FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 23, 2012) — Thanks to funds provided by a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant, made available through the Department of Justice, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) is now using a state-of-the-art 3D scanner that provides detectives a “true view” of crime and crash scenes.
KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer said the agency is the first in Kentucky to purchase and actively use the Leica ScanStation C10.
“This powerful forensic tool that enables detectives to quickly document and measure a crime scene using laser mapping technology provides an accurate, 3-D picture of a crime scene,” he said.
The Leica ScanStation C10 is a portable laser that can capture 50,000 measurement points per second to a range of 900 feet.
“We have come a long way from still photographs and measurements taken by hand,” Brewer said. “This scanner will provide a visual dynamic in the court room that will aid in the prosecution of crimes and minimize the potential for human error, which can sometimes undermine the credibility of evidence.”
The scanner also will reduce man hours currently used to handle crime and crash scene investigations, he said.
“Many times, we will have a dozen officers on hand at a scene, including detectives, officers to preserve the crime scene, close roads, or divert traffic. With this new technology, we are now able to reduce the amount of time and manpower needed at these scenes,” Brewer said.
The commissioner said KSP has “the best trained crime scene investigators available to the commonwealth,” and now the officers have a versatile instrument for forensic documentation that highlights the very latest in proven technology.
The ScanStation was purchased for $65,000 partially with VAWA grant funds.
Sgt. Chad Mills from the KSP Collision Analysis and Highway Safety Branch provided a live demonstration of the Leica ScanStation C10, showing sample 3D videos produced by a ScanStation and the ease of portability.
“When detectives or investigators are called to a scene, our goal is to find the truth by determining a reliable and accurate representation of actual events,” Mills said. “The Leica ScanStation C10 provides that digital footprint to help us do, just that.”
The ScanStation allows investigators to preserve the scene exactly the way it was discovered, he said.
“This tool allows us to virtually revisit and measure the scene any time in the future. It also produces detailed graphic presentations that can be used as compelling courtroom graphics – actually allowing the prosecutor to place the jury into the crime scene,” Mills said.
To view a video depicting how the Leica ScanStation C10 operates, click here.
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