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This year’s Forensics Europe Expo 2025 brought together digital forensics professionals, investigators, researchers, and vendors for two days of in-depth talks, live demonstrations, and networking. Held on June 18–19 at London’s Olympia, the event maintained its reputation as one of the key gatherings in the forensic calendar—this time with a sharp focus on cross-discipline collaboration and forward-looking tools.

FEE 2025 opened on a thoughtful note. Professor Sarah Morris welcomed attendees with a reminder of the need to support mental health in the forensic community, acknowledging Forensic Focus’s ongoing work in this area, and encouraged investigators to continue checking in on one another.

Notable Talks

MSAB: Unlocking Voice Data: Speech-to-Text in Digital Investigations

Voice notes are no longer a fringe data type—they’re central to mobile investigations. MSAB’s Alex Coley and Bethany Morgan demonstrated how their tools transform voicenote audio into searchable text using speech-to-text processing within XRY.

Given that around two-thirds of Americans now use voice messages regularly, and many use them in place of traditional conversations, this content often contains key non-verbal context—tone, hesitations, background sounds—that adds investigative value. MSAB’s technology automates transcription at scale, helping investigators surface relevant content quickly while reducing manual listening time.

The system also flags language shifts and supports multi-source ingestion, reinforcing its role as an efficiency tool rather than a replacement for expert judgment. As voice-based communication continues to rise, this kind of capability is becoming increasingly important in digital investigations.

Amped Software: Image and Video Evidence You Can Trust: The Importance of Integrity, Authenticity and Accuracy

In a digital landscape full of edited footage and AI-generated imagery, Amped Software’s Alexander Fehrmann delivered a clear message: visual evidence must be treated as forensic data, not just pictures. Whether intentional or accidental, manipulation of visual media can undermine the integrity of an investigation.

Using Amped’s suite of tools—including FIVE, AUTHENTICATE, and REPLAY—Fehrmann walked attendees through techniques to validate authenticity, detect tampering, and maintain evidentiary integrity. These included pixel-clone detection, metadata analysis, and even shadow geometry verification, which can highlight inconsistencies invisible to the human eye.

He also demonstrated how Amped Authenticate can identify deepfakes and profile pictures generated by tools like DALL·E or Midjourney—an increasingly relevant skillset as generative AI becomes widespread. The emphasis was on treating video evidence with the same scrutiny as any other data source.

Portsmouth and Winchester Universities: SpiderNet – Investigations of Smart Machines

Smart devices are increasingly involved in criminal activity—not just as sources of evidence, but as tools used to obscure or erase it. Dr. Mo Isaac Adda and Dr. Nancy Scheidt introduced SpiderNet, a decentralised forensic framework designed to support real-time investigation of connected devices. Both speakers delivered the session with enthusiasm and deep subject knowledge, clearly committed to addressing the growing challenges smart technology poses to digital forensics.

At the centre of SpiderNet is the concept of digital DNA—a unique set of identifiers for each device, including model details, serial numbers, SIM data, and more. These profiles are monitored across a network of servers, with alert flags indicating a device’s status: whether it’s been cloned, requires legal review, or contains prohibited content. The system supports secure evidence preservation, live acquisition, and automated reporting, reducing reliance on traditional post-incident collection and analysis.

Rather than replacing existing tools, SpiderNet is designed to complement them—particularly in cases involving smart environments or autonomous systems. The talk also introduced the idea of preventative forensics, where devices can be flagged and monitored before data is lost. It’s a proactive, infrastructure-level approach that reflects how digital forensic practice must evolve alongside the technology it investigates.

Leica Geosystems: Evidential Storytelling: Enhancing Investigations with Laser Scanning

Daniel Prewitt from Leica Geosystems delivered a session on how 3D laser scanning is revolutionising scene documentation. With scanners capturing millions of data points per second, investigators can now reconstruct entire environments digitally—and interactively. These reconstructions can offer not only greater accuracy but also a more intuitive way for stakeholders to understand complex scenes.

Prewitt drew parallels between books and films: traditional documentation requires interpretation, but laser scanning creates a consistent visual experience for everyone. The technology allows users to explore scenes virtually, change camera perspectives, overlay CCTV, and even highlight evidence with on-screen colour adjustments. As more investigations depend on the ability to communicate technical evidence clearly, tools like this are becoming increasingly vital.

Beyond Digital: A Broader Forensic Landscape

While digital forensics took centre stage for many attendees, FEE remains a multidisciplinary event. The talk programme also included topics from broader forensic science—for example, a session examining how sharp force trauma presents differently after fire exposure, which underscored the challenges of interpreting altered evidence in burned remains.

The presence of traditional forensic vendors—covering everything from fingerprint kits to body recovery systems—was a reminder that digital forensics is just one part of the wider investigative toolkit. This broader context is valuable, particularly for practitioners who regularly work alongside other forensic specialists.

