A Systematic Literature Review on the Usage of Digital Photography at Crime Scene Investigation Process

Drones, formally known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are versatile technology increasingly associated with many modern-day applications. The advancements in technology have brought about a revolution in drones, extending their applications in various fields, including forensic science. Despite their potential, the full extent of drone capabilities in forensic science remains unclear and limited by a lack of defined evidence. Therefore, this article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on the use of drones in forensic science, while also highlighting the challenges and limitations of their deployment. This review seeks to identify areas for further research and development in the use of drones in forensic science by exploring the key issues. The use of Arksey and O’Malley’s framework updated by Joanna Briggs Institute for Scoping Reviews methodology shows that drones have proven to be a valuable technology in various forensic-related events, including clandestine graves detection, crime scene investigations, traffic accident investigations, disaster assistance, and pollution detection. However, there is still inadequate information on the use of drones in forensic science, particularly in enhancing the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) procedure during the initial phase of a disaster. Therefore, this paper aims to provide insights into the potential applications of drones in forensic science and promote their integration into related fields.

show abstract

Crime Light Imaging (CLI): A Novel Sensor for Stand-Off Detection and Localization of Forensic Traces

Chiuri,

Chirico,

Angelini

et al. 2023

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Stand-off detection of latent traces avoids the scene alteration that might occur during close inspection by handheld forensic lights. Here, we describe a novel sensor, named Crime Light Imaging (CLI), designed to perform high-resolution photography of targets at a distance of 2–10 m and to visualize some common latent traces. CLI is based on four high-power illumination LEDs and one color CMOS camera with a motorized objective plus frontal filters; the LEDs and camera could be synchronized to obtain short-exposure images weakly dependent on the ambient light. The sensor is integrated into a motorized platform, providing the target scanning and necessary information for 3D scene reconstruction. The whole system is portable and equipped with a user-friendly interface. The preliminary tests of CLI on fingerprints at distance of 7 m showed an excellent image resolution and drastic contrast enhancement under green LED light. At the same distance, a small (1 µL) blood droplet on black tissue was captured by CLI under NIR LED, while a trace from 15 µL semen on white cotton became visible under UV LED illumination. These results represent the first demonstration of true stand-off photography of latent traces, thus opening the way for a completely new approach in crime scene forensic examination.

show abstract

A Systematic Literature Review on the Usage of Digital Photography at Crime Scene Investigation Process

Cited by 3 publications

References 29 publications

Barjeel Aerial Photography Services: A Successful Geospatial Data Acquisition Company

Barjeel Aerial Photography Services: A Successful Geospatial Data Acquisition Company

A scoping review on drone technology applications in forensic science

Crime Light Imaging (CLI): A Novel Sensor for Stand-Off Detection and Localization of Forensic Traces

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About