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Looking back on the crime TV shows and films of the nineties and early noughties, the technology that 'helped' solve the variety of cases each team was tasked with doesn't come anywhere near to the technologies available today. Advanced metrological equipment, which is usually reserved for industrial applications, has now become established tools in the forensics field, with the evidence the tools collect now being used in the courtroom.
Recently, we have come to learn that there is an increasing use of 3D printing solutions in a variety of different legal cases in England and Wales. Of course, each case can be very graphic, so we will keep the details to a minimum.
In these use cases, 3D scanning technology has been utilised to reproduce a piece of key evidence that could sway the outcome of the case in question. In particular, Computed Tomography (CT) solutions have been used to scan a human being to help solve cases like assault. Focusing on this example, a CT scan was completed to create a replica of the victim's skull, which was then 3D printed to exhibit the extent of the skull damage sustained during the attack.
image courtesy of the International Journal of Legal Medicine
In Case Example 7, the Defence decided that it wasn’t necessary to show the 3D-printed skull in court, as they already had enough evidence. However, in Case Example 8, a forensic pathologist who had only seen a CT scan, was able to provide an additional statement on the nature of the damage, as the skull fractures had not been visible externally. When paired with additional evidence, the perpetrator was convicted of attempted murder.
Advanced metrology is applicable in the real world to solve grave issues. The highly advanced instruments, from CT scanners to lasers, especially when paired with 3D printing to produce a tangible, demonstrable piece of evidence, not only provide accurate evidence but also improve the accuracy of the assessment of specialists, such as forensic pathologists.