Various imaging modalities are evaluated for use in forensic incident (crime or accident) scene documentation. Particular attention is paid to the precision vs. cost tradeoff, accomplished by judiciously combining various 3D scans and photogrammetric reconstructions from 2D photographs. Assumptions are proposed for two complementary software systems: an event scene pilot assisting the on-site staff in their work securing evidence and facilitating their communication with stationary support staff, and an evidence keeper, managing the voluminous and varied database of accumulated imagery, textual notes and physical evidence inventory.
Keywords: 3D imaging; crime scene documentation; forensic science; large scale data handling.