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BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
DIRECTION OF TECHNICAL-SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANCY AND
INVESTIGATIONS
THE EMPLOYMENT OF 3D IMAGES FOR THE CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION
WITHIN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Authors:
MOLINA WUILMER
Criminal Investigator IV
RAFAEL DABOIN
Criminal Investigator IV
- Abstract
Nowadays, it is possible to obtain a virtual examination, analysis, and reconstruction of a
crime scene by using 3D reconstruction software, which is a useful tool able to fix and
reproduce real-looking images of the place where an event occurred, this would contribute
to the Venezuelan Attorney General’s Office in the quest of truth and justice.
At first glance, this paper provides a brief review about the origins of drawing and its
application within the criminalistics field. Another aspect considered concerns the technical
parameters that lead to what is known today as “Planimetrics”. Secondly, we cover topics
related to the beginnings of the 3D and the evolution it has had within criminalistics.
Additionally, we portray the avant-garde technological initiative adopted by the Attorney
General’s Office.
This paper presents three cases which obtained positive results after using this tool; this fact
provides a more real-looking vision of the events, an important aspect to examine a crime
scene and to understand what happened.
Lastly, we refer to the implementation of an innovative project concerning the 3D
application, thus we bring a proposal of including within the Venezuela legislation the use
of virtual technology to reenact a crime scene through a “3D planimetric survey” and, in
this way, obtain better results in the understanding of events.
- Historical Review
The starting point arises in Antique painting made over stones, images placed inside caves,
in which there were a representation of objects, people or places with the purpose of
reenacting different forms and positions that portray the struggle the human being had
suffered searching for food or to survive in a hostile environment. In this regard, it is
important to prove a review on the history of drawing, as well as its contribution to cultures
and the human context.
The most antique images correspond to the caves paintings, which provided the new world
with the possibility of having an approach to the reality of these societies. Painting
concerns a manner of portraying life the way it was, the way it was perceived by its
habitants. (See image N° 1)
The aforementioned corresponds to the human being purpose of representing, through
drawings, a crime scene the way it is, with the purpose of reenacting the precise location of
objects.
Throughout time, painting began to be part of daily life in many aspects: arts, education,
publicity and it started to be applied within the labor of a criminal investigator, by using a
special methodology known as “technical drawing”. This tool was firstly used to prepare
industrial pieces, future constructions and the design of many objects, all of them in their
precise dimension. Moreover, painting obtained a satisfactory application within
criminalistics.
Currently, “planimetrics” allows representing to scale all the relevant details of a surface
with its precise measures and dimensions. This activity is called “Planimetric Survey”,
which can be defined as the fixation of what can be observed in the crime scene. (See
image N° 2).
“General Sketch corresponds to first painting realized by authorities once they arrive
at the place. It is helpful for the crime scene technicians, since it shows the
distribution and corpses had in the scene. (Enciclopedia CCI Criminalística,
Criminología e Investigación, Tomo I Criminalistica. Pag. 218). (1). (Ref. “A”)
The fixation of a scene by creating a plan has been done with the purpose of safeguarding a
place and to avoid any alteration that may modify its elements and evidences.
” The Crime Scene has an important role regarding the collection of proving elements
for the penal process; this requires the elaboration of a clear sketch to delimit
fundamental circumstances. The criminal draftsman must elaborate a plan able to
provide a clear and precise view of the crime scene to attorneys, judges and witnesses.”
(http://www.peliculastodas.com/criminologia-y-cine/planimetria-forense/). (Ref. “B”).
Planimetric drawing is a graphic resource that allows the object´s fixation, the terms their
size-distance relations within the area under investigation. It is generally elaborated to a
determined scale, taking into consideration the cardinal orientation, as well as the
methodology employed in the technical drawing. Planimetric survey and photography serve
as a complement of a written description or Technical Inspection of a crime scene (also
known as Ocular Inspection).
Time and technological progress are unstoppable, they are generated at every moment of
life, in the same way changes take place in the manner of sketching daily circumstances.
Due to the development and evolution of means of communication (mass media), the
human being has created and adopted technological improves that allow the virtual
reconstruction of places, objects, constructions, faces and bodies with an accuracy that may
complicate any distinction.
”History of Technical Drawing. Gaspard Monge, a French mathematician (1746-1818)
obtained one of the biggest steps in this area. He is considered the father of differential
geometry, which allows the representation of tridimensional surfaces over
bidimensional one.” (http://www.slideshare.net/FHEDRA/94209752-historiadeldibujo).
(Ref. “C”).
On a drawing made on a paper (two-dimensional surface) it is possible to see a result that
reflects an image of 2 plans of visualization, coordinates (X,Y) representing length and
width, to which a third coordinate will be added (Z) object’s height in order to obtain three
dimensions on a sheet.
