Terrestrial laser scanning is a cutting edge surveying technique capable of providing vast amounts of highly accurate 3D data of an incident scene or other real life entities quickly and efficiently. The survey yield has applications in:
• Mining
• Architecture
• Civil engineering
• Crash or incident investigation

The survey yield (or dense ‘point cloud’) provides detailed information on dimensions and (if desired) the colour of real life objects or the environment. Each point in the ‘point cloud’ represents a coordinate in 3D space.

Point cluster data sets of one object or of a scene surveyed from different locations and angles can be combined to generate detailed and accurate 3D models of the whole object or scene. Data can also be exported to 3D packages for rendering to produce advanced animations.

When used for incident investigation the scanned data can record the scene of an incident including vehicle damage, tyre marks and environmental scars. The resulting collision analysis allows for the identification of possible causes of the incident and the sequence of events leading up to and immediately following the event.

Some of the benefits of laser scanning are a reduction in the number of persons required at the incident scene, the number of trips made to the site and the superior amount of data that is captured when compared to traditional surveying techniques. Laser scanning can also help to diminish exposure to project risk and reduce costs by providing the client with concise and detailed knowledge of the site or scene in an ‘as is’ scan. It improves efficiency and reduces costly and time consuming mistakes.

Contact Olpac for more information on the use of terrestrial laser scanning in the investigation of vehicle or workplace related incidents.