Leica RTC360激光扫描仪的火灾现场调查

Examination and documentation of the scene is a vital phase in any reported fire or explosion incident.Type and scope of an investigation vary from case to case, that’s why for the investigators it is crucial to follow standardised procedures and rely on best-in-class, proven and fast-working equipment.

在场景上处理物理证据时，每个研究者都有4个基本但重要的步骤：

1. Identify, Collect, and Preserve Evidence
2. 防止污染
3. 包装和运输证据
4. 建立和维护监护链

在对火灾或纵火景观的法医调查中，正确保存证据至关重要。因此，需要精确的站点测量。结果可能是a multi-dimensional再生产of the collected evidence。In this article, we will talk about step one, especially the digital preservation of evidence of a fire or arson scene.

It has been a known challenge to forensic specialists to capture a wide range of rather complex, post-incident features of structural damage of a building and debris thoroughly, given the short time frame for the collection and the complexities associated with safety on-site. Likewise, hazardous environments and the nature of a fire or arson scene might be of an additional challenge for the investigators. That’s why the use of terrestrial laser scanning technologies (fast and accurate scanning from a safe distance) has been of interest to the wider forensic engineering community.

Conventional methods, including the image capturing using SLR cameras or the manual collection of evidence on the scene, might become hazardous and laborious as well as highly contagious due to some limiting factors such as weather, light, radiation, and other conditions.

For example, in post-explosion investigations, it is crucial to study the impact of shock waves, the severity of the damage, and the directions of the falling debris. Without accurate documentation of the scene, these might be difficult to observe in later investigative stages, along with the chance of missing evidence becoming much higher. In large-scale accidents, even the most experienced investigators are bound to mistakes and can’t fully ensure, that they have all the observations well-documented. They possibly could miss measuring some of the important details of the incident, whilst the site is being cleaned and reconstructed by the other parties involved.

与传统的场景映射和分析方法相比，3D激光扫描可用于更具包容性的火灾或纵火事件。3D激光扫描仪Leica RTC360, can easily capture fine details and spatial relationships with speed, comprehensiveness and 0.1-inch accuracy, regardless of environmental conditions and site range. Forensic software such asLeica Map360can integrate collected scan data directly with for example CCTV footage, images, and other relevant documents into models for analysis and hypothesis. Results of the data analysis can be easily accessed from computers in the crime/fire laboratory or anywhere else, providing an easy and accessible way to revert to the details when needed. Event weeks or months after the fire happened.

Major (Dr.)Mohammad A. Alqassimfrom the Dubai Police leads a team of forensic experts experienced in the investigation of fires, the analysis of evidence gathered, or the use in the criminal justice system of information produced by the investigation. Major Alqassim and his teamhave been utilising various portable and stage-mounted 3D scanners for case investigations for many years aiming to implement new technologies in his team’s daily work to gather best results.

迪拜的主要挑战之一是具有挑战性的现场条件，包括环境，例如高温，灰尘/烟熏环境，超高湿度。这些可能会阻止调查人员按预期完成工作。迪拜警方正在寻找能够应对具有挑战性的环境并仍然提供结果的设备，他们可以依靠能力来降雨/水溅起和延长的温度范围。

在大火扑灭期间，不得限制消防员及其巡逻的运动以促进准确的准确证据定位，以避免进一步的调查延迟。对于调查人员而言，捕获站点的每一个延迟都可能阻止许多所需的信息。该站点可能会从其最初的情况中改变。在这种情况下，最大的挑战是使用3D激光扫描仪快速获得尽可能清洁的数据（点云）。在现场完成扫描后，注册和标记捕获的信息发生在办公室中，并由技术专家执行以可视化扫描结果。

Leica RTC360 3D激光扫描仪于2018年中推出，以应对这些挑战ith its new features including the VIS technology (Visual Inertial System), enclosed mirror, and full-time HDR photography. Auto-calibration (“check and adjust”) features of the device ensure consistent accurate measurements. The newly added tagging feature allows for the integration of evidence photography, videography and witness testimony in 3D scans using software calledLeica Cyclone FIELD 360。RTC360激光扫描仪中的双重扫描可能性是捕获可捕获调查人员的关键功能之一。最后，随着RTC360激光扫描仪的启动，所有调查人员的要求和申请都得到了解决。

Major (Dr) Mohammad A. Alqassim and his team along with Dr Satendra Kumar, public safety and a forensic expert from Leica Geosystems, decided to examine the implementation of this new technology to capture incidents (both on-site and in the office) to deliver audio/visual scene reconstruction and reporting. From early 2020, the forensic engineering team at the Dubai Police has been utilising the RTC360 to capture, map and analyse reported fire incidents. The RTC360 reduces the time required on the scene to nearly half, compared to previous generation scanners and mapping tools to capture any scene with HDR. Now, live 3D data visualisation and scanner tracking with the help of VIS technology enabled investigators to capture scenes with more confidence and ease. VIS also enabled investigators to have auto-registered data onsite. Advanced image and video tagging, notations and onsite mobile app-based data registration in the software Cyclone FIELD 360 have save valuable time in the office for integration of point clouds, evidence images, tags and analysis in mainframe databases of the investigation department.

Conclusion:

The RTC360 laser scannerensures, that more investigations are successfully concluded through the proper identification, collection, and examination of all relevant forensic evidence.The laser scanner has proven to be the best-in-class tool used in scene documentation and analysis for forensic engineers at the Dubai Police, who’s改善火灾/纵火场景调查程序的奉献精神是真正的典范

For more information about theLeica RTC360laser scanner and/or fire and arson investigation solutions from Hexagon contact ushere.

关于博士Mohammad A. Alqassim

博士Mohammad A. Alqassim is a renowned and most decorated international forensic engineering expert with more than a Decade of forensic experience in solving crimes related to fire, explosion and engineering. He is currently heading forensic Engineering section of Dubai Police. He holds a doctorate from university of Dundee in Forensic Engineering of Civil Structures and awarded Rashid Award for Scientific Outstanding for his expertise. He is among the very early users of 3D technologies in the region of middle east for forensic investigations and has been part of various high profile and complex investigations related to Arson and structural Collapses across UAE. Dr. Alqassim has been awarded at National and international level for his work in investigation, International Safety Award - Winner – 2020, Parsons August Vollmer Leadership in Forensic Science Award, The Minister of Interior's Research Award, Dubai Medal of Excellence, General Commander Prize and The Minister of Interior's Excellence Award are few of them.

关于博士Satendra Kumar

博士Satendra Kumaris an internationally renowned crime scene expert with 10+ years of experience at various police levels in Asia. His field experience is backed by a master’s and doctorate in forensic investigation specialised in CSI. Currently working as the public safety segment manager for emerging markets and EMEA at Leica Geosystems and volunteering forensics advisor to the India Ministry of IT and Communication. He is among pioneers in the field of 3D scanning for crime scenes of complex nature. he is involved in conducting workshops, trainings for public safety at Interpol and other international police organisations toward enabling state-of-art advance forensic technologies to crime scenes. He has been awarded at various international levels and appreciated from the cabinets of various nations for his contributions in the field of public safety across Asia, Middle East and Africa. He holds various accolades in the field of anti-terrorism, counter-terrorism, explosion dynamics and understanding criminal behaviour from United States.