Smytec Ltd
Smytec Ltd develops BlindSite, a handheld hyperspectral forensic imaging camera used by law enforcement, government, and defence agencies for non-contact, non-destructive detection of fingerprints, body fluids, trace DNA, and post-blast evidence.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersLubenham, Market Harborough, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Smytec Ltd does
Smytec Ltd is a UK-based forensic imaging technology company founded in 2019 by Dr. Alexander Smyth, following PhD research at the University of Leicester into post-blast evidence recovery. The company develops and commercialises BlindSite, a handheld camera that combines hyperspectral (1–10nm bands) and multispectral imaging to detect, capture, and visualise forensic evidence — including latent fingerprints, body fluids, trace DNA, hidden tattoos, and post-blast fingermarks — without chemical treatment, physical contact, or scene darkening. The product line comprises BlindSite Scene Multi-Evidence (for crime scenes, cold cases, covert operations, and lab environments) and BlindSite Scene Fingermark Pro (for counter-terrorism, bombings, and EOD applications). BlindSite integrates an on-device Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) supplied by ROC AI, enabling fingerprint matching in approximately 15 seconds without WiFi, cellular, or Bluetooth connectivity, against a database stored locally on a 2TB micro-SD card. The system is FCC- and CE-certified and is the only known technology to bring hyperspectral imaging to the crime scene.
Smytec generates revenue primarily through hardware capital sales of BlindSite units to law enforcement, government, and defence customers, with each sale bundled with a minimum two-day training programme and a one-year warranty (extendable to three years via an optional service contract that includes functional updates and annual calibration). Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and there are no consumables, chemicals, or accessories required. Distribution is dual-track: direct enterprise sales via the UK headquarters and Smytec Inc. (Wesley Chapel, Florida, established 2025) in priority markets, combined with an authorised international distributor network covering Singapore and neighbouring countries (Kaiser-SGI Asia), Australia and New Zealand (EPE), and Vietnam (BK Sci Tech). Demand generation is event-driven, anchored by appearances at Security & Policing, IACP, LAAD, SOF Week, INTERSEC, ENFSI, and similar procurement-focused trade shows.
The customer base is concentrated in public-sector agencies (police forces, defence organisations, and forensic laboratories) across the UK, US, Southeast Asia, Australia/New Zealand, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Smytec has secured multimillion-dollar contracts in North America and Southeast Asia and, as of 2026, reports global deliveries across six continents. The company has received Innovate UK grants (ICURe and Smart programmes) at founding, closed an angel investment round in March 2024, and was awarded the UK Home Office/ADS Group Security Innovation Award in 2024. Leadership comprises five senior executives supported by a small wider team (total headcount under 20).
Smytec Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smytec Ltd
- Legal name
- Smytec Ltd
- Website
- https://smytec-ltd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Smytec Ltd develops BlindSite, a handheld hyperspectral forensic imaging camera used by law enforcement, government, and defence agencies for non-contact, non-destructive detection of fingerprints, body fluids, trace DNA, and post-blast evidence.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Smytec Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lubenham, Market Harborough
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Smytec Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: BlindSite is sold as a complete handheld forensic imaging device. The primary revenue stream comes from direct sales of the BlindSite Scene Multi-Evidence and BlindSite Scene Fingermark Pro products to law enforcement agencies, government organisations, and defence customers. Sales include a minimum two-day training program with each sale. The product is priced as a capital equipment purchase.
- Service & Maintenance Contracts: Optional 3-year service contract extending warranty from 1 year to 3 years, including functional updates (new features), training, and annual calibration of specialist optics and sensors. Operational software updates are provided for 3 years as standard.
- Training Services: Minimum two-day training program delivered in-person with each sale, either as an additional service or as part of the Service & Maintenance contract. Training includes supporting materials such as workbooks and videos, enabling train-the-trainer approaches.
- Expert Witness Support: Expert witness support services are available where required for court proceedings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Hardware capital purchase with bundled training and software updates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Smytec Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smytec Ltd designs, develops, and sells BlindSite, a handheld hyperspectral forensic imaging camera used by law enforcement, forensic laboratories, and defence agencies. The device enables crime scene investigators and forensic examiners to detect, visualise, and capture latent fingerprints, body fluids, trace evidence, gun shot residue, and drug substances without the need for multiple traditional light sources or chemical treatments. Smytec also provides training, software updates, and expert witness support services to its forensic customers.
