Documenting a Forensic Scene with 3D Technology
Upon finding a lifeless body in a public road, security forces initiate a procedure that incorporates three-dimensional digitization techniques. The objective is to record every detail of the location with unprecedented accuracy, preserving the integrity of the evidence. 🚨
Capturing the Reality of the Location
After isolating the area, a team of experts arrives to gather information. They use 3D laser scanners and perform photogrammetry with drones. These devices obtain millions of measurements and a large number of images from diverse perspectives. The result is a faithful digital replica that includes the location of the body, marks on the ground, the surrounding flora, and any significant element of the road.
Key Equipment and Methods:- 3D Laser Scanners: Record the geometry of the space with high precision.
- Drones with Cameras: Capture aerial photographs and from complex angles for photogrammetry.
- Security Procedure: Securing the perimeter is the first step to avoid contaminating evidence.
The 3D model acts as an objective and immutable record, consultable long after the physical scene has disappeared.
Building the Forensic Digital Model
The captured information is transferred to a powerful computer system. Specialized software handles aligning and merging all the data. In this way, a dense point cloud and a 3D model with real textures are generated. Investigators explore this virtual environment, measure distances accurately, and study spatial relationships, all without touching the real location.
Advantages of the Digital Model:- Non-Invasive Analysis: The scene is studied without altering or moving physical evidence.
- Permanent Record: The digital file endures for future consultations in the investigation.
- Precise Measurements: Allows calculating distances and angles between any object in the model.
Communicating and Analyzing in a Virtual Space
The final three-dimensional model is uploaded to immersive visualization platforms. This enables recreating different hypotheses about how the events occurred. In a trial, judges and prosecutors can virtually walk through the scene, which helps understand the dynamics of the event more clearly than with traditional plans. This methodology not only archives but also reconstructs and communicates events more effectively. It is the forensic equivalent of saving an exact point of reality, with the utmost seriousness. ⚖️