Laser Scanning Equipment for Crime Scene Investigations

The Coverdell grant award will be utilized to purchase Leica laser scanning equipment, accompanying software, and appropriate training. This system allows for accurate and precise measurement/documentation of crime scenes, using a LiDAR-based platform that can complete a 360-degree scan in a few minutes. The results can be viewed in a variety of different formats. The system is far more accurate and precise than current manual methods being used in Kansas City, and will allow for certain scientific analyses to be conducted from the data (i.e. blood spatter analysis and shooting incident reconstruction).

The new technology will yield several positive outcomes that will improve both the quality and timeliness of forensic science services in Kansas City, including scene diagrams/presentations with more precise and accurate measurements. Benefits that will be tracked as performance metrics will be an increased turnaround time in fulfilling scene report and diagram requests, and a reduction in time spent processing scenes due to the elimination of hand written diagrams and measurements.

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