J Forensic Sci, January 2015, Vol. 60, No. 1 doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12565 Available online at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com
TECHNICAL NOTE DIGITAL & MULTIMEDIA SCIENCES
Higinio Gonz alez-Jorge,1 Ph.D.; Sandra Zancajo,2 M.Sc.; Diego Gonz alez-Aguilera,2 Ph.D.; and Pedro Arias,1 Ph.D.
Application of Kinect Gaming Sensor in Forensic Science*
ABSTRACT: Kinect sensor appears as a low-cost option for 3D modeling. This manuscript describes a methodology to test the applicability
of Kinect to crime scenes. The methodology includes the comparison versus well-established scanners (Faro and Trimble). The parameters used for the comparison are the quality in the fitting of primitives, a qualitative evaluation of facial data, the data quality for different ranges, and the accuracy in the measurement of different lengths. The results show that the Kinect noise level increases with range, from 5 mm at 1.5 m range to 15 mm at 3 m range. It is considered that for detail measurements the sensor must be placed close to the target. A general measurement of a sample crime scene was analyzed. Errors in length measurements are between 2% and 10% for 3 m range. The measurement range must be limited to c. 3 m.
KEYWORDS: forensic science, laser scanner, gaming sensors, crime scene, Kinect, photogrammetry Metrology is the science of measurement, and it is applied to forensic science as forensic metrology. Forensic and criminalistics laboratories perform numerous measurements to support both criminal and legal actions. Some examples are the measurement of the presence of a substance (e.g. cocaine, alcohol), DNA analysis, or crime scene measurements. Crime scene measurements are typically performed using tapes, scale bars and photographs, especially for small distances (victim body, gun, and bullet), and topographic instrumentation as electro-distance measurement indicators, total stations, and levels for longer lengths (room of the crime, bullet trajectory, car accident trajectory). During the last years, more technological instruments are being used that usually consist of photogrammetry and laser scanning and allow obtaining an accurate representation of the crime scene (1,2). In addition, the information is completely digitalized in 3D coordinates (point clouds) and CAD programs can be used to complete the research process of the crime. Laser scanners used in the surveying of crime scenes are typically divided in two types, terrestrial laser scanners (3) and triangulation scanners (4–6). The terrestrial laser scanners are used for medium ranges (2–100 m) and intermediate accuracy (around 1 cm), while the triangulation scanners are preferred for short ranges (
TECHNICAL NOTE DIGITAL & MULTIMEDIA SCIENCES
Higinio Gonz alez-Jorge,1 Ph.D.; Sandra Zancajo,2 M.Sc.; Diego Gonz alez-Aguilera,2 Ph.D.; and Pedro Arias,1 Ph.D.
Application of Kinect Gaming Sensor in Forensic Science*
ABSTRACT: Kinect sensor appears as a low-cost option for 3D modeling. This manuscript describes a methodology to test the applicability
of Kinect to crime scenes. The methodology includes the comparison versus well-established scanners (Faro and Trimble). The parameters used for the comparison are the quality in the fitting of primitives, a qualitative evaluation of facial data, the data quality for different ranges, and the accuracy in the measurement of different lengths. The results show that the Kinect noise level increases with range, from 5 mm at 1.5 m range to 15 mm at 3 m range. It is considered that for detail measurements the sensor must be placed close to the target. A general measurement of a sample crime scene was analyzed. Errors in length measurements are between 2% and 10% for 3 m range. The measurement range must be limited to c. 3 m.
KEYWORDS: forensic science, laser scanner, gaming sensors, crime scene, Kinect, photogrammetry Metrology is the science of measurement, and it is applied to forensic science as forensic metrology. Forensic and criminalistics laboratories perform numerous measurements to support both criminal and legal actions. Some examples are the measurement of the presence of a substance (e.g. cocaine, alcohol), DNA analysis, or crime scene measurements. Crime scene measurements are typically performed using tapes, scale bars and photographs, especially for small distances (victim body, gun, and bullet), and topographic instrumentation as electro-distance measurement indicators, total stations, and levels for longer lengths (room of the crime, bullet trajectory, car accident trajectory). During the last years, more technological instruments are being used that usually consist of photogrammetry and laser scanning and allow obtaining an accurate representation of the crime scene (1,2). In addition, the information is completely digitalized in 3D coordinates (point clouds) and CAD programs can be used to complete the research process of the crime. Laser scanners used in the surveying of crime scenes are typically divided in two types, terrestrial laser scanners (3) and triangulation scanners (4–6). The terrestrial laser scanners are used for medium ranges (2–100 m) and intermediate accuracy (around 1 cm), while the triangulation scanners are preferred for short ranges (
