Forensics experts at the WAD Conference

How state-of-the-art laser scanners are making investigators’ work easier

Malta. The annual general meeting of the WAD – the World Association of Detectives – will be taking place from 22 until 26 September. It will be hosted by the Malta-based IWA Group – a professional investigation company active worldwide. The conference highlights include lectures by forensics experts who will be introducing the industry’s newest technological innovation: so-called laser scanners. These devices are expected to simplify detectives’ work in future, eliminating the need for them to visit the scene of the crime.

“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” – the American television series has also been a hit on European networks. The work of criminologists in collecting evidence and clues seems fascinating, but what actually belongs to the day-to-day life of forensic scientists? And how can modern technology help to catch the culprit?

International forensic specialists will be finding the answers to these questions at this year’s WAD conference. They will be presenting the newest technological innovations in forensics to investigators from around the world. This year’s focus: the use of laser scanners, which can be used to provide complete documentation of the crime scene.

These scanners have already been tested in a display trial at the Conference for Forensic and Security Metrology (FSM) in Houston, Texas. The FBI prepared a “crime scene” which was to be documented using the laser technology. In this mock abduction case, the crime scene forensic specialists were confronted with a parked car, tyre tracks, footprints, bullet casings, a necklace and a coffee mug.

A team comprising three experts employed laser cameras to photograph the crime scene: a cutting-edge Spheron camera was used to take panorama shots, documenting all details; and a Zoller+Fröhlich-brand IMAGER 5006 was used to realise laser scan images from various angles. Duration: three and a half hours.

The data was fed into a computer and processed using CAD software (software which is also used by architects to view three dimensional models of their designs). In this application, the processing has a different goal: it allows the criminologists to enter the crime scene again – and in the exact state in which it was found the moment the police arrived. The crime scene can be viewed and analysed in detail from all angles. Objects can even be zoomed into. In addition to this, a compilation of this data and witness statements and security camera footage can be integrated into the 3D visualisation.

The professional detectives can then get to work using this wealth of information. In Germany, this new procedure is already being used by state anti-crime agencies, e.g. in the investigation of the murders at an ice-cream parlour in Russelsheim in 2008. The data which was collected proved to be of great importance as evidence in court.

An added advantage provided by this technology: theoretically, the investigators do not even need to visit the scene of the crime themselves, as the laser-recorded data allows the crime scene to be reproduced. This also means that professionals across the globe can take part in investigations or be asked for advice. The data can simply be transmitted via the internet.

This is why the experts’ presentation at the conference in Malta is being anticipated with great excitement. The continuing development of this technology is seeing the devices and software being fine-tuned. The delegates at the WAD conference are soon to find out just how far this development has progressed.

More information about the conference
www.wad-conference.com

IWA Group

www.iwa-group.com
email: conference@iwa-group.com

UK +44 0208 816 7623 Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, ECN1HN, UK

Malta +356 23 262 220 12/14 Strait Street, Valletta, VLT 1432, Malta

Germany +49 0180 535 6262

USA +1 315 359 4413 Hotline for US customers

IWA Group
International Information and info broker, Investigation
in Germany and all over Europe, in the field
- insurance fraud
- credit card fraud
- missing person
- asset search
- employmend check
- surveillance

This release was published on openPR.