Dr. Rukmani Krishnamurthy is widely celebrated as India’s first woman forensic scientist, a trailblazer whose exceptional career reshaped the landscape of forensic investigation in the country.
Born in Nagpur in 1949, Dr. Krishnamurthy embarked on her forensic journey in 1974 when she joined the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories in Mumbai — at a time when few understood the field, and even fewer expected a woman to excel in it. Her determination to prove skeptics wrong became the driving force behind her long and impactful career.
Throughout her decades in forensic science, Dr. Krishnamurthy played key roles in solving some of India’s most challenging and high-profile cases. She was instrumental in investigations such as the 1993 Mumbai blasts, where she led the explosives department’s efforts, earning international recognition for the lab’s meticulous work. Her expertise also contributed significantly to probing major crimes and enhancing scientific rigor in judicial processes nationwide.
Later in her career, Dr. Krishnamurthy rose to senior leadership roles, including serving as Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Maharashtra and supporting the establishment of cutting-edge forensic facilities and educational programmes. Today, she continues to shape the field as Chairperson & CEO of Helik Advisory Ltd. and as an esteemed member of academic and professional forensic institutions.
