New 3D Tool Used in Crime Scene Analysis

A police force in the West Midlands is using a laser scanner at crime scenes in the construction of a hyper-realistic virtual world that enables police to continue investigating long after cleaning of the actual location has taken place.

The police employ cameras able to capture millions of room measurements and with an accuracy of within just 2mm. A computer builds 3D images from both the photos and readings.

Prof Mark Williams, team leader, said that the technology enables police to assess scenes in detail, with witness statements able to be cross-referenced with visual evidence.

He said:

“If a witness claimed they saw a crime, we can demonstrate that their view would have been obstructed be a car.

“In a very dynamic environment in a public place where cars could be parked, we can capture the scene on the day and go back and visit it again as if it was on the day the crime took place.”

Warwick Manufacturing Group is also employing high-res CT scanners, not unlike, but more powerful than, body scanners found in hospitals.

With an impressive resolution of 0.1 nanometres (one millionth of a millimetre), scans produced can match bodily tissue damage with a weapon.

Digital forensics and e-discovery is a hot topic at the moment. Predictably, the police force is taking advantage of this technology, but other industries can also benefit. Such technology is in demand and companies can benefit from it by creating IT security management jobs and attracting those skilled in its implementation, thus bolstering their business protection.