[author: Chris Stewart]
Preface
Forensic technology is advancing rapidly. Americans are being attacked by high-tech forensics in every television show and movie they watch.from CSI To MacGyver, Researchers solve their cases and problems with innovative technology. Judges are not affected by these popular media depictions. They expect advanced techniques to be used to analyze cases. These cases can extend to, but are not limited to, road accidents, fire investigations, or structural failure investigations. Our job as a forensic engineer is problem solving and we expect the use of advanced technology. It’s not always done by a lawyer or coordinator, but it’s definitely done by a jury trial.
This article describes 3D scanners, high resolution (HD) drones, video analytics software, and Berla iVe Vehicle Infotainment data analytics software and explores how they can be used in cases.
3D scan
Recent developments in 3D scanner technology have made 3D scanning a popular tool for a wide range of research. 3D scanners can store scenes and objects in digital format more accurately than the standard combination of diagrams, maps, and photos until recently. 3D scanner technology enables rapid 360-degree documentation of scenes, vehicles, or machines. Normal scan time (depending on the scanner settings you choose) is less than 10 minutes per scan and is declining as technology advances. When documenting with a 3D scanner, it is almost unnoticed. The speed and accuracy of technology is constantly improving, reducing the time required in the field to obtain more detailed measurements. This is important in static situations (preserved evidence, open roads, etc.), but even more so in scene surveys where the situation is still potentially dynamic and time is important.
The accuracy of 3D scanners is not isolated at specific points, but provides users with comprehensive data available in all areas scanned. This ensures that the dimensions and visible condition of the location, structure, and objects are preserved on the day, next day, or year after the incident. Examples include roads with temporarily closed construction and buildings with fire or structural damage. In these two situations, the location changes, but 3D scanning allows you to keep a visual and measurable copy of the location’s status indefinitely and perform it in more detail in the future if needed. Data can be provided.
Insertion
The inset is a representation of the scanned vehicle (Photo 1). Each pixel displayed is a 3D point of data. With over 50 million points of data, it’s easy to document vehicle damage. The amount of data also provides additional options for compelling empirical support.
High resolution drone
Drones are beginning to play a major role in forensic engineering. The drone platform with 4K cameras enables unprecedented video and photo documentation of active or old crash sites, fire scenes, building inspections, and complete vehicle documentation (Photo 2). Similar to 3D scanners, documents using the drone platform are quick and thorough, providing a wide range of views from the bird’s eye to the first-person human perspective. For larger areas, the drone can scan the area in question faster than a regular 3D scanner. Drones also have the ability to provide data from higher locations that may be needed for some studies.
Videos and photos from the drone platform are captured in high resolution digital format. These high resolution images can be used in combination with ground targets, reference measurements, or scanner data to obtain accurate measurements. The exceptional quality of the photos allows you to use Photomodeler or other analytical software.
Another use for drone video is animation. Videos shot using a drone can be combined with forensic animation to serve as empirical support for mediation or trial.
Dashcam / Surveillance Video Analysis
Dash cameras and video surveillance are becoming more common as technologies become cheaper and more accessible. Dash cams are used in large commercial vehicles, motorhomes, and private vehicles. In many cases, all you need to do to end a case or claim is a dashcome video presentation. However, in most cases, the video captured by the camera is used to obtain more accurate dimensional and speed data for car accident reconstruction. You can also use dash cams or surveillance videos to challenge, confirm, and clarify your witness account.
Surveillance videos also provide the opportunity to obtain additional information about accidents and events. The new security camera is capturing events in HD format. High-definition video improves accuracy during analysis. In a collision scene involving an intersection, you can provide information about the exact position of the vehicle, which is related to the phase of the traffic light at the time of the collision. In a fire investigation, it helps to provide the origin and, in some cases, the cause.
Analysis of drive recorders and security videos is also in progress. Today, software originally used in the film industry is being used to analyze video for speed and distance data. This software can be combined with scene and vehicle documentation to analyze and reconstruct accidents and fires with great accuracy.
An example of this technology is Synth Eyes. It provides engineers with a wide range of tools for retrieving relevant data from dash cams or surveillance video footage. The inset is a sample of SynthEyes technology applied to an incident dashcome video (Photo 3).
BERLA iVe Vehicle System Forensics
New technology developed by BERLA and its iVe Vehicle System Forensics allows you to retrieve information stored in many new vehicles, including past location, system operational data (rapid acceleration, braking, gearshifts, wheel speeds, etc.). .. Connected devices and, if they were used, timestamps, geographic data, and much more data captured by the vehicle. Unlike EDRs, which require events to store pre-crash and post-crash data, this is information that is always stored in the vehicle’s infotainment and telematics systems. Obtaining this data gives you insight into the driver’s behavior leading up to the crash, including the moment of the crash. If a hit-and-run occurs, the data can indicate whether the vehicle was in the area of the collision at that particular date and time. In addition, the data can indicate whether a device linked to the infotainment system was used at the time of the collision.
Depending on the data available on the vehicle in question, the information obtained will help improve the accuracy of the reconstruction. It can also support potential claims of inattentive driving that could lead to a collision. This information also provides insights into driving behavior leading up to and including collisions. Events are not recorded by the EDR because the Delta V is too small to record the event In the case of a bicycle-pedestrian collision, the constantly recorded vehicle system and location information can provide useful information for reconstruction. ..
application
Today, it’s all about having the latest and greatest technology. As engineers and investigators, we share that feeling, but we also understand that the end result of our work is education and explanation. What makes these technologies so important is not only the comprehensive data they provide, but also the different approaches they provide. With a 3D scanner or HD drone data, you can choose the advanced level that the expert has chosen to present in the case. In other words, it is possible to coordinate the approach to the audience and the case. For example, it may be best to use the 2D line drawing of the scene and vehicle presented to the easel for the jury. In addition, 3D images / models can provide different perspectives for the same scene, allowing presenters to change perspectives on demand. You can further use the 3D scene and vehicle data to render animations and still images that describe the reconstruction of an accident, the behavior of a particular machine, or the outbreak of a fire. Another option is to use the data to 3D print a scale model of a scene, vehicle, building, or machine (Photo 4). This method allows for hands-on demonstrations and explanations of analysis. When it comes to “showing and telling,” showing is often prioritized over explanation.
Conclusion
Advanced technology is everywhere, and courts are no exception. The use of advanced techniques from the beginning of the investigation is expected by most jury trials. 3D scanning, 4K drone flight, advanced video analysis software, and vehicle infotainment and telematics data are at the forefront of advanced technology in evidence storage and accident analysis.
Advanced technology provides more information and options for analysis and presentation of case problems. More information and options will also help in the decision-making process on how to handle a claim or case.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank PE Jonathan Wolgemuth and Chris Stewart for providing the insights and expertise that have contributed significantly to this study.
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