Zeitschrift für forensische Forschung

Proposing Application of 3D Scanning Technology in Crime Scene Documentation

Abstract

R Anantkumar Patil, Samidha S Walvekr, and Manjushri S Bagul

The purpose of an investigative sketch is to provide a correct record that shows the scene as it was found and that can be examined later. It does not require artistic ability but must be accurate enough to show the facts. The sketch is supplementary to the investigator's field notes. Hence to improvise the data being recorded, we are proposing introduction of 3D scanning to the crime scene documentation process. 3D scanning will provide us more precised and detailed results which will help the investigators to reconstruct the crime scene in a very easy and handy way. 3D scanning being digital data it will be very easy to handle and combine it with other technology like virtual reality (VR), Simulation etc… which will increase its importance as a document as well as evidence. It’s also very safe to use it digitally as we can encrypt it using hash function and its own digital profile will also help to prevent tempering. So, in this study we are scanning 3 sample crime scenes in three different conditions by a 3D scanner and make the 3D models of the respective scenes to understand its strengths and weaknesses. So that we can use it for investigation processes and overcome its flaws.