Built for the reality of modern digital investigations
Semantics 21 builds investigator-led forensic intelligence tools designed for the scale, complexity, and pressure of modern digital investigations.
The reality we are built for
Digital investigations now involve more devices, more imagery, more video, and more data than traditional workflows were designed to handle.
Investigators are expected to review increasing volumes of material, surface relevant intelligence quickly, and make defensible decisions under operational pressure.
This creates risk:
Critical intelligence can remain buried in high-volume evidence
Manual review slows investigative momentum
Repeated exposure to traumatic material creates cumulative strain
S21 tools are designed to help investigators work faster, prioritise evidence more effectively, and reduce unnecessary manual review burden.
What S21 is designed to do
S21 develops investigator-led forensic intelligence tools designed to help teams prioritise digital evidence, surface relevant intelligence, and reduce unnecessary manual review.
Our tools are built for operational investigative environments, including secure and restricted networks, where speed, transparency, and investigator control matter.
S21 supports investigative judgement. It does not replace it.
We put our best foot forward, always
Designed with investigators
Built around real investigative workflows, operational pressures, and frontline forensic practice.
Built for operational environments
Designed for high-volume investigations, secure environments, and operational deployments where reliability is critical.
Built to surface intelligence
S21 tools help investigators prioritise evidence, surface relevant intelligence, and identify connections faster across large datasets.
Reducing unnecessary exposure
S21 wellbeing features are designed to reduce unnecessary exposure to traumatic material and support sustainable investigative practice.
Trusted in sensitive investigative environments
S21 tools are used by investigative and forensic teams working with large-scale digital evidence, CCTV investigations, victim identification workflows, and intelligence-led investigations.
Designed for operational environments where reliability, transparency, and investigator confidence matter.
Why S21 exists
Investigators should not lose critical intelligence because software failed to surface relevance, prioritise evidence, or support operational review effectively.
As digital investigations continue to scale, investigative teams need tools designed to help them work faster, review more material, and maintain control over increasingly complex evidence environments.
S21 builds investigator-led forensic intelligence systems designed for modern investigative reality.
Our Story
From launch in 2015 to today, we are recognised as the most innovative and trusted provider of categorisation and victim identification products across the world and the first Digital Forensic company recognised in 2019 with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation, and in 2024 also honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. Our company culture and ethos is underpinned by a single belief shared by our team and the community: Every Victim Matters.
In 2025, our CEO, Dr Liam Owens, was honoured with the Most Significant Contribution to the Global Response to Online CSA Award at the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) conference, recognising his outstanding leadership and impact in shaping the international fight against child sexual abuse. This award reflects not only his dedication but also the collective efforts of the whole S21 team, partners and the wider community who share our mission to protect children worldwide.
Our company culture and ethos is underpinned by a single belief shared by our team and the community: Every Victim Matters.
A few words from our CEO
“I am proud to work alongside the most dedicated and passionate team in digital forensics. Our team of UK and international staff are experts in their respective areas, with one common goal: rescuing victims.
Our team give their all (and more), to ensure that you have access to the very best tools and support, enabling you to do what you do best, protect the public and save children from sexual exploitation.
The company is driven not by money, profit or shares, but by finding more victims, eliminating backlogs and protecting investigator mental wellbeing. As such almost all of our team work in development and support, with an expectation to respond and resolve issues within 48 hours – a unique achievement compared to anyone else in the industry.”
Our senior management team
Dr. Liam Owens
Founder and CEO
At the helm of S21, Liam leads with a commitment to putting victims and customers first. A trained digital forensics investigator, he is recognised as an expert witness by the UK House of Lords for his expertise in AI for semantic understanding from media and its use in Law Enforcement. As a world leader in automated decision-making in digital forensics, Liam continues to drive innovation in the field.
Prof. Claude Chibelushi
Director of Research and Development
An internationally-recognised AI expert in digital media understanding, Claude spent years as a research lead at Staffordshire University and conducted some of his work at the University of Oxford, and with BMW. He has current engagements with various other prestigious institutions, such as the University of Warwick. He now heads S21’s R&D, including the NEXUS team.
Tom Oldroyd
Director of Strategy and Sales
An ex-Sergeant from Nottinghamshire Police for 17 years, Tom managed a standout Digital Forensics Unit in the UK before hanging-up-his-cuffs to work for BlackBag Technologies, Cellebrite and now leads S21’s strategy and sales activities.
Further Recognition and Industry Accolades
Innovation, Science & Technology
Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2024
In 2024, we were proud to receive the Innovation, Science & Technology Award at the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, recognising our commitment to pushing boundaries in digital forensics and delivering cutting-edge solutions that support investigators around the world. This accolade highlights our dedication to innovation at every level of our organisation, driving forward technology that makes a real difference in safeguarding victims.
Small Business of the Year
Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2024
In 2024, we were honoured with the Small Business of the Year Award at the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, a recognition of our growth, resilience, and commitment to excellence. This award reflects the hard work and passion of our team, whose dedication ensures we continue to deliver trusted, world-leading solutions that make a meaningful impact.
Digital Award
Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2024
In 2024, we were delighted to receive the Digital Award at the Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards, recognising our expertise in harnessing digital innovation to create impactful solutions for investigators worldwide. This award celebrates our forward-thinking approach and continued investment in technology that drives positive change and protects those most vulnerable.
When digital evidence volumes keep growing, investigators need tools built for operational reality.
Support investigative teams with tools designed to review high volumes of digital evidence, prioritise what matters, and reduce unnecessary manual review burden.
