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)