3D Conflict Analysis: Documenting the Destruction

Published on March 25, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

While peace plans are discussed and negotiations are denied, the war continues to leave a trail of destruction. The recent report on the attack on filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami's house underscores the loss of cultural heritage. In this scenario, 3D technology emerges as a crucial tool for documenting, analyzing, and digitally preserving the reality of the conflict, going beyond headlines to offer tangible forensic evidence.

3D model of a damaged historic building, generated from photographs, showing the impact of a projectile on its facade.

Photogrammetry and LiDAR: Tools for Forensic Preservation 🔍

Techniques such as photogrammetry, which generates 3D models from photographs, and LiDAR scanning, which maps with lasers, would allow creating a millimeter-precise record of damaged sites like Kiarostami's house. This digital twin serves as an archive for possible future physical reconstruction and, more immediately, as forensic evidence. By comparing pre- and post-attack models, the type of weaponry used, the direction of impact, and reports on the ground can be precisely analyzed, validating or refuting them, thus bringing objectivity to investigations of possible war crimes.

Visualize to Raise Awareness: The Power of Digital Reconstruction 💡

Beyond technical analysis, these 3D models have a unique narrative power. They transform cold data into immersive visual experiences that communicate the scale of destruction in a way that figures or descriptions cannot. By making this reality accessible to the international community, awareness based on concrete evidence is fostered, pressuring influential actors to prioritize peace, as urged by the UN, in a conflict with unpredictable consequences.

What photogrammetry techniques would you use to model conflict zones remotely?