The ability to capture every aspect of spatial data at the scene of a crime allows investigators to revisit the evidence therein as it was originally found. Investigators are finding the capabilities of HDLS to be a powerful tool from the initial stages of evidentiary analysis straight through to the closing arguments in the courtroom.

Experienced forensic professionals are now utilizing cutting-edge High Definition Laser Scanning technology to keep the answers in their places. Preserving the scene with three dimensional (3D) modeling capabilities accurate to 1.5mm and a capture radius of 360˚ × 270˚, a forensic geoscience team can create a fully animated and interactive time capsule of a given space, complete with full spatial analysis, object and ballistic trajectory, and line of sight data.

The current protocol in crime scene investigation involves manually taking hundreds of photographs and measurements, forcing investigators to busily move around the scene to try to cover all angles and collect relevant spatial data. The process is time consuming and presents the possibility of compromising the physical evidence. Once the scene is given up, all that is left for reference is a group of numbers which loosely delineate what can be seen in the corresponding two dimensional photographs.

One reason HDLS is so far superior to conventional photographic point referencing is that it can scan and collect five million points of reference in about one hour. From there, the collection of referenced points, called a “point cloud,” is stitched together with digital photographs taken by the same scanning instrument to create a working model of the entire location. This allows the information to be made available to investigators throughout the process of examining evidence and building a case; it can then stand as expert testimony in the courtroom as well.

From: High Definition Laser Scanning Takes Forensic Geosciences to a New Level by Jacob Dabrowski