|
Early this year I was approached by members of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences to support the formation of a new section dealing with forensic informatics. Specifically computer science-digital evidence.
In February, at the 57th annual meeting in New Orleans, the section was put forward and accepted. The initial stages are over and plans for the next steps are in progress.
We are excited to be a pioneer in this effort. New technology is forging ahead faster than ever and it is within reason to establish a body that represents the needs of data integrity.
Manufacturers that supply software to capture evidence in digital format have a responsibility to automatically log changes so others can be aware if they are in fact dealing with original or altered data. The software user also has a responsibility to develop a standard protocol, understand what limitations are present, and to remain within their area of expertise.
This simply reinforces the chain of custody. MapScenes and Evidence Recorder contain all the tools you need to set your protocol to back up the accuracy of the representation that has been created, and how that evidence has been handled. If asked about the validity of it, proving it will not be your greatest challenge.
I hope when all the steps have been completed, you will consider becoming a member and support this section with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Susan Bracchi
Henry Widdows
MapScenes Manager
Email: henry.widdows@mapscenes.com
2005 MapScenes Conference
June 5-6, 2005
Palace Station Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, NV
The MapScenes Conference Introducing the new MapScenes PRO 2006 and Evidence Recorder 3.0 programs is getting closer. If you haven't signed up yet do so today as space is filling fast!
Join us for training, demonstrations and interactive discussions on all the new features.
In attendance will be MicroSurvey President and CEO, Darcy Detlor; MapScenes Manager, Susan Bracchi and MicroSurvey Director of Product Development, Jason Poitras.
For more information on topics, instructors, events schedule, special rates and how to win the new programs with a MicroSurvey Tracker, or call Susan Bracchi at 1.800.668.3312.
Don't miss out on this valuable event. We'll see you in Las Vegas!
>> More information and specs on the Tracker
NOTE: The last day to make reservations at the Palace Station and get the special conference rate is May 5, 2005.
In this article, we will examine the use of a common datum to map a large-scale scene using multiple instruments simultaneously, with the intent to place all the mapped points and linework into a single CAD drawing. As with past articles on this topic, it should be noted that this series is intended to be informative rather than instructional, as there are additional considerations posed by these methods which must be addressed prior to actual field use. Additionally, while all true data collection platforms are capable of these procedures – including the SDR33 and modern total stations with onboard data collection – for the purpose of this series we will focus on the operation of Evidence Recorder Pro.
Mapping a very large scene with a single instrument can be a challenge, both procedurally and in terms of the time required to complete the job. Since few locations offer unobstructed line of sight from a single reference point to all points which must be mapped, the only alternative in this situation is to make multiple moves with the instrument, collecting evidence points along the way. For those fortunate enough to have access to more than one total station, the ability to collect evidence points from multiple reference points simultaneously may provide a solution
There are two key issues presented by using multiple instruments at a scene. The first, as we know from the point of this series, is establishing a common datum to be used by all instruments. This will result in the coordinates of every mapped point being in correct relation to all other mapped points, regardless of which instrument was used to measure it. The first instrument at the scene would establish the datum (i.e., setup and backsight) in the same manner as any other scene, and proceed to map as usual until the arrival of additional instