As technology is transforming every aspect of our lives, solving crimes has become hi-tech in its advances. From crime scene to courtroom, modern forensic technology is playing a pivotal role in the criminal justice system. As the criminals are becoming smarter, they are deploying significant resources to evade detection, thus forensic professionals must respond to these actions smartly by leveraging forensic technology. Besides law enforcement, forensic technology is being employed in different sectors including biodefense, healthcare, and personal security. Presently, the global market for forensic technology is thriving, owing to the increasing crime rate, growing acts of terrorism, cyber threats, and demand for forensic services.

Forensic sciences or criminalistics refer to the collection, preservation, and analysis of the evidence, collected from the crime scene to reach a certain conclusion. On the other hand, forensic intelligence involves gathering and utilizing data to help detect, prevent, investigate, and prosecute crime, especially for violent and serial crimes. Leveraging forensic data into crime analysis help to identify links, patterns, trends, and other information pertinent to criminal activities.

According to TechSci Research report, “Global Forensic Technology Market By Product (DNA Testing, Biometric Devices, Digital Forensics, and Ballistic Forensics), By Technology (DNA Profiling, Fingerprinting Analysis, Drug Analysis, and Firearm Analysis), By Application (Law Enforcements, Enterprise, Healthcare, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025”, the global forensic technology market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13% during 2020 - 2025 on account of the increasing investments by various public and private organizations towards forensic research. The rapid increase in the incidences of crime rate across the globe is creating a high demand for forensic technology. An escalation in violent crimes involving murder, rape, robbery, and intentional homicide cases is the primary reason propelling demand for forensic technology across the globe. 

History of forensic Science and Technology 

The history of forensic sciences spans many centuries, with the recorded practice dating back to 1248, but the scientists made few advancements in the field for several centuries until the beginning of the 1600s. Many significant technological advancements in forensic science took place at this time, including the development of photography, which aided in the identification and documentation of criminals and crime scene evidence. But forensic sciences experienced immense growth in the 20th century when scientists increased their understanding of DNA and human life, blood type identification, and precise blood tests.

Advances in Forensic Technology Tools

·         Rapid DNA Testing

Rapid DNA testing is an automated process of creating a DNA profile from a cheek swab quickly without any human intervention. The DNA technology in forensic science accelerates the process of solving crimes as the advanced technology can help to catch suspects within as little as two hours. Earlier, results from labs could take up to eight months and required extensive instruments and trained technicians for DNA profiling but rapid testing makes the process faster and cheaper. Some of the practical application of forensic DNA fingerprinting include:

§  Use of forensic genetic evidence to support successful prosecution pertaining to theft of wildlife

§  Use biological evidentiary cluse for dealing the cases of sexual offences

§  Identify victims with mutilated or fragmented body parts

§  Differentiate monozygotic twins

§  Resolving uncertainty about child’s paternity prenatally

§  Determine the sex of an individual

§  Identification of missing persons

§  Analysis of human microbiome

• Cloud Forensics

Cloud computing opens a whole world of opportunities for investigators. In cloud forensics, investigators conduct digital investigations to identify and collect the right data. A skilled perpetrator might not leave any evidence of a crime on their actual computer, but specialists in cloud forensics can trace information through the cloud where data is less likely to be deleted. Cloud computing is similar to the boots-on-the-ground investigation, but with a virtual twist, where investigators must follow one piece leading to the next.

• Automated Fingerprint and Identity Detection

A fingerprint is unique among each person and remains the same throughout his/her life, making it an infallible method of human identification. The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a quick and automatic biometric identification methodology to obtain, store, and analyze fingerprint data. AFIS revolutionized state identification bureaus as it brought down legislature costs and clerical personnel. Different sensors can be used to obtain digital images of fingerprints, which are then further processed to acquire minute details. The fingerprint digital image is compared with the existing details in the databases for matching identification.

