From 3D Surface Documentation to Visualization in Forensic Practice: A Review of Current Methods and Emerging...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Digital Imaging
• Computer Vision

Background:

• Traditional 2D photography and written reports present limitations in capturing complex spatial data for forensic investigations.
• Accurate documentation of crime scenes, accidents, and human remains is crucial for forensic analysis.
• The need for precise, measurable, and reproducible digital evidence drives the adoption of advanced documentation techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current three-dimensional (3D) surface documentation technologies used in forensic investigations.
• To discuss the principles, advantages, and applications of 3D methods for crime scene and human remains documentation.
• To introduce emerging image-based reconstruction techniques and immersive technologies in forensic science.

Main Methods:

• Overview of established 3D surface documentation techniques: laser scanning, structured light scanning, and photogrammetry.
• Introduction to novel image-based reconstruction methods: Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) and 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS).
• Exploration of 3D data integration into immersive environments: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).

Main Results:

• 3D documentation offers accurate, measurable, and reproducible digital evidence, overcoming 2D limitations.
• Emerging methods like NeRF and 3DGS provide high-quality reconstructions from image sets.
• VR and AR integration show significant potential for forensic analysis, courtroom presentations, and educational purposes.

Conclusions:

• 3D technologies are revolutionizing forensic documentation, enhancing accuracy and detail.
• Understanding the strengths and limitations of various 3D techniques is vital for effective forensic application.
• Future advancements in 3D algorithms and immersive integration will further expand digital forensic capabilities.