Staying on top of digital scene documentation technology is more important than ever for both public safety agencies and private practice professionals tasked with scene reconstruction and analysis. While conferences and training events hosted by law enforcement associations are an excellent way to sharpen your skills, conferences hosted by technology innovation leaders can be equally if not more valuable for gaining insights and knowledge. Of these, HxGN LIVE Global 2022, held in Las Vegas June 20-23, is the premier event for anyone involved in public safety and forensics.
User Presentations Highlight Leading-Edge Technology Application
A full day of sessions from police agency and private investigators explore innovative technology application for crash and crime scene investigation, forensic mapping, collision reconstruction, fire investigation, shooting incident reconstruction and technology procurement. A few highlights of the sessions are as follows.
Evolution of 3D Scanning for Forensic Mapping of Crime Scenes at York Regional Police
Brad Joice | Inspector Special Investigations & Support | York Regional Police | Ontario Canada
York Regional Police (YRP) started exploring the 3D laser scanner world in 2010, working on a research project with the University of Toronto. At that time, the Leica ScanStation 2 was the instrument of choice. In 2014, YRP purchased their first scanner, a Leica ScanStation P20. Fast forward to 2022, and we have added two RTC360 laser scanners, a BLK360 imaging laser scanner and a BLK3D handheld imager to our forensic mapping arsenal.
Every crime scene is different and as such the equipment used to properly measure the scene varies. Most of our scenes are now mapped using several different tools/sensors and the resulting data is then combined into a court presentation. Joice will discuss the journey that YRP embarked upon and the transition of Cyclone to Register 360, P20 to the RTC360 and where does the BLK360 & BLK3D fit into YRP’s mapping processes. He will also go through the evolution of Map360 and TruView while discussing court ready deliverables and their acceptance by our courts. Case examples will be discussed relating to the scanning of shooting scenes for trajectory analysis. Joice will also share lessons learned and the preparation of trajectory cones in Map360 and TruView.
How KNOTT Laboratory Reconstructed the National Spotlight Race Accident of NASCAR Legend Tony Stewart with Laser Scan Data and Video Footage
Stanley C. Stoll |M.Eng. |D.F.E. National Academy of Forensic Engineers | Combat Engineer and Explosives Expert US. Army | Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) | Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) | CEO – Principal Engineer KNOTT Laboratory
Knott Laboratory provides Forensic Engineering and Animation with expertise in Mechanical, Civil, and Structural Engineering cases. Knott laboratory engineers, accident reconstructionists, and animators have worked on over 20,000 cases nationwide. As an example, On August 9th, 2014, NASCAR legend Tony Stewart was racing in a Sprint Car Series event in Canandaigua, NY. During the highly competitive race, Stewart attempted to overtake a fellow racer, Kevin Ward Jr., whose car ended up in the wall. After exiting his vehicle, he was struck by Stewart’s car under a yellow caution flag, resulting in the death of Mr. Ward. The case was in the national spotlight, and Knott Laboratory was contracted to reconstruct the event. Their engineers and animators used laser scan data and video footage to reconstruct the event with scientific accuracy. The laser scan data allowed them to apply techniques known as videogrammetry and matchmoving, to provide otherwise unavailable views and analysis of the collision. Their findings proved to be pivotal for the civil case and are the subject of an upcoming documentary on the incident.
Knott Laboratory also combines its engineering expertise with technology to create structural assessments of historical buildings for safety and preservation issues, as well as in construction litigation and failure analysis. This ensures that if things go wrong, the cause is determined through scientific reason. Through both accident reconstruction and structural analysis, the use of laser scan data allows engineers to make accurate measurements and conduct a level of analysis previously unseen in the industry.
Knott Laboratory’s presentation will showcase examples of the Tony Stewart racing accident and the structural analysis of a historical church. In both cases, you will see how laser scan data and analysis technology led to stunning conclusions.
How Ontario’s Emergency Preparedness Response Unit at the Office of the Fire Marshal deploys Reality Capture and 3D Laser Scanning for Investigations of Serious Fires
Brent Sterling | Emergency Response Specialist | Office of the Fire Marshal |Ontario, Canada
The OFM, working under Fire Protection & Prevention Act 1997, investigates approximately 600 fires and explosions a year. Last year they investigated over 120 Fatal Fires in Ontario. The OFM also provides/coordinates such services as Urban Search & Rescue (USAR), HAZMAT/CBRNE response, and investigate or assist in the investigations of other incidents such as Drug labs & Grow Ops. Sterling will present how OFM has quickly added 3D laser scanning to their toolkit deployed at investigations across the province of Ontario. This will cover some innovative approaches to using the RTC360 scanners and how this technology helps fully document serious fire scenes as they are delayered. Typical scenes frequently involve 100 or more setups and are conducted in a broad range of environmental conditions. This critical information is then used to help investigators as they conduct their analysis.
Hands-On Training Sessions Sharpen Your Technology Skills
As an attendee of the conference, you’ll also be able to choose from a broad range of hands-on technology courses to help you make the best use of digital scene documentation technology. Course selections include:
Creating Rapid Investigative and Pre-Trial Forensic Deliverables
Utilizing the limit boxes to create views and geotags to mark evidence with linked pictures and videos in Cyclone REGISTER 360 creates the foundation for presentations. Further tools in Map360 such as trajectory rods or witness viewpoints finalize the presentations. Other forensic deliverables such as DXF 2D export into Map 360, ortho TIFFs and the overlay of OBJ/IFC models with point clouds will also be explored.
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Map360 Fundamentals
This class introduces users to the program interface, walks through how to create a scene and set up drawing units, as well as general settings and navigation. Users will also learn how to bring in an Ortho TIFF, and use basic drawing commands including layers, snaps, lines, polylines, arcs and circles, grips and selections, body poser, symbols, text and dimensions. The class will end with learning how to organize and print a deliverable.
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Map360 Point Cloud Tools
This class explores how to work with point clouds in 3D and maximize the point cloud toolset. Aligning the point cloud using the UCS tools makes it easy to clean data, create clips, sections and isolate areas of interest to create deliverables. This class will show how to maximize the tools in Map360 to use point clouds to create both 2D and 3D exhibits.
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Merging Total Station, GNSS, Drone, RTC360 and BLK360 data in Map360
This course will show how to import data and overlap data from one project incorporating a total station, GPS/GNSS receiver, drone, RTC360 laser scanner and BLK360 laser scanner. Data from different sources highlights important features about a crime scene or crash. Users will learn how to work with the data and create accurate and compelling deliverables for court.
Additional courses at HxGN LIVE Global 2022 will cover how to use the most popular laser scanning hardware, registration software tips and tricks, and technology highlights on the latest GNSS and total station innovations, including the GS18 I GNSS receiver with visual positioning and the AP20 AutoPole. Public safety professionals qualify for a significant registration discount.
