Crash scene in Knox County
Assistant Chief Bobby Jones was called in to assist investigators with mapping a fatal crash scene. Jones arrived on the scene at approximately 2:10 p.m. Preliminary photographs of the entire scene were taken, prior to taking field measurements. Jones then proceeded to set up his LTI QuickMap 3D (QM3D) mapping system and began taking measurements of vehicle positions, skid marks and surrounding landmarks to obtain a point of reference.
The mapping system included an LTI UltraLyte 200 speed laser, an Angle Encoder (AE) and data collector. Combined, it measures distances, heights and horizontal angles. This enabled Jones to set up one control point and remotely measure all the aspects of the scene.
The QM3D field software offers 3 mapping methods: baseline offset, range/range triangulation, and radial with angle - the most efficient method (requires the AE). Jones collected 110 data points and was able to map the entire scene by 2:54 p.m. Prior to leaving the scene, Jones downloaded the collected data to his laptop with CrashZone's diagramming software to ensure a successful transfer.
He then returned to his office and began reconstructing the crash scene at 3:19 p.m. If Jones had used a pencil and clipboard to record the
"With LTI's QuickMap 3D, I was able to map and reconstruct a 100-point crash scene in less than 2.2 hours."
measurements of the scene, it would have taken him hours, having to recreate all the points in the CAD program. By transferring all the data points electronically, it took Jones less than 30 minutes to manipulate the CAD file into courtroom-ready diagrams.
At approximately 4:22 p.m., Jones completed his summary report and a preliminary speed analysis. "I was amazed when I noticed the time, after completing the diagrams. With LTI's QuickMap 3D, I was able to map and reconstruct a 110-point crash scene in less than 2.2 hours," Bobby Jones explains. "The QuickMap 3D software is easy to use and adapts to any scene because you can choose among three different mapping techniques."
The latest version of QM3D software now runs on a Pocket PC platform. Investigators can now collect data on a TDS Recon, which is considered one of the most rugged handheld computers on today’s market.
Hundreds of departments have replaced the tape wheel and clipboard with LTI's QM3D system. It has proven to save time in the field and the office, in comparison to the conventional tape wheel and clipboard.
LTI offers complete mapping packages, including CadZone's desktop diagramming software and TDS Recon data collectors.
Tech Tip on the Angle Encoder
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