Uttar Pradesh
India's 1st Drone Forensic Lab
- 19 Aug 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, a drone forensic lab has been established at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS) in Lucknow.
Key Points
- About: The lab was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and is conceptualized and established by Milind Raj, an expert in robotics and drone technology, also known as the 'Drone Man of India.'
- Functions: The lab will enable police to track, decode, and investigate drones in real-time, helping forensic experts determine the drone's flight path, take-off location, payload capacity, and potential hazards like explosives.
- It will facilitate forensic postmortems of drones to assess their intent and threat potential, helping law enforcement understand drones used in unlawful activities.
- Training: The lab will serve as a training center for police personnel and forensic experts, offering hands-on experience with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
- It will help build a dedicated drone force within UP Police, enabling swift responses to incidents involving drones for security surveillance, crowd monitoring, and potential criminal activities.
- Technological Innovation and Future Impact: The lab is equipped with advanced data acquisition tools, reverse-engineering systems, customized kits, and hi-tech computing systems, making it possible to trace and analyze drones used in unlawful activities.
- Applications: The lab’s applications include safeguarding sensitive zones like borders, prisons, and airports, as well as aiding in disaster management and search-and-rescue operations.
