Why South Wales Police are using the Leica Geosystems BLK360 for Laser Scanning Major Crime Scenes

The journey to buying a forensic laser-scanner

Russell Gardner is principal forensic imaging officer at the Joint Scientific Investigations Unit at South Wales Police Headquarters, which also provides services to Gwent Police. The force had been using manual measurement techniques and traditional video/photography at crime scenes, but could see the benefits that laser scanning could bring. “So for a few major cases we paid to bring in an external service – but that was never going to be a long-term solution,” explains Russ.

“The BLK360 has worked well in our crime-scene investigations.” Russ Gardner, South Wales Police

The benefits of long-term scene capture

According to Russ Gardner: “Our use of the system helps us avoid disturbing the evidence, and we can permanently capture the whole scene before anything is removed or disposed of. We can then go back to the data any time, even years later, to see the height of a bed or a witness viewpoint. This really matters because when you’re at the scene, you can’t possibly know what questions might come up several months down the line.

As forensic imaging specialists, we increasingly make a difference to the outcome of a case, which can also mean making a positive difference for the victim or their loved ones.

Using scan data can be important. We’re there at the very start of the case, gathering the evidence, and then again at the end when we present and interpret it in court. It’s a privilege to be involved in the whole journey, rather than just part of it.”

场景1 - 一个被埋葬的受害者

A missing person case became a murder case when a body was found in a makeshift grave. Russ’ team scanned the burial area both before and after the body was removed, unsure what the data might offer but wanting to capture the best possible evidence as fully as they could.

Experts including forensic archaeologists were able to infer how the grave had been dug and where the suspect had been standing as they had dug and shovelled the soil.

扫描数据是产生非常准确的坟墓形状和结构视觉记录的关键，这通常很难从2D缩放的图纸，照片和绘图图中看到。

一位法医考古学家说：“扫描在这种情况下确实非常有效，它在记录场景以相对轻松，速度和最重要的是对我来说，做得很好，没有侵犯坟墓或所包含的东西。您飞行的视频非常出色，并真正协助了证据。’

高级调查官迪·安迪·迈尔斯（Di Andy Miles）说：“作为此案的高级调查官，我本来会参加现场，为自己观看景观和沉积现场。该技术具有重大影响的地方对他人的利益。在随后的审判中，陪审团显然不会受益于自己在那里，审判将是多个月后的。我毫不怀疑，在陪审团的法庭环境中展示这一情感镜头，被告对被告提出有罪认罪的作用有所作为。在这种情况下，这样的技术不能低估。”

Scenario 2 – An In-vehicle murder by stabbing

CCTV footage showed a stabbing late at night in a vehicle parked outside a house. However, it was so dark that it was difficult to interpret the footage. So the following day, Russ’ team used the system to create a “bird’s eye” fly-through of the scene, orienting the vehicle in relation to the CCTV camera and its range of view.

Although the suspect was apprehended by other means, the scan data provided important confirmation and understanding of the location and orientation for all concerned in the case, especially the jury. A conviction resulted.

To find out more on how 3D reality capture solutions can help assist an investigation,speak with our team here.