges the gap between advanced empirical methodology, statistical modeling, and the rigorous evidentiary demands of litigation and policy implementation. I provide attorneys and decision-makers with objective, peer-reviewed foundations needed to accurately contextualize evidence, navigate sensitive discovery materials, and deliver authoritative courtroom testimony.

In the domain of digital safety and platform governance, I specialize in the detection, distribution, and prevention of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Having delivered high-level briefings to the United Nations, global technology leaders, international financial coalitions, and law enforcement agencies, I advise organizations on developing robust social media standards, anti-grooming protocols, and automated detection systems. For legal teams, my work focuses on translating intricate technical forensic data, platform compliance metrics, and detection algorithms into clear, operationally viable analysis that withstands intense legal scrutiny and meets the highest standards of admissibility.

Complementing my forensic work, I am a leading scholar in the empirical study of BDSM and kink subcultures, focusing on participant motivations, psychological well-being, interpersonal negotiation, and community norms. I assist litigation teams in deciphering specialized digital communications, sub-cultural vernacular, and community structures and norms within evidence reviews. By applying rigorous, evidence-based consent frameworks and evaluating safety mechanisms unique to these communities, I help attorneys distinguish consensual, risk-mitigated practices from non-consensual behavior, enabling trial counsel to challenge prevailing misconceptions, clarify complex sub-cultural contexts, and effectively advocate for their clients before judges and juries.

Inquire about My Services

Services Available for Consultation, Reports, & Testimony:

Criminal Litigation & Discovery Analysis: Expert evaluation of prosecution and defense evidence in criminal matters, analyzing CSAM digital forensics, specialized sub-cultural (BDSM) communications, online community structures, and consent frameworks to deliver objective reports and testimony.
Civil Litigation & Liability Consulting: Expert witness services for civil disputes, including platform duty of care, tort claims, and privacy actions, assessing corporate risk mitigation, sub-cultural safety protocols, and the distinction between consensual kink dynamics and non-consensual harm.
Strategic Advisory & Policy Development: High-level strategic consulting for tech platforms, corporate entities, and global bodies on online safety policies, automated CSAM detection, anti-grooming standards, and evidence-based frameworks for navigating sensitive sub-cultural content.
Program Evaluation & Policy Assessment: Empirical auditing of institutional safety protocols, community standards, and risk-mitigation programs to measure operational efficacy, policy compliance, and alignment with peer-reviewed behavioral research in both digital safety and kink subcultures.