3D scanning has become an indispensable tool in the world of forensics and law enforcement. Aiding in crime scene reconstruction and simulation, evidence documentation and forensic anthropology, 3D modeling can improve the speed and accuracy of investigations, reshaping the face of forensic science, improving investigations, and contributing to more robust legal outcomes.
Digitizing the scene of a crime and the people involved allows every element of the crime to be reconstructed in a detailed virtual environment, from the spatial relationships between people and objects to minute details such as blood splatters and bullet holes. This digital reconstruction preserves the scene exactly how it was when it was first found, meaning it can be revisited at any point in the investigation, months or even years later.
Detectives and forensic specialists can then check the plausibility of theories and witness statements without having to physically revisit the scene. This is particularly useful in cases that occur in public spaces, which have to be cleaned up and reopened as soon as possible.
An example of how this technology is being used can be seen in this video documentary, which features our BOTSCAN NEO:
Forensic evidence is traditionally documented through written reports supported by 2D images captured by a forensic team. While this method provides a basic idea of the documented evidence, it misses crucial details and features that help form a bigger picture. Creating digital copies of evidence preserves important pieces of a crime scene in full detail, to be analyzed and processed at any time.
This digital preservation is especially useful with perishable or fragile items that can degrade quickly, such as fingerprints, blood stains, wounds and even human remains.
Photogrammetry is especially effective in this respect as it provides a non-invasive, non-contact method of capturing evidence in its original state, without risk of contamination. 3D models allow specialists to study the evidence in virtual reality, measure distances and notice details that may have previously been missed, as well as share the findings with specialists anywhere in the world.
For example, a possible weapon found at a crime scene, such as a gun, could be scanned and recorded for documentation and analysis. This is a raw 3D model of a starting gun, scanning using our Studio Scanner:
Once a crime scene is captured in 3D, forensic experts can leverage these models to perform in-depth analyses and simulations. For example, bullet trajectory analysis becomes far more precise when investigators can visualize the exact positions of objects, walls and people in a scene. The 3D model allows them to trace the bullet’s path through space, providing valuable insights into the events that unfolded. Similarly, injury patterns on victims can be mapped onto 3D models of the human body, enabling pathologists to determine how injuries were inflicted.
Beyond static analysis, 3D scanning also supports dynamic simulations, allowing forensic teams to virtually recreate the sequence of events, such as car crashes or altercations. These reconstructions can be presented in court, offering juries a clear, visual understanding of complex evidence and helping them make more informed decisions based on scientifically accurate data.
3D scans are not just valuable for investigations, they also play a critical role in presenting evidence in court. Traditional 2D images cannot show the spatial relationships between objects and details that are essential in complex cases, which makes it difficult for judges and juries to interpret.
3D models, on the other hand, provide a lifelike, immersive representation of the crime scene that can be explored from multiple angles. For example, attorneys can use these models to walk the jury through a virtual crime scene, showing how events may have unfolded from different perspectives. This level of detail can help clarify key pieces of evidence, making it easier for juries to understand important forensic data.
By enhancing the visual presentation of evidence, 3D scanning contributes to more informed legal decisions and stronger, fact-based arguments in courtrooms.
By providing highly detailed, accurate and reliable digital reconstructions of crime scenes and evidence, 3D scanning is transforming the field of forensics. This technology can enhance every stage of an investigation, from preserving fragile evidence to enabling advanced forensic analysis and simulation. As photogrammetry and 3D scanning continues to develop and gain recognition, it is set to become an even more integral part of the forensic process, driving more efficient investigations and contributing to more just legal outcomes.