Don’t limit yourself to EXIF alone. Useful clues can also appear in IPTC and XMP metadata, and camera-specific MakerNotes often contain the most identifying details.

Fields worth checking include:

• author/creator fields
• camera make and model
• camera serial number, if present
• lens identification data, which some cameras record in detail
• other camera-specific MakerNote fields

For fraud detection, the strongest links are usually device-specific data such as a camera serial number. Matching lens metadata can also support the idea that images came from the same photographer or kit, though it’s less definitive than a serial number.

Comparing metadata across a batch can help spot outliers: for example, one image with different camera or lens data from the rest may deserve closer review.

Be aware that much of the richest identifying information may be stored in MakerNotes, so use a metadata tool/library that can extract more than standard EXIF. Also remember metadata can be edited or stripped, so it should be treated as supporting evidence rather than absolute proof.