Forensic Technology Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (PCR, Capillary Electrophoresis), By Services (DNA Profiling, Chemical Analysis) By Application, By Location, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Forensic Technology Market Size & Trends

The global forensic technology market size was valued at USD 4.88 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% from 2023 to 2030. The increase in the number of crimes globally is a major factor driving the industry’s growth. The rising number of cases of homicide, robbery, rape, and murder are the key reasons boosting the necessity for forensics. According to the last study conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2017, the mean of intentional homicide was recorded to be 6.1 per 100,000 people globally. In addition, among all regions, the U.S. ranked first for intentional homicide followed by Africa and Asia. Moreover, the increasing number of criminal cases has led to a rise in the number of unsolved cases aids in the urgency to adopt novel forensic technologies to solve pending cases.

The increasing number of pending cases is a result of the absence of accurate evidence, which implies the need for the adoption of DNA analysis and other advanced technologies. For instance, according to the Illinois state police, the FBI reported that approximately about 40% of the nation’s homicide cases go unsolved, awaiting conviction.

The market is driven by the growing investments and funding in forensic research by various private and public organizations. For instance, in January 2022, the National Institute of Justice announced USD 4.5 million in funding for the forensic technology center of excellence to provide evidence-based knowledge and technology tools for criminal justice agencies. In addition, the Forensic Capability Network reached a milestone of USD 1.15 million in funding for forensic research to support 9 research projects focused on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance evidence gathering from crime scenes.

Technological advancements such as magnetic fingerprinting, automated fingerprint identification, alternative light & ballistics photography, DNA sequencing, laser ablation coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and alternative light & ballistics are expected to boost the industry’s growth. For instance, India’s state forensic labs expanded their infrastructure owing to the increase in the demand for DNA testing. Such upgrades are likely to improve existing technologies and reduce the time and expenses involved in solving the cases. It is also predicted to increase the accuracy & efficiency of DNA analysis, thereby creating lucrative growth prospects.

Type Insights

The capillary electrophoresis segment accounted for the largest share of 32.6% in 2022 owing to the benefits offered by the technique. The benefits of the techniques include decreased risk of cross-contamination, higher speed, minimal sample consumption, online detection, increased resolution, and user-friendly techniques. This technique also aids to quantify and offer rapid profiling of anionic species identified in explosives and poisons. The capillary electrophoresis technique is broadly used owing to its micro sampling capabilities, ease of sample preparation, and simple detection methods.

The next-generation sequencing (NGS) segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 14.7% during 2023-2030. Owing to its enhanced paternity testing and improved ability of human identification in degraded biological samples. NGS also helps reduce bias & errors and the generation of total human genome data.

The development of advanced, affordable, and easy-to-use benchtop systems by various companies are expected to increase the penetration of NGS. For instance, in May 2021 Verogen launched an NGS workflow ForenSeq MainstAY Kit makes next-generation sequencing (NGS) cost-effective and practical for the forensic laboratory to support volume case work sexual assault cases.

Service Insights

The DNA profiling segment captured the highest market share of 44.23% in 2022. This large share is attributed to the wide range of applications of DNA profiling in the identification of disaster victims, paternity testing, the examination of drug abuse, and blood fluid identification. The increasing R&D and growing DNA databases are expected to further fuel the growth. For instance, in December 2020 NIJ announced $17 million in funding to support 36 forensic science R&D projects to advance the accuracy speed and reliability of the forensic analysis.

The chemical analysis segment captured the second highest share of the forensic technology market and is projected to expand at an 8.8% CAGR over the forecast period. Chemical analysis has a wide range of applications such as fingerprinting, bloodstain pattern analysis, alcohol testing, serology, fire debris analysis, analysis of trace evidence, and toxicology studies are expected to boost the growth of the segment.

Moreover, the increasing choice of chemical analysis in drug abuse cases by forensic experts is one of the key factors contributing to the segment’s growth. For instance, Alcohol intoxication is identified by using a breathalyzer kit in most state patrol vehicles and police squad cars. 

