3D laser scanner set to revolutionise road crash investigations
A new high-tech 3D laser scanner is set to revolutionise the way
officers investigate crash scenes on the county’s major road
network.
Above: Pc Alan Barlow with scanner
The RIEGL VZ-400 scanner, delivered to Essex Police’s Forensic
Collision Investigation Unit last month, collects detailed 3D
images of crash sites in up to half the time it currently takes an
officer to collect evidence manually.
As well as reducing the length of time a road needs to be closed
after a serious crash, the data collected can recreate a virtual
copy of the scene which can be used as an investigative aid and in
court to support or contest driver and witness statements.
Put simply, the scanner collects evidence using a laser beam to
survey and record 120,000 tiny details of the scene every second
while slowly rotating on a 360 degree axis.
Trials on London’s road network showed the scanners were able to
collect 30 per cent more data up to 50 per cent faster than the
traditional manual methods. In turn, average road closure times
were reduced by an average of 90 minutes.
Above: Pc Alan Barlow with scanner
Aside the Metropolitan Police Service, laser scanning has been
launched in Essex first because of its links to the London 2012
Olympic road network. Over time the scanners will be rolled out to
25 other forces across England.
The equipment has been jointly funded by the Department of
Transport, the NPIA, Essex Police Authority and Essex County
Council.
A number of officers from the Forensic Collision Investigation
Unit at Boreham have already been trained to use the equipment
supplied by 3D Laser Mapping but all of the team will eventually be
able to use the tool.
Pc Duncan Thurwell from the Forensic Collision Investigation
Unit said: “The laser scanner is an amazing piece of equipment that
will reduce road closure times after fatal or serious collisions –
something we know is a source of frustration to members of the
public who rely on the roads.
“It also allows us to build a much more detailed picture of
events from evidence at the scene and turn it into a virtual 3D
world which can be used as an investigative aid, to analyse the
actions of a driver from their viewpoint or be called upon in court
to test witness evidence.
“Although the scanner is being rolled out to aid the
investigation of collisions, it can also be used at the scenes of
other serious incidents where detailed evidence needs to be
captured such as murder or rape.”
