In this first of two conversations on Policing TV, Bernard Rix speaks with Samir Datt, Founder and CEO of Forensics Guru and a Fellow of the Indian Police Foundation. Samir shares the remarkable story of building India’s pioneering digital forensics company over the past 26 years.

From a time when most people hadn’t heard of digital forensics, to now working alongside law enforcement across India, Samir explains how his company has played a critical role in solving major crimes. He also reflects on how India’s scale and complexity — with over a billion mobile users — have shaped cutting-edge solutions in open-source intelligence, CDR/IPDR analysis, and mobile field forensics.

Part two will be published on 4th of November

Takeaways

• Founded in 1999, Forensics Guru was ahead of its time in digital forensics.
• Early days were tough — few understood what digital forensics meant.
• First breakthrough came from a domestic case involving deleted computer data.
• Partnered with police on major investigations across India.
• Built high-scale tools for analysing massive data volumes.
• Now exports ‘Made in India’ tech, driven by national policy shifts.
• Aiming to expand globally, especially in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Forensics Guru
02:48 The Evolution of Digital Forensics
05:44 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Early Days
08:48 Expanding Influence in Law Enforcement
11:42 International Aspirations and Future Goals

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