Product overview
Smytec Ltd offers a unified product line centred on the BlindSite family of handheld hyperspectral forensic imaging cameras. The core product line consists of two variants: BlindSite Scene Multi-Evidence, designed for traditional crime scenes, cold cases, covert operations, ISR, and lab environments; and BlindSite Scene Fingermark Pro, tailored for counter-terrorism, bombings, and EOD applications with the highest post-blast fingerprint recovery rates in the industry. Both products are built on the same handheld hardware platform incorporating multi- and hyperspectral imaging technology, non-contact non-destructive evidence capture, integrated ROC AFIS for on-device fingerprint matching, a secondary 4K scene camera, and automated digital scale bar and scene overlay features. The portfolio is supported by an optional 3-year Service & Maintenance Contract, a two-day training programme, and a protective Peli Storm Case transport solution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BlindSite Scene Multi-Evidence: Handheld hyperspectral imaging camera for forensic evidence recovery suitable for traditional crime scenes, cold cases, covert operations, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), or lab environments. Supports detection of body fluids, latent fingermarks, trace DNA, and hidden tattoos.
- BlindSite Scene Fingermark Pro
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 10x faster evidence search and capture vs traditional methods
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Smytec Ltd
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Smytec Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability1 record
Feature8 records
Smytec Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Vigilate / ROC AIcoreSmytec integrated Vigilate's AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) powered by ROC algorithms into the BlindSite product. ROC AFIS is ranked #1 globally for fingerprint recognition speed and accuracy by NIST. The integration enables on-device fingerprint matching in under 15 seconds (vs 1+ hour for alternatives) with no connectivity requirement, transforming crime scene investigation from hours to seconds. The partnership was announced in December 2024, with integration included in BlindSite deliveries from late 2024 onward.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Smytec Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Projectina: Switzerland-based manufacturer of forensic document examination and imaging equipment, including video spectral comparators. Direct competitor in the forensic imaging equipment market serving law enforcement and security agencies.
- Foster + Freeman: UK-based forensic imaging equipment manufacturer with comparable product line (Crime-lite, RUVIS, video spectral comparators) used by law enforcement globally. The most direct competitor in handheld forensic imaging for crime scene investigation.
- Arrowhead Forensics: US-based forensic equipment supplier offering imaging tools, evidence collection supplies, and crime scene equipment to law enforcement agencies. Comparable in serving the same public safety customer base with field-deployable forensic tools.
- Tritech Forensics: US-based supplier of forensic investigation equipment to law enforcement, including imaging tools, evidence collection kits, and alternate light sources. Comparable in serving similar public safety customers with crime scene and lab technologies.
Emerging players
- Resonon: US-based manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging systems for research, industrial, and remote sensing applications. Comparable in hyperspectral imaging technology with focus on push-broom and snapshot cameras.
- Cubert: Germany-based manufacturer of snapshot hyperspectral imaging cameras. Comparable in hyperspectral imaging technology with focus on video-rate and real-time hyperspectral imaging for various applications.
Broad incumbents
- Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO): Norway-based manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging instruments for research, environmental monitoring, and industrial inspection. Comparable in hyperspectral imaging technology with broader applications across scientific and industrial use cases.
- Headwall Photonics: US-based manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging systems for industrial, scientific, and remote sensing applications. Comparable in the core hyperspectral imaging technology but focused on lab/industrial/aerial use rather than handheld forensic applications.
- SPECIM (Spectral Imaging): Finland-based manufacturer of hyperspectral imaging cameras and systems for industrial, environmental, and security applications. Comparable in hyperspectral imaging technology with a broader product portfolio across multiple end markets.
Others
- IDEMIA: France-based global leader in biometric identification and AFIS systems serving law enforcement and government. Comparable as the broader fingerprint identification systems provider against which ROC AFIS (Smytec's integrated partner) competes, defining the standards BlindSite is benchmarked against.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smytec Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceSmytec Ltd compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Smytec Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smytec Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Smytec Ltd subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Smytec Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smytec Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smytec Ltd
What does Smytec Ltd do?
Smytec Ltd designs, develops, and sells BlindSite, a handheld hyperspectral forensic imaging camera used by law enforcement, forensic laboratories, and defence agencies. The device enables crime scene investigators and forensic examiners to detect, visualise, and capture latent fingerprints, body fluids, trace evidence, gun shot residue, and drug substances without the need for multiple traditional light sources or chemical treatments. Smytec also provides training, software updates, and expert witness support services to its forensic customers.
Is Smytec Ltd a public or private company?
Smytec Ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Smytec Ltd founded?
Smytec Ltd was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Smytec Ltd based?
Smytec Ltd is headquartered in Lubenham, Market Harborough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Smytec Ltd make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are service & Maintenance Contracts, training Services and expert Witness Support.
Who are Smytec Ltd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Projectina, Foster + Freeman, Arrowhead Forensics and Tritech Forensics. Emerging players are Resonon and Cubert. Broad incumbents are Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO), Headwall Photonics and SPECIM (Spectral Imaging). IDEMIA is listed as an others.
Does Smytec Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smytec Ltd.