This is the manner images can be visualized, it is realized with different techniques: firstly
a 2D image, drawn from side to side and projected into the space with its three coordinates
(X, Y, Z) and finally, for a more real-looking effect, texture, lighting and shadows are
added (See image N° 4)
An object’s graphical representation in the space is an important phase in the creation of
digital 3D, that is to say, virtual images created with specialized computing programs, to
which the user provide the information referred to the object’s design with the purpose of
reconstructing and even modifying it, besides the inclusion of lighting, texture, sound and
rotation.
Currently, we can appreciate different images that show the advantages of the virtual world
and their application within Criminalistics and Forensic Sciences. These improvements and
innovations allow the possibility of being more accurate and realists at the moment of
reconstructing a crime scene. The former corresponds just to a reference of the infinity of
this world and its projection to the future. (See image N°5)
- Technological trend
Nowadays, there are a plenty of programs that make possible the 3D elaboration of many
objects, places and people. Many of these are applied in the area of Construction, other in
Graphic Design, Virtual Animation, the former can be employed in television, movies, and
others related to the Scientific Investigation field (See image N° 6)
Some 3D creators have seen the need of developing applications that can be adapted to
determined matters, such as the programs designed to Forensic Animation (e.g. Vista FX
3), which was acquired by the Attorney General’s Office of the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela in year 2009.
Many other programs in the current market are promoted by police and investigation
bodies, in order to contribute to the justice regarding the analysis and comprehension of
facts. (Autocad, Aras360; Virtual Crash, etc. (See image N° 7)
- Studied Cases
Before analyzing some relevant cases that have been studied and reconstructed by us, it is
important to define the possible uses 3D programs might have, thus we’ll take into account
the experience obtained at the Attorney General’s Direction of Technical-Scientific
Consultancy and Investigations in the last 3 years.
First and foremost, there are cases that require a virtual reconstruction, that is to say, there
is the need to 3D reenact of the scene. Additionally, the dynamic of the event must be
developed, which means the chronological sequence and animation of individuals and
objects, besides the elements located in the crime scene. This involves the virtual Crime
Scene Reconstruction.
There are cases in which it is only possible to do an unanimated reconstruction of the scene
like in planimetric surveys, in order to provide the location of objects or people related to
the criminal offense. This process stands as a visual reference and it is virtually shown for
providing more realism to the crime scene, this highlights the planimetric drawing and
improves the appreciation of the facts.
Furthermore, it is also possible the 3D reconstruction of intraorganic trajectories in victims
of cases in which there were many wounded individuals by firearms and which Autopsy’s
protocol or medical Assessment is already known. These designs allow the projection and
inclination of projectiles trajectories; in this way it is possible to examine the location of the
possible fire origin. Victim and victimizer are seen in a virtual scene at the moment the
crime took place.
Other relevant cases that are appropriate to be reconstructed correspond to car accidents,
since they correspond to situation in which there is the presence of a dynamic relation
among the objects, values are able to be evaluated during the development of the events, by
taking into consideration the application of the laws of matter to know the truth. In this
regard, 3D software makes possible the virtual elaboration of the place of incidence, the
manner it really happened, with the precise measures, inclination, as well as the location of
the damages of the vehicles and other relevant elements: conditions of the route, lighting
and car functioning.
This paper is focused in 3D Reconstruction of the Crime Scene, being this the place with all
its elements and evidences, such as: victim’s corpses, firearms, shells, projectiles, blood,
fingerprints, marks, etc. The aforementioned refers to 3D Planimetric Survey.
The cases below were analyzed and reconstructed with the program Vista FX3:
Case N° 1, Firearm Murder. This consists of a situation in which some policemen
murdered a trader by simulating a confrontation caused by a kidnapping; notwithstanding,
this fact is distorted through many elements that were exposed during the trial and which
were confirmed through the virtual reconstruction. Once the case was analyzed, it started
the collection of information from the crime scene, as well as the elaboration of the 3D
scene. Firstly, it was required to project the real dimensions of the place to subsequently
include them manually. Secondly, the scene is measured and developed jointly with all its
objects and elements. Thirdly, color and texture were added to some objects, projectiles
trajectories were also defined, as well as the precise location of evidences and elements of
criminalistics relevance. Finally, infographics are prepared and extracted from some
specific moments, in order to articulate the final video that was later delivered and
presented in audience.
Case N° 2, Car accident. This case is related to a woman who suffered multiple wounds,
after being crushed by a public transport vehicle. This event took place at a downtown
avenue in Caracas. In order to reconstruct the scene it was firstly required to know and
evaluate the sketch prepared by authorities. Secondly, measures were projected into the
virtual world, by designing the place in wish the accident took place, considering every
detail related to the roads’ system and traffic regulations. Finally, the related elements were
inserted ─vehicle, victim─ exposing, in this way, some important measures for the
determination of responsibilities.
