CDAC plans to develop mobile forensic tools

Arjun RaghunathFirst Published : 28 Oct 2009 10:11:01 AM ISTLast Updated :

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the rampant use of mobile phones in criminal activities, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) is developing a set of mobile forensic tools for the law enforcement agencies.


Highly-placed sources in CDAC told ‘Express’ that the plan is to develop a software-based tool as well as an equipment for mobile forensics. The tools would be comprehensive which could even deal with advanced technologies like 3G and Blackberry.

“The project is only in the beginning stage and it would take some time to bring out a full-fledged version tool which could be used by investigation agencies. In the initial phase, we would be developing cyber forensic software and cyber forensic equipment would be developed in the next stage, ” said sources.

Already, a series of forensic tools are available in the market, most of which are developed by foreign companies. The Hi-Tech Crime Inquiry Cell of the state police which deals with mobile-related investigations, is mainly using the EnCase software developed by international firm, Guidance Software. Several leading agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also using EnCase forensic tools.

However, an effective tool to track crimes committed using Blackberry and other new technologies like 3G is not yet available in the Indian market, especially Kerala. The main issue with Blackberry service is that it is being routed through a server outside the country and hence the law-enforcement agencies have limitations in tracking crimes committed using Blackberry, said sources.

“Since there are already an array of mobile forensic tools with proven track records, C-DAC should better bring out tools that could deal with crimes committed using 3G and Blackberry services, ‘’ sources said.

The mobile phone population in the state have reached about 2 crore, ie. nearly one-third of the state’s population. In such a scenario, mobile phones have become an integral part in most of the crimes, ranging from sending of malicious SMS messages to communication between criminals, said IG Tomin J. Thachankary who is in charge of the Hi-Tech Crime Inquiry Cell.

CDAC, which is an agency under the Central Government, had played a key role in equipping the state police with cyber forensic skills. It had also developed an array of cyber forensic tools and had also assisted the law enforcement agencies in several sensational cases including the examination of the hard disc of Kafeel Ahammed who was involved in a failed terror plot in UK.