Virtual reality and integrated crime scene scanning for immersive and heterogeneous crime scene reconstruction

Abstract

Crime scene reconstruction plays a significant role in crime solving by helping to determine the course of events. Non-invasive, high-resolution measurement and increased insight are always the goal of forensic crime scene documentation. However, entire crime scenes cannot be effectively reconstructed with traditional methods. In this study, we present a portable system that consists of a laser scanner, two hand-held structured light scanners and a low-cost virtual reality (VR) headset with a mobile power supply to conduct multi-angle and omnidirectional three-dimensional spatial data collection of crime scenes. To demonstrate practical use, a real case has been analysed to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the system.The system accurately obtains information on decedent injuries, possible injury-inflicting tools and on-site traces. Various types of evidence from the crime scene can be jointly studied by three-dimensional visualization to develop a cohesive story. The data are presented via immersive VR rather than displayed on computer screens. The relationship between evidence chains enables us to achieve a complete crime scene reconstruction, using the specialized knowledge of experts and computer-aided forensic tools to analyse the causes of damage and identify suspects. The use of three- dimensional imaging techniques allows a more insightful survey and several useful analyses, such as accurate measurement, relative blood source location determination and injury-inflicting tool comparison.