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Digital and spatial forensics

3D forensic mapping

Scenes change over time, as do vehicles that receive repairs. Capturing geometry accurately, early, and completely is what keeps every later analysis possible.

We document scenes and vehicles with 3D laser scanners, unmanned aerial systems, and photogrammetry. Our engineers are FAA Part 107 certified for the aerial work.

Each technique complements the others: laser scanning captures vertical detail that drone imagery observes poorly, while aerial photography carries roadway surface detail and color that scans do not. We published the procedure for combining the two in a forensic setting, and it produces a mesh with the accuracy of the scan and the appearance of the photography.

That geometry feeds the reconstruction, the visibility analysis, and the demonstrative exhibits, so the same captured data supports the opinion and the exhibit that explains it.

Scope

What this covers

Capture

  • Terrestrial 3D laser scanning
  • UAS aerial photogrammetry (FAA Part 107)
  • Close-range photogrammetry of vehicles and evidence
  • GPS-referenced scene orientation and scaling

Products

  • Registered point clouds and textured meshes
  • Scaled scene diagrams and site plans
  • Simulation-ready environment geometry
  • Demonstrative exhibits and animation

Peer-reviewed research

Published work behind this practice area

Authored by our engineers and peer-reviewed by external experts.

2012

A Comparison Between a Real World Crash Test, HVE Simulation and 3D Scanning

Suway, J., Cornetto, A., Swanson, J., Bayan, F., Wahba, R., Cipriani, A.

Collision: The International Compendium for Crash Research, Volume 7, Issue 2

  • Accident reconstruction
  • Photogrammetry and mapping
All publications

Who does this work

Engineers on this practice area

Ziad Hatab

Accident reconstruction and vehicle systems

  • Accident reconstruction
  • Automotive and brake systems
  • Microcontrollers and programming
  • 3D modeling and simulation

2 publications

Louis R. Peck

PE, ACTAR

Motorcycle reconstruction, photogrammetry, and testing

  • Motorcycle reconstruction
  • Photogrammetry
  • Testing

12 publications

Christopher Romo

ACTAR

Accident reconstruction and biomechanics

  • 3D reconstruction and collision simulation
  • Biomechanics and occupant kinematics
  • EDR, HVEDR, and infotainment data acquisition
  • Mechanical inspection and restraint system analysis

Henry V. Vega

PE, ACTAR

Accident reconstruction and audio analysis

  • Accident reconstruction, commercial and passenger vehicles
  • Audio analysis and speed determination
  • Photogrammetry, digital mapping, and video analysis
  • UAS scene capture and 3D simulation

6 publications

Request a case review

Send us the incident location, the date, and what is in dispute. We'll discuss what analysis is possible with the evidence that exists, and what it would take to get.