Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Discuss all Forensics & CSI related issues here.
Post Reply
User avatar
3DForensics
Honorary Member
Honorary Member
Posts: 1979
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:52 am
14
Full Name: Eugene Liscio
Company Details: AI2-3D Forensics
Company Position Title: Owner
Skype Name: eliscio
Location: Toronto, Canada
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 70 times
Contact:

Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by 3DForensics »

Very pleased to have another paper published in the Journal of Forensic Science with Monique Johnson!

Suspect Height Estimation with Laser Scanner

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 9/abstract

Cheers All,

Eugene


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
User avatar
colhum1
V.I.P Member
V.I.P Member
Posts: 456
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 3:10 pm
11
Full Name: Colin Humphreys
Company Details: Warwickshire Police
Company Position Title: Forensic Collision Investigator
Country: UK
Skype Name: col.humphreys
Linkedin Profile: Yes
Location: Rugby

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by colhum1 »

Congratulations Eugene (& Monique :D ).

Its research such as this that will help dispel myths amongst lawyers in the courtroom with regards to laser scanning technology

...which incidently was recently described to me by our Crown Prosecution Service as modern day magic :lol:

Colin
"Just leave me alone. I know what I am doing" - Kimi Räikkönen
wgrimes
V.I.P Member
V.I.P Member
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 5:54 pm
10
Full Name: Wesley Grimes
Company Details: Collision Engineering Associates Inc.
Company Position Title: President - engineer
Country: USA
Linkedin Profile: No
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by wgrimes »

Thanks for the research. This is not an area where I play (getting height from video)....but anything showing the scientific validity of scanning technology is a benefit to all of us....and who knows, maybe someday I'll need to figure out how tall a Peterbilt is that goes by a video camera. I can use this as a reference!!!

Wes
User avatar
3DForensics
Honorary Member
Honorary Member
Posts: 1979
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:52 am
14
Full Name: Eugene Liscio
Company Details: AI2-3D Forensics
Company Position Title: Owner
Skype Name: eliscio
Location: Toronto, Canada
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 70 times
Contact:

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by 3DForensics »

Modern Day Magic! Well, I guess that makes us all sorcerers!

Wes,

Not too long ago I was asked by a police agency for some information on suspect height analysis using the tool. There are many factors in our study that could be tested, but ultimately I think it shows once again that the laser scanner is a versatile tool for a few different applications (regardless of brand). It all starts with good documentation...

Cheers,

Eugene


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
wgrimes
V.I.P Member
V.I.P Member
Posts: 176
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 5:54 pm
10
Full Name: Wesley Grimes
Company Details: Collision Engineering Associates Inc.
Company Position Title: President - engineer
Country: USA
Linkedin Profile: No
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by wgrimes »

Agreed. I need to get that article and read it. I'm sure I'll learn something.

W
User avatar
3DForensics
Honorary Member
Honorary Member
Posts: 1979
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:52 am
14
Full Name: Eugene Liscio
Company Details: AI2-3D Forensics
Company Position Title: Owner
Skype Name: eliscio
Location: Toronto, Canada
Has thanked: 13 times
Been thanked: 70 times
Contact:

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by 3DForensics »

Guess I will post the Abstract Directly:

ABSTRACT: At present, very little research has been devoted to investigating the ability of laser scanning technology to accurately measure height from surveillance video. The goal of this study was to test the accuracy of one particular laser scanner to estimate suspect height from video footage. The known heights of 10 individuals were measured using an anthropometer. The individuals were then recorded on video walking
along a predetermined path in a simulated crime scene environment both with and without headwear. The difference between the known heights and the estimated heights obtained from the laser scanner software were compared using a one-way t-test. The height estimates obtained from the software were not significantly different from the known heights whether individuals were wearing headwear (p = 0.186) or not (p = 0.707). Thus, laser scanning is one technique that could potentially be used by investigators to determine suspect height from video footage.
DavidL
I have made 90-100 posts
I have made 90-100 posts
Posts: 91
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 1:11 pm
8
Full Name: David Lander
Company Details: Thames Valley Police Authority
Company Position Title: Crime Scene Surveyor
Country: UK
Linkedin Profile: Yes
Has thanked: 19 times
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by DavidL »

Hi, I'd like to put an example together demonstrating suspect height analysis but I'm not sure how to approach it. I have a scene scanned with a CCTV camera in it's unaltered position, I have footage from the camera which shows a person walking around. Now I have some vague ideas in my head about overlaying the still on top of the scan data? ... or maybe inserting the 2D image itself into the scan data?? I don't suppose someone give me an overview of the process (ie correct method/software required). Many thanks
User avatar
Andy H
V.I.P Member
V.I.P Member
Posts: 257
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:38 pm
16
Full Name: Andrew Hunter
Company Details: METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE
Company Position Title: Senior CAMB Manager
Country: United Kingdom
Linkedin Profile: Yes
Location: London
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by Andy H »

There are a number of ways to do it but it's not a easy as it may look. Many factors can play havoc with the results. Being able to qualify your results it's paramount. Especially if it the only evidence being used to convict an individual.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
ocsd163
I have made 10-20 posts
I have made 10-20 posts
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:09 pm
11
Full Name: David J. DeLeeuw
Company Details: Ocean County Sheriffs Office
Company Position Title: Detective Sergeant
Country: USA
Linkedin Profile: No
Contact:

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by ocsd163 »

DavidL wrote:Hi, I'd like to put an example together demonstrating suspect height analysis but I'm not sure how to approach it. I have a scene scanned with a CCTV camera in it's unaltered position, I have footage from the camera which shows a person walking around. Now I have some vague ideas in my head about overlaying the still on top of the scan data? ... or maybe inserting the 2D image itself into the scan data?? I don't suppose someone give me an overview of the process (ie correct method/software required). Many thanks
I'd like to see an overview of the process as well if anyone would be so kind as to share? I've been asked in the past if it's possible to conduct an analysis such as this and would love to be able to afford the ability to do so. The approach seems simple and easy enough.

Nice job Eugene on getting another article published! I always enjoy seeing the capabilities of laser scanning in forensic science exploited to their respective abilities. I look forward to reading it.
Detective Sergeant David J. DeLeeuw
Ocean County Sheriff's Office, NJ
Crime Scene Investigation Unit
User avatar
ddustin
V.I.P Member
V.I.P Member
Posts: 956
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:28 pm
12
Full Name: David Dustin
Company Details: Federal Bureau of Investigations
Company Position Title: Visualization Information Specialist
Country: USA
Linkedin Profile: Yes
Location: Quantico, VA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 11 times
Contact:

Re: Suspect Height Analysis Using Laser Scanner Technology

Post by ddustin »

Sgt. DeLeeuw,
What scanning hardware do you use?

David
Director of Industry Solutions | Public Safety
Post Reply

Return to “Forensics & CSI”