Case N° 3, Intraorganic Trajectory. This concerns a case in which the intraorganic
trajectory is realized on a person who was wound by a projectile shot by a firearm. This
situation took place in Maracaibo, Zulia state, and the suspected individuals belong to a
National Investigation Body. In order to represent the case, a standard image contained in
the software was used, and was later fixed by adding texture, color and the points that were
injured. This process is supported by the information contained in the Autopsy’s Protocol.
- Results
The three aforementioned cases were virtually reconstructed with the purpose of providing
consultancy and technical scientific support to the Attorney General’s Office
representative. Therefore, real names and locations will not be mentioned in this paper.
Something important to mention is that every case was worked with the Forensic Vista FX3
Animation Software, which license’s acquisition by the Attorney General’s Office is aimed
to the virtual reconstruction of a crime scene, in order to allow the entire visualization of
the objects, individuals, elements, evidences, locations and dimensions. The
aforementioned will provide a clear view of all the circumstances that took place.
In this regard, the inclusion of 3D reconstruction and its presentation in a trial of Case N° 1,
helped in the search of truth and justice, obtaining a positive result for the Attorney
General’s Office that consisted of the determination of the criminal liability of five (5)
individuals, who were condemned to 23 years of jail, Police Commissioner to 20 years,
driver´s boss and 3 policemen to 10 years.
In Case N° 2, 3D reconstruction allowed the Attorney to make a decision regarding
prequalification in order to pursue with the trial with a clearer view of the real
circumstances of the criminal offense.
Finally, the employment of 3D images of the intraorganic trajectory in Case N° 3 showed
the projectile’s direction throughout its route within the victim’s body, as well as the
possible position the shooter or victimizer had at the moment the gunshot was produced,
the former is related with three points that determine the trajectory. The first one
corresponds to muzzle of the firearm, the second concerns the wound or point of entry and
the third one to the point of exit the projectile had. This representation allows the evaluation
of the victim’s position regarding the victimizer and other elements: victim’s known height
and position, angular projection of the trajectories, characteristics of the wounds produced
by the projectile, besides other wounds related to their position at the place. The
aforementioned contributed in this investigation with a more certain victimizer’s location.
- Proposal
Technology is part of our daily life, as an evolving society, we are closer to automatization,
to see the world in a virtual way from movies, videogames to vehicles, that is to say, in
almost everything. Consequently, due to the advances that make us more computer-
dependents, we have an environment in which even our work is easier. Computers allow
the reenactment of human and real life.
What is our proposal? This paper is aimed to lead the attention regarding the development
of this sort of procedures within the country, that is to say, the employment of the 3D tool
in the Venezuelan System of Justice. To some people it may sound as a taboo or something
complex and to others something that is not objective or at the best something innovative.
Notwithstanding, our experience confirmed it is a very important support tool during a
trial, since it portrays in a special way the case and it shows the crime scene and bring the
opportunity to go through it. The last by giving a look to all the spaces and evaluation the
events, as well as verifying distances, trajectories and the location-formation relation the
evidences have regarding the sequence of events. The aforementioned information can be
known and assessed through virtual reconstruction, which makes possible the
understanding of logic and reality of what took place.
In the future nearby, there is the aspiration that authorities would legislate based on the
virtual reconstruction like Planimetric Survey, but in 3D, since all the considerations
applied in technical drawing are included at the moment of preparing a tridimensional
crime scene, scales, measures, formulas, proportions, distances, lighting, etc. The
presentation concerns the unique aspect of distinction. In this regard, it is also possible to
present a series of 3D images from a particular moment, a detail, a partial ort a complete
video that reenact the events, in the way they took place in real. The last is related to the
animated reconstruction of an event, a topic that can be discussed in a future paper.
References:
1.- Enciclopédia CCI Criminalística, Criminologia e Investigación, Tomo I Criminalística. Pag. 218). (1)
2.- http://www.peliculastodas.com/criminologia-y-cine/planimetria-forense/
3.- http://www.slideshare.net/FHEDRA/94209752-historiadeldibujo
Images:
N° 1
N° 2
CAVES PAINTINGS
PLANIMETRIC SURVEY
CAVES PAINTINGS
N° 3
N° 4
3D PROJECTION IN 2D SURFACE
3D MODEL CREATION WITH TEXTURE AND LIGHTING
N° 5
ADVANCES IN 3D CRIME SCENE RECONSTRUCTION
N° 6
3D MAX STUDIO AUTOCAD CINEMA 4D
CARRARA STUDIO MAYA POSER
BLENDER SKETCHUP BRYCE
RHINO
SOME 3D SOFTWARE
N° 7
AUTOCAD
ARAS 360
VIRTUAL
CRASH
3D SOFTWARE ADAPTED TO CRIMINALISTICS
N° 8
CASE N° 1
CASE N° 2
CASE N° 3
MURDER
(with firearm)
CAR ACCIDENT
(woman crushed
INTRAORGANIC
TRAJECTORY
(firearm wound)
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