• Facial Reconstruction

Forensic facial reconstruction is an advanced forensic technology to identify unknown human remains when other techniques fail. The advancement in 3D technology has resulted in reducing the degree of error that was previously encountered. The Facial reconstruction allows the involved government agencies to make a list of suspected victims’ and enables identification by the individual’s family and associates to become easy and more definite. The depiction of the resultant face might include details such as hairstyle, skin texture, unique characteristics, etc., which have a significant impact on the level of recognition.

• Digital Surveillance XFT Devices

One of the most notable advancements in forensics is digital surveillance in gaming systems. Cybercriminals have started using XBOX hard drives to hide files so the forensic investigators are using XFT devices to track down these files and give law enforcement specialists visual access to hidden data. Since the XFT system can record real-time investigations, it can provide evidence for prosecutors in court and successfully help in the conviction of criminals. 

Rapid Developments in the Global Forensic Technology market 

·     Police investigators are increasingly taking advantage of digital vehicle forensics to solve cases. Investigators can access an inordinate amount of information from your automobile’s onboard computers when provided access. Just like the smartphone’s location data can be used to infer certain things about the phone holder, investigators can gather similar information with your car. 

·    Forensic Analytics Ltd., a UK-based market leader in communications and digital forensic data analytics have formed a commercial & technology alliance with Nuix, which creates innovative software that empowers organizations to find the truth from any data in a digital world, and their customers include law enforcement agencies, governments, and global corporations. The two companies have partnered to gain a genuine advantage in the fight against crime by enabling agencies to attain clarity from data and find seemingly hidden connections within it.

·     Dr. Matteo Gallidabino, an expert in forensic sciences at Northumbria University in collaboration with Professor Francesco Saverio Romolo, a world-leading forensic scientist from the University of Bergamo, developed a new forensic technology that tests illegal pharmaceutical products by assessing their risk to human health. Their method is based on nuclear analysis techniques to analyze substandard and fake medicines. The new method is invaluable for intelligence, investigation, and criminal prosecution as it can be utilized to counterfeit drugs of abuse cannabis, cocaine, and heroin as well.

·       Forensic science experts at Flinders University have developed an innovative counter-terrorism system that can trace the source of dust present on the belongings to check environmental DNA signatures. Based on soil geochemical, bacterial, and fungal analysis, the microscopic trace evidence would complement forensic intelligence tools. 

·      Envista Forensics, a global provider of forensic consulting services to legal, insurance, and risk management industries, and leader in forensic engineering and recovery solutions, acquired Stephenson   Consulting Group to complement and expand its well-regarded global building consulting division. 

Forensic Technology and AI

The information age has led to unbounded criminal ingenuity thus, data needs to be fiercely protected alongside intellectual property. Using the latest Artificial Intelligence technology, investigators can enhance the ability to identify and reduce cyberattacks and other sophisticated sets of corporate criminal activities. Moreover, leveraging AI can also help to improve detection and prevent re-occurrence. Combining AI with the forensic investigation can have several benefits such as:

·         AI saves a significant amount of time and expense by introducing automation thus investigators can focus moreover where fraud might occur. 

·         AI helps corporate organizations detect any suspicious or criminal activity utilizing the vast amounts of unstructured data collected from videos, images, emails, and text files.

·         AI provides a more dynamic approach to the investigation rather than rule-based testing, that is restricted to monitoring fraud risks across a single dataset. 

·         AI gets rid of the information silos that can build up and further impede an analytics-aided investigation.

According to TechSci Research report, “Global Artificial Intelligence as a Service Market By Technology (Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing & Others), By Organization Size (Large Enterprise & SME), By Service Type (Services & Software Tools), By Type of Cloud (Public Cloud, Private Cloud & Hybrid Cloud), By Vertical (BFSI, Healthcare, Retail, IT & Telecom, Government & Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2024”, global artificial intelligence as a service market is expected to grow at an impressive CAGR of 34% during 2019-2024 on account of growing number of artificial intelligence powered services in the form of software development kit  (SDK) and application program interface (API). AlaaS or artificial intelligence as a service is third party provision of AI allowing enterprises to work with low risk and reduced investment for installations. Moreover, increasing trend of workflow optimization along with growing demand for AI and cognitive computing is further anticipated to bolster the growth of the market during forecast period.

Conclusion