India’s pathbreaking digital technologies accelerate forensic sciences

India has created e-forensics platforms thereby connecting the various laboratories across distinct locations

India stands unique and tall in innovation, intellects, infrastructures, and most importantly the smart industrialisation. India has achieved the global leadership position by consciously, thoughtfully, and strongly adapting the best mantra — Viswa Guru, Viswa Sevak and Viswa Rakshak.

India’s major strength lies in innovations created by intellects who introduces differences in research and implementation through a creative mindset, problem-solving capabilities and most importantly, the right intention to serve for the society through community-based culture.

India is fully committed to protecting, preserving, and potentially using the data for the social cause. This has given special priority to protect users against cybercrime and preventing accidents, thereby ensuring the safety and security of citizens of our nation. The launch of digital India, especially the Digitisation and digitalisation have filled the gaps and opened several avenues in the field of digital forensic sciences. The market trends in India’s digital forensics see an enhanced trajectory, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 40 percent, which would reach Rs 11,829 crore ($1.39 billion) by FY 2029-30. This statistic is more than three times the global average of 11 per cent [References: Deloitte-DSCI report 2025]

India’s present era is an age of emerging science and technology that could be thoughtfully and smartly utilised for safety and security, especially in the field of forensic sciences. India has created a big breakthrough in groundbreaking technologies in the field of semiconductor technologies, quantum technologies and most importantly the blockchain and cybersecurity. India’s technological innovation is rewriting the emerging forensic sciences, especially exploring advanced quantum science integrated with artificial intelligence, 3D printing, SCADA and most importantly the advanced supercomputing algorithms.

The emerging technologies and infrastructures in our nation have bridged the gap between the crime scenes and court rooms in India. India is on the maintaining to build its Swadeshi data Centre resolute for forensic to meet the high demands of maintain and storing data in the safety mode. These Vocal for Local data centers could find potential applications in the field of crimes and accidents.

India’s infrastructure in forensic science and technologies.

India has established first Central Fingerprint Bureau in the 19th century (1897). Since then, India has strengthened its forensic sciences investigation through creating crime and toxicological laboratories at various locations. Presently, our nation has 07 in-house central forensic laboratories under Directorate of Forensic Science Services, thirty-two state forensic science laboratories and additionally has ninety-seven regional laboratories.

India has created e-Forensics platforms, thereby connecting the various laboratories across distinct locations. India thoughtfully taken an important initiative to preserve the wildlife through adapting the best practices of the DNA analysis program at the Wildlife Institute established in Dehra Dun.

Forensic science: Skilling avenues in India

India has established world’s first and only dedicated University called as National Forensic Sciences University, fully focused for Forensic sciences in the state of Gujarat.

The increasing crimes and accidents throughout the globe have created huge avenues for forensic investigators across worldwide. Sciences to meet the demands of skilled manpower in the field of forensic sciences, The school of open learning of National Forensic Sciences University, an institution of national importance and a pioneering institution, is creating big avenues for youth to reskill and upskill in the domain of forensic science and technology through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), certificate and short-term courses.

The courses have greater flexibility for the young talents through ease of learning via self-pace learning mode. The courses focus on creating awareness about cybersecurity, fundamentals of Windows malware, foundation on IoT security and forensics, and many more.

It also offers a variety of certificate courses on crime scene management, clinical and forensic toxicology. Additionally, it

offers several undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs for students. The School of Forensic Science & Risk Management at Raksha University at Lavad, Gandhinagar is conducting a variety of capacity building programs for students, Police and Paramilitary forces keeping in view of the purpose of security of our nation.

Way forward for forensic sciences in India

Viksit Bharat@2047 has creating huge opportunity for innovative intellects and emerging infrastructures in India. Ministry of Home Affairs and Cooperation has taken a huge initiative to create a dedicated National Forensic Data Centre in our nation to keep a focus on ‘Women Safety. In addition to this, a National Forensic University, which would function as Centre of excellence in forensic and allied sciences, has been planned to build in the state of Odisha. The institutions and innovative facilities to be established forensic sciences will further strengthen the investigative programs, especially cyber and forensic crime through qualitative and quantitative research initiatives. Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS), Lucknow, is aiming to strengthen the investigative infrastructure through establishing first of its kind Centre of Excellence in quantum computing in collaboration with QNu Labs under the National Quantum Mission, 3D additive manufacturing facilities, and SCADA.

Quantum machine learning algorithms can break the complex chain of cybercrime data. It has also been planned to establish 3D printing and additive rapid prototyping facilities for forensic facial reconstruction, ballistic reconstruction, and most importantly, creating and reconstructing a 3D simulating environment of crime and accident scenes. These technologies will function as a Kavach for national security and digital trust.

Author is a Head, Institute Industry Interface Program, Hindustan College of Science and Technology, Mathura; Views presented are personal.