Location Insights

The location segment is bifurcated into laboratory forensics technology and portable forensics technology. Laboratory forensics technology accounted for the largest share of 70.3% in 2022, attributed to the presence of testing instruments, that are massive and designed for the analysis of a huge volume of samples. Different regulations have been endorsed to ensure a high quality of forensic laboratories for obtaining results with greater accuracy. Laboratory equipment is relatively cheaper and is widely adopted by forensic experts.

The portable technology segment is expected to witness the fastest growth of 10.8% CAGR over the forecast period. The handheld & portable devices aid in the on-site operation and are broadly used in road accident cases and detection of alcohol and drug intoxication. Moreover, such portable testing devices help in the reduction of unresolved criminal cases in laboratories.

Application Insights

The judicial/law enforcement segment held the largest share of 35.5% in 2022. This is due to the constant efforts by government authorities globally to generate DNA databases are the key growth contributing factors. In the United States, the DNA Identification Act of 1994 empowered the FBI to create a national DNA database to aid in the resolution of backlog criminal cases, resulting in a broad range of forensics used in the administration of justice.

Moreover, the adoption of a variety of other techniques that let lab technicians collect information from DNA samples at lower costs and in less time is driving the increase in judicial applications. For example, DNA profiles can be generated from swabs in 90 minutes by using technologically advanced techniques.

The pharmacogenetics segment is anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The rising demand for crime investigation and reduction of backlog cases is predicted to drive the growth. Most of the analysis is performed by using bones, teeth, skin and hair samples, tissues, blood samples, and fingerprints at the crime scene. Moreover, the advent of technologically advanced and innovative products coupled with various symposiums and conferences conducted to raise awareness of such technologies to be used in routine DNA analysis is predicted to provide a boost to the overall market growth.

Regional Insights

North America captured the highest market share of 35.21% in 2022, due to the growing incidence of criminal cases and results in the increase in forensic analyses in the region. Law enforcement agencies and private organizations are boosting the adoption of forensic services in various sectors, including healthcare. Similarly, the progress in sophisticated forensic techniques and advanced healthcare infrastructure has increased the effectiveness of forensic analysis performed in the region and is expected to boost regional market growth.

The Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region with 11.5% during the forecast period. This exponential growth is attributed to the growing level of awareness in the region about various forensic technologies and rising investments in the region for human identification. For instance, in August 2020 Berkeley Research Group (BRG) based in Singapore launched its services in the Asia-Pacific region to provide investigations-focused technology and analytics services to clients.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key companies are implementing numerous strategies such as collaborations, the launch of novel technologies & products, and collaborations to enhance their market presence. For instance, in January 2023, Promega Corporation launched Power Plex 35GY system, a DNA analysis kit that enable forensic labs to solve more challenging cases especially sexual assault cases. Back in June 2022, Thermo Fisher unveiled LC-MS system for forensic toxicology to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of emerging and illegal drugs. Also in July 2021, Thermo Fisher received FBI approval for Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID DNA solution that can aid in the generation of DNA profiles virtually in less than 90 minutes. Some prominent players in the global forensic technology market include:

• Agilent Technologies

• GE Healthcare

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

• NMS Labs

• Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH

• LGC Forensics

• Forensic Pathways

• SPEX Forensics

• Forensic Fluids Laboratories

• Pyramidal Technologies Ltd 

Forensic Technology Market Report Scope

Global Forensic Technology Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this report, Grand View Research has segmented the global forensic technology market based on type, services, application, location, and region.

• Type Scope Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

  • Capillary Electrophoresis

  • Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)

  • Rapid DNA Analysis

  • Automated Liquid Handling Technology

  • Microarrays

  • Others

• Service Scope Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • DNA Profiling

  • Chemical Analysis

  • Biometric Analysis

  • Firearms Identification

  • Others

• Application Scope Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Pharmacogenetics

  • Biodefense & Bio surveillance

  • Judicial/Law Enforcement

  • Others

• Location Scope Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Laboratory Forensics Technology

  • Portable Forensics Technology

• Regional Scope Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait