A case of mass botulism poisoning, linked to a batch of canned goods, triggers a forensic-industrial investigation. The goal: to determine whether the contamination originated from an impact during transport or from a failure in factory sterilization. The key to the answer lies in analyzing the deformations of the swollen cans, for which a workflow based on 3D digitization and simulation is implemented. 🔍
Technical Workflow: From Scanning to Causal Simulation ⚙️
The process begins with the digitization of the cans, using a high-precision 3D scanner like the Artec Micro to capture their deformed geometry. This model is imported into GOM Inspect, where it is compared to a nominal CAD model, quantifying the deformations in the seams and body. Then, using Ansys Fluent, two scenarios are simulated: internal pressure from bacterial growth and the application of external force from an impact. By cross-referencing the real deformation data with the simulation results, the matching causal scenario is identified. Blender is used to generate clear visualizations of the process and findings.
The Objectivity of 3D Data in Attributing Responsibility ⚖️
This case study demonstrates how 3D technology shifts the investigation from the subjective to the quantifiable. Instead of relying on hypotheses, digitized physical evidence is contrasted with physical simulations. The result is an objective technical report that can accurately determine whether the failure was operational, in sterilization, or logistical, due to transport damage, being crucial for corrective actions and legal liability.
How can 3D forensic analysis of deformed or defective cans identify the exact point of failure in the sealing that allowed the entry of Clostridium botulinum and triggered an outbreak of poisoning?
(PS: In scene analysis, every scale witness is a small anonymous hero.)