An Evaluation of the Use of 360° Photographic Technology in a Forensic Context

Crime scenes represent ephemeral and complex environments and the intelligence and evidence that they contain requires them to be documented and collected quickly and efficiently so as to limit any loss of evidence. With the continuous developments of new imaging and recording technologies, there is the opportunity for more innovative and appropriate methods for documenting and managing crime scenes that may improve investigative proffered to the Criminal Justice system and indeed the public. This thesis has explored the potential of new panoramic imaging technologies and crime scene management content software to assist and develop the way in which criminal investigations are investigated, and conducted starting with how crime scenes are recorded and evidence linked with them.
There is currently a vast array of differing panoramic imaging technologies available to Police services such as SceneVision Panorama, Panoscan MK-3, iStar
(NCTech), SceneCam (Spheron VR AG), ScanStation C10 (Leica) and Focus3D X
330 (FARO), with each reporting to offer unique merits to an investigation. This can present difficulties for police services when considering the purchase and use of such technologies. With declining budgets, Police services do not have the time and resources to evaluate technology prior to its adoption. Thorough research evaluating the technology would allow Police services to make informed decisions about the adoption of technology which is fit for purpose and cost effective.
This research explored panoramic technologies available to Police services and the considerations which organisations must account for prior to the adoption and integration into current standard operating procedures. An important adoption criteria is the accuracy and precision of capture and measurement of the technology’s hardware and software and these factors are essential factors for the successful integration of such equipment within the Criminal Justice System. The accuracy and precision of measurements taken using a 360o panoramic imaging system, ‘SceneCam’ and its complimentary content management system,
‘SceneCenter’ (Spheron VR AG) was examined and compared to traditional
measurement methods. Measurements taken using the photogrammetry software were identified as being more reproducible than the any manual approach, and this offered flexibility with regards to the time and location of the documentation process in a crime scene.