Final Thoughts

FEE 2025 may have been smaller in scale this year, but the quality of content—particularly in the digital forensics space—remained high. From managing voice data at scale, to authenticating video in an AI-saturated world, to preparing for smart machine investigations, the event offered a clear glimpse into the future of the field. If you’re planning to attend next year, we’ll be there—come and say hello!

As the pace of technological change accelerates and threats evolve, the world of forensic science is undergoing a seismic transformation. 

From AI-driven investigations to real-time data recovery and smarter emergency response coordination, Forensics Europe Expo (FEE) 2025 is set to bring the global forensics community together at Olympia London on 18-19 June.

Now in its 12th year, FEE 2025 promises to be a landmark event, co-located for the first time with The Blue Light Show, the UK’s only exhibition dedicated to emergency services interoperability. 

This co-location creates a powerful platform for law enforcement, government agencies, academia and the private sector to collaborate, innovate, and shape the future of public safety and forensic investigation.

Thousands of delegates are preparing to attend this unmissable event, free to attend for those who register in advance.

A Digital Forensics Focus 

Cybercrime, digital evidence and emerging technologies are now central to forensic investigation. Reflecting this shift, FEE 2025 will feature a strong emphasis on digital forensics, with a series of sessions designed to help professionals stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats.

Attendees can expect deep dives into topics such as:

• “Cyber Agent Technology (CAT) platform introduction” – Rens de Wolf, CEO of Volto Labs, unveils breakthrough tech in autonomous digital investigation.

• “Evidential Storytelling: Enhancing Investigations with Laser Scanning” – Daniel Prewitt of Leica Geosystems showcases how 3D reality capture transforms crime scene reconstructions.

• “Unlocking Voice Data: Speech-to-Text in Digital Investigations” – A dynamic session by Alex Coley and Bethany Morgan from MSAB explores the power of voice data in mobile device forensics.

• “Image and Video Evidence You Can Trust” – David Spreadborough, Forensic Analyst at AMPed Software, covers the vital topic of integrity and authenticity in multimedia evidence.

• “Investigations of Smart Machines” – Dr. Mo Isaac Adda and Dr. Nancy Scheidt present insights into the forensic implications of AI, autonomous systems, and smart tech.

• “The Use and Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Teaching and Learning Forensic Science” – Josephine Grech shares findings from cutting-edge research into immersive training environments.

These sessions provide real-world insight into the tools, techniques and technologies that will define the next generation of forensic investigation.

World-Class Speakers 

The FEE 2025 conference programme brings together a line-up of experts across academia, law enforcement and industry. Among this year’s high-profile speakers:

• Prof. Sarah M., Professor of Digital Forensics and Deputy Head of School – Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise at University of Southampton, returns as the conference host, guiding attendees through two days of groundbreaking content.

• Samantha O., CEO at Precision Plus Consulting, will deliver a session on the deployment of the TRACER 1000 Mass Spectrometer for intercepting fentanyl analogues and other synthetic opioids—an urgent topic in forensic toxicology and law enforcement.

• Caighley Logan, PhD Researcher at Liverpool John Moores University, will present research on sharp force trauma analysis, adding to the growing body of knowledge around forensic pathology and weapon identification.

• Kyle Schroeder, Regional Director for Europe/CIS and Central America at GTH DNA, will explore “DNA at Borders”, offering powerful insights into how forensic genetics is being used to identify criminals, traffickers, and verify familial relationships in cross-border contexts.

From traditional techniques to emerging science, these sessions offer a vital opportunity to learn, question and connect with the field’s most respected thinkers.

New Era of Collaboration

For the first time, Forensics Europe Expo will be co-located with The Blue Light Show, creating an expanded ecosystem of knowledge sharing and collaboration across emergency services.

This co-location reflects the growing emphasis on interoperability between frontline responders and forensic teams. FEE 2025 attendees will have full access to six theatres and five content streams at The Blue Light Show, including:

• Resilience and Emergency Planning
• Procurement Excellence
• Staffing & Culture
• Current & Future Challenges
• Health and Wellbeing

From police to fire, ambulance to rescue services, the show brings together the entire emergency response chain. It’s a chance to better understand how evidence and insights from forensics are being used in live, high-pressure scenarios and how closer collaboration can lead to faster decisions, smarter strategies and ultimately – saved lives.

A Show Floor Packed With Innovation

Beyond the conference sessions, FEE and The Blue Light Show will feature over 100 exhibiting companies showcasing the latest innovations in:

• Scene of crime technologies
• Laboratory analysis equipment
• Mobile forensics tools
• AI and machine learning applications
• Biometric and DNA solutions
• Digital forensics software
• Chain of custody and evidence tracking systems

Attendees will have the chance to evaluate new products, meet directly with suppliers and discover tools that can improve accuracy, efficiency and courtroom outcomes.

Join us 18-19 June 2025 at Olympia London for Forensics Europe Expo 2025.