Crime Scene Technology: A French Scale-Up on the Global Stage
By Olivier Ducuing, Correspondent in Lille — October 2, 2025
Crime Scene Technology (CST), a fast-growing French scale-up recently crowned Scale-up of the Year 2025 for the Nord region, is taking bold steps toward global expansion. With its patented technology and a growing roster of international contracts, CST is investing heavily in a state-of-the-art facility to support its rapid growth. The company aims to establish itself as the global standard in document security.
Innovative Technology with a Strong International Footprint
Founded by Cosimo Prete, a former forensic police expert, CST initially made a name for itself through fingerprint revelation techniques. This expertise earned CST prestigious references such as the FBI and Scotland Yard. However, today, forensic police services contribute only a small percentage of CST’s revenue, with 95% generated from exports. The company’s turnover remains confidential to protect its competitive edge.
In recent years, CST has strategically shifted its focus toward protecting sovereign documents and combating fraud. Its flagship technology, known as Optical Variable Material (OVM), leverages unique chemical and optical properties to enable quick and reliable document validation. CST holds 50 patents related to this technology, which is currently deployed in 30 countries.
Securing Passports and Identity Documents Worldwide
The OVM technology is available both as a polycarbonate raw material and as specialized secure inks. Its distinctive feature is a color change effect that is visible to the naked eye or under ultraviolet light, depending on the background. This allows security personnel to rapidly authenticate documents such as passports, identity cards, and driving licenses.
CST has successfully secured contracts with numerous governments worldwide. Notable clients include the Australian and Latvian passport offices, the Mexican consular card authorities, and, more recently, the German biometric passport program. “Our contracts typically last between five to ten years, giving us decade-long revenue visibility,” commented Cosimo Prete, who is confident CST’s technology is becoming an international benchmark.
Robust Growth and Strategic Investments
Employing 17 people, CST has experienced double-digit growth and maintained profitability for the past four years. The company’s promising outlook has attracted significant investor interest. After initial backing from Finovam, FIRA, and Nord France Amorçage in 2015, German chemical giant Covestro invested in 2020 before passing the baton to the Pascal Cagni-led investment fund C4 Industries.
To meet rising production demands and scale its operations, CST has invested several million euros in a high-security, 1,200-square-meter facility located in the Oméga Parc business park in Élancourt, in the Yvelines department. This site neighbors major aerospace and defense players like Thales and Airbus, positioning CST within a strategic industrial ecosystem.
The Challenge of Gaining Recognition at Home
Despite CST’s growing international acclaim and multiple awards, including its recent Scale-up of the Year designation, the company has yet to establish a significant foothold within France. “No one is a prophet in their own country,” reflects Cosimo Prete with a wry smile, underscoring the irony as CST gains presidential attention abroad but seeks wider recognition domestically.
Looking Ahead
With its patented technology, growing global client base, and solid financial footing, Crime Scene Technology exemplifies the strength of French innovation in the cybersecurity and document protection sectors. As the company consolidates its presence worldwide, the next challenge lies in becoming a household name within the French technology scene and setting new standards in global document security.
Crime Scene Technology’s recognition as Scale-up of the Year was part of the 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year awards organized by EY in partnership with Edmond de Rothschild, Samsic, and Verlingue, with support from Bpifrance.
For more information on CST and its groundbreaking technology, as well as other promising French startups, visit Les Echos.
