The reconstruction program has pursued new technology aggressively over the past seven years. New technology has become available to make the reconstruction specialist's job easier, faster, more accurate, and safer. New technologies implemented include the use of the Total Station as part of a Forensic Mapping System for the recording of evidence, the use of computers for analysis, and the use of 3-dimensional animation for court presentation.

Total Station

The total station is a combination of an Electronic Distance Measuring Instrument (EDMI) and a theodolite. The total station can be set up off the roadway. Evidence is located by an investigator holding a pole with a prism over a location of evidence. The instrument is focused on the prism and the operator takes a 'shot' by pressing a button on the data collector. An infrared beam is emitted at the prism and is reflected back to the instrument. The operator then enters a code for the specific 'shot' and the investigator with the pole moves to another evidence location, and the process continues. The data collector records the distance, angle and elevation for each 'shot'.

MSP has purchased the Sokkia Set 5E total stations with the Sokkia SDR-33 data collector. This model of total station is accurate to 1/8 inch over a quarter mile for distance measurements. This is more accurate than using a tape and eliminates the possibility of transposing numbers while recording measurements. Reconstruction specialists are using Microsurvey's Mapscenes as their drawing software. Crash and crime scenes are measured using the total station and, when completed, the data is downloaded to the laptop computer and the map software. This allows the reconstruction specialist to review the data collected, ensuring that all necessary data is collected and documented before leaving the scene. Once back at the office, the drawing is downloaded into the CAD software for completion.

Studies conducted by the states of Washington and Kentucky determined that use of the total station for measuring crash scenes allowed the officers to record one-third more data points in about half the time it took to measure by hand. Typically, using the total station saves between 1 and 2 hours of measuring time per accident. In addition to the time-savings in measurement, the crash scene is safer for the officer and has less traffic congestion and fewer road closures. Also, considerable time is saved in completion of the scale diagram as compared to drawing it by hand. The final result is a reconstruction that is based on more accurate measurements and scale diagram and which takes less time to complete.

Forensic Mapping System

Once the reconstructionist has completed the investigation, testimony in court is the next step. Reconstruction cases can be difficult to describe to a jury and, depending on the individual case, can be highly technical in nature. The reconstructionist must explain the situation observed at the scene, how and when the data was collected, as well as the methodology used to draw conclusions and opinions about the crash. During court testimony, a scale diagram of the scene is used to assist the jury in understanding the events that occurred.

New computer technology has allowed the reconstructionist to take court testimony one step further with the ability to create a 3-dimensional animation of the crash sequence. 3-D animation is nothing more than taking the completed reconstruction and transforming it into a moving picture.

Animations have been used for several years by private firms; however, the cost of creating animations is extremely expensive. The Michigan Department of State Police recognized a need for computer animation to assist our department with criminal investigations and to also assist other departments in their investigations at no charge. Having this technology available to all departments throughout the state gives smaller departments that could not possibly afford the software and training access to state-of-the-art technology.

The Michigan Department of State Police has been using 3-D animation in their investigations since 1995. Since MSP was the first law enforcement agency in Michigan to use computer animation in traffic crashes, certain precedents had to be established. The number one precedent was to get the animation itself admitted into court as evidence.

To get admitted, the reconstructionist not only has to be accepted as an expert in accident reconstruction, but also as an expert in computer animation. Once accepted as an expert witness, the reconstructionist has to explain the way in which the animation was created and how the scene evidence was incorporated into the animation. Everything seen in the animation has been calculated and documented by the reconstruction itself, then put into motion and placed onto a video tape for viewing. Various camera positions can be chosen to give a complete look at the dynamics of the crash.

MSP received their first conviction using computer animation in July 1995 and several more convictions have followed. The animation is the concluding piece, one that ties all the evidence, photographs, diagrams, opinions, and conclusions together into one motion picture of how the crash occurred.

3-Dimensional Animation

Once the reconstructionist has completed the investigation, testimony in court is the next step. Reconstruction cases can be difficult to describe to a jury and, depending on the individual case, can be highly technical in nature. The reconstructionist must explain the situation observed at the scene, how and when the data was collected, as well as the methodology used to draw conclusions and opinions about the crash. During court testimony, a scale diagram of the scene is used to assist the jury in understanding the events that occurred.

New computer technology has allowed the reconstructionist to take court testimony one step further with the ability to create a 3-dimensional animation of the crash sequence. 3-D animation is nothing more than taking the completed reconstruction and transforming it into a moving picture.

Animations have been used for several years by private firms; however, the cost of creating animations is extremely expensive. The Michigan Department of State Police recognized a need for computer animation to assist our department with criminal investigations and to also assist other departments in their investigations at no charge. Having this technology available to all departments throughout the state gives smaller departments that could not possibly afford the software and training access to state-of-the-art technology.

The Michigan Department of State Police has been using 3-D animation in their investigations since 1995. Since MSP was the first law enforcement agency in Michigan to use computer animation in traffic crashes, certain precedents had to be established. The number one precedent was to get the animation itself admitted into court as evidence.

To get admitted, the reconstructionist not only has to be accepted as an expert in accident reconstruction, but also as an expert in computer animation. Once accepted as an expert witness, the reconstructionist has to explain the way in which the animation was created and how the scene evidence was incorporated into the animation. Everything seen in the animation has been calculated and documented by the reconstruction itself, then put into motion and placed onto a video tape for viewing. Various camera positions can be chosen to give a complete look at the dynamics of the crash.

MSP received their first conviction using computer animation in July 1995 and several more convictions have followed. The animation is the concluding piece, one that ties all the evidence, photographs, diagrams, opinions, and conclusions together into one motion picture of how the crash occurred.