How the Traffic Police uses 3D laser scanners to create digital models of accident scenes to boost accuracy, minimise road disruptions and enhance investigations.
By: Christabelle Lim
To bolster the effectiveness of traffic accident investigations, the Traffic Police (TP) and Crime Scene Specialists from the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) have adopted 3D laser scanning technology. The 3D laser scanner utilises LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to create precise, virtual 3D models of accident scenes.
By emitting laser pulses to capture detailed spatial data, the scanner reduces the need for prolonged road closures and facilitates accurate evidence documentation, aiding officers in reconstructing accident scenes with exceptional precision. The technology is used about 70 times annually, particularly for serious and fatal accidents.
Ms Nur Rashidah, a Crime Scene Specialist with Central Police Division, highlights how the 3D laser scanner enhances traffic accident investigations: “It creates a detailed digital model of the accident scene, enabling us to appreciate spatial distances between evidence. This helps us piece together complex incidents more effectively, ultimately leading to more thorough investigations and, we hope, safer roads for everyone.”
Senior Staff Sergeant (SSSgt) Roizman Bin Mohamed Posari from the TP’s Fatal Accident Investigation Team describes the scanner as a “game changer” in their work: “Instead of relying solely on photos and sketches, we now have a complete digital twin of the scene that we can examine from any angle, at any time. It’s like being able to return to the accident scene whenever we need to, without disrupting traffic or worrying about evidence degrading over time.”
Such digital reconstructions can even aid witness and suspect interviews, helping to clarify details by revisiting the scene virtually.
HTX plans to expand the 3D scanning capabilities further by exploring smart 3D scanners that could enable automated scanning for large-scale scenes. This commitment to innovation aligns with TP’s mission to refine investigation processes and ensure safer roads across Singapore.
Through the power of 3D scanning technology, TP and HTX demonstrate the role of advanced tools in enhancing safety and operational effectiveness in Singapore’s traffic enforcement efforts.
Watch the SPF Tech explainer here!
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