An Evaluation of the Use of 360° Photographic Technology in a Forensic Context

Crime scenes represent ephemeral and complex environments and the intelligence and evidence that they contain requires them to be documented and collected quickly and efficiently so as to limit any loss of evidence. With the continuous developments of new imaging and recording technologies, there is the opportunity for more innovative and appropriate methods for documenting and managing crime scenes that may improve investigative proffered to the Criminal Justice system and indeed the public. This thesis has explored the potential of new panoramic imaging technologies and crime scene management content software to assist and develop the way in which criminal investigations are investigated, and conducted starting with how crime scenes are recorded and evidence linked with them. There is currently a vast array of differing panoramic imaging technologies available to Police services such as SceneVision Panorama, Panoscan MK-3, iStar (NCTech), SceneCam (Spheron VR AG), ScanStation C10 (Leica) and Focus3D X 330 (FARO), with each reporting to offer unique merits to an investigation. This can present difficulties for police services when considering the purchase and use of such technologies. With declining budgets, Police services do not have the time and resources to evaluate technology prior to its adoption. Thorough research evaluating the technology would allow Police services to make informed decisions about the adoption of technology which is fit for purpose and cost effective. This research explored panoramic technologies available to Police services and the considerations which organisations must account for prior to the adoption and integration into current standard operating procedures. An important adoption criteria is the accuracy and precision of capture and measurement of the technology’s hardware and software and these factors are essential factors for the successful integration of such equipment within the Criminal Justice System. The accuracy and precision of measurements taken using a 360o panoramic imaging system, ‘SceneCam’ and its complimentary content management system, ‘SceneCenter’ (Spheron VR AG) was examined and compared to traditional measurement methods. Measurements taken using the photogrammetry software were identified as being more reproducible than the any manual approach, and this offered flexibility with regards to the time and location of the documentation process in a crime scene

A Comparative Study of Photogrammetric Methods using Panoramic Photography in a Forensic Context

Taking measurements of a scene is an integral aspect of the crime scene documentation process, and accepted limits of accuracy for taking measurements at a crime scene vary throughout the world. In the UK, there is no published accepted limit of accuracy, whereas the United States has an accepted limit of accuracy of 0.25 inch. As part of the International organisation for Standardisation 17020 accreditation competency testing is required for all work conducted at the crime scene. As part of this, all measuring devices need to be calibrated within known tolerances in order to meet the required standard, and measurements will be required to have a clearly defined limit of accuracy. This investigation sought to compare measurement capabilities of two different methods for measuring crime scenes; using a tape measure, and a 360o camera with complimentary photogrammetry software application. Participants measured ten fixed and non-fixed items using both methods and these were compared to control measurements taken using a laser distance measure. Statistical analysis using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test demonstrated statistically significant differences between the tape, software and control measurements. The majority of the differences were negligible, amounting to millimetre differences. The tape measure was found to be more accurate than the software application, which offered greater precision. Measurement errors were attributed to human error in understanding the operation of the software, suggesting that training be given before using the software to take measurements. Transcription errors were present with the tape measure approach. Measurements taken using the photogrammetry software were more reproducible than the tape measure approach, and offered flexibility with regards to the time and location of the documentation process, unlike manual tape measuring

A comparative study of photogrammetric methods using panoramic photography in a forensic context.

Taking measurements of a scene is an integral aspect of the crime scene documentation process, and accepted limits of accuracy for taking measurements at a crime scene vary throughout the world. In the UK, there is no published accepted limit of accuracy, whereas the United States has an accepted limit of accuracy of 0.25 inch. As part of the International organisation for Standardisation 17020 accreditation competency testing is required for all work conducted at the crime scene. As part of this, all measuring devices need to be calibrated within known tolerances in order to meet the required standard, and measurements will be required to have a clearly defined limit of accuracy. This investigation sought to compare measurement capabilities of two different methods for measuring crime scenes; using a tape measure, and a 360° camera with complimentary photogrammetry software application. Participants measured ten fixed and non-fixed items using both methods and these were compared to control measurements taken using a laser distance measure. Statistical analysis using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test demonstrated statistically significant differences between the tape, software and control measurements. The majority of the differences were negligible, amounting to millimetre differences. The tape measure was found to be more accurate than the software application, which offered greater precision. Measurement errors were attributed to human error in understanding the operation of the software, suggesting that training be given before using the software to take measurements. Transcription errors were present with the tape measure approach. Measurements taken using the photogrammetry software were more reproducible than the tape measure approach, and offered flexibility with regards to the time and location of the documentation process, unlike manual tape measuring

How Technology is Revolutionising Crime Scene Capture and Presentation Visualising a Crime Scene using Novel Crime Scene Documentation Technology

The ability to document crime scene environments in a safe, timely and efficient manner is an integral aspect in the early stages of any criminal investigation. Current methods for documenting crime scenes rely heavily upon digital photography to capture a scene in its original state. In order to meet the demand of technological expectations of juries and law enforcement personnel, forensic investigation findings need to be clearly visualised. Traditional verbal methods of presenting evidence from crime scenes are no longer sufficient and advances in technology have produced systems which allow an entire scene to be documented quickly and efficiently, using spherical photography or 3D laser scanning. This technology allows users to visit a scene without having to be physically present and allows users to view the entire scene as opposed to only the information or evidence deemed relevant at that time. The technology provides a visual presentation tool and allows juries to better understand the evidence they are presented with, providing contextual relevance and conveying spatial relationships within a scene; an aspect that still-digital photography cannot offer. This paper discusses some of the crime scene visualisation and presentation technologies, which are available to police forces, including the benefits and limitations of this technology and recommendations for future use of technology