HORUS – Operational Interfaces and Equipment and Systems for Field Data Collection and Processing

The HORUS project proposes the implementation of an integrated, validated system for Forensic Police units that unifies operational interfaces, equipment, and data systems into a single workflow. Its goal is to make operations across different crime scenes more efficient, traceable, and secure—from evidence capture to processing and synchronization with corporate systems.

Digitalization and globalization have multiplied the volume and heterogeneity of evidence, while the emergence of AI and cyber threats adds new layers of complexity. In a context where non-interoperable tools and fragmented processes persist, HORUS offers a cohesive response aligned with the legal and operational requirements of law enforcement agencies. The system incorporates digital chain-of-custody procedures, granular access control, encryption of sensitive data, and comprehensive auditing, facilitating institutional acceptance and regulatory compliance.

HORUS’s differential value rests on three pillars. First, a user-centred design for forensic operators: operational interfaces conceived for field work, with ergonomics, glove use, outdoor visibility, and hands-busy operation. Second, edge processing that enables rapid initial analysis and reduces dependence on connectivity by prioritizing evidence and accelerating decision-making. Third, true interoperability with third-party solutions and with national and international forensic databases, simplifying integration with existing infrastructures and avoiding bottlenecks.

HORUS spans the entire operational journey. On-scene capture is performed with integrated devices and sensors; operational flows are guided through clear, consistent interfaces; the edge module preprocesses, classifies, and prioritizes; orchestration ensures secure synchronization of information, permission management, and traceability; and connectors enable reliable exchange with existing police repositories and systems. This approach cuts idle time, reduces operators’ cognitive load, and minimizes errors and information loss.

The HORUS project, funded by CDTI and developed by the FORENSIA HORUS joint venture (UTE), is building a solution that will evolve, adapt, and unify multiple technologies into a cohesive system that meets the strict operational and security standards required by police forces (including digital chain-of-custody procedures, access control, and encryption of sensitive data, among others). Currently, none of the available alternatives achieves such a high degree of integration, ease of use, and reliability in real forensic contexts; by contrast, the status quo is characterized by the fragmented use of disparate tools that, on their own, fall short of full functional efficiency, technical adequacy, and institutional acceptance.

Funded by CDTI under the Pre-Commercial Public Procurement framework, the project has a budget of €4.38M and a duration of 36 months, organized into three competitive phases with validation milestones. The FORENSIA HORUS UTE comprises four Spanish companies coordinated by ETRA R&D. As consortium leader, ETRA directs the system architecture, the design of interfaces and equipment, the data system, and the edge processing module, as well as technical and project management, ensuring interoperability with market solutions and with Forensic Police databases.

Within this integration framework, HORUS articulates bidirectionally with the central platform THOT, designed to centralize data, interfaces, and analytical services into a single workflow. While HORUS executes on-site collection and digital twin generation, THOT assumes Central Forensic Intelligence through its data space and a multi-agent AI core. This architecture enables the ingestion, enrichment, and correlation of field evidence, automating hypothesis generation and case orchestration via BPM. The entire process features end-to-end encryption and granular access control, securing the digital chain of custody from initial collection through to its dissemination to corporate systems.

HORUS is being designed and validated in real operational scenarios, with the aim of delivering a level of integration, usability, and reliability not currently matched by any available alternative in demanding forensic settings. If you would like to delve into technical requirements, use cases, or collaboration opportunities, the HORUS team is available to showcase the system and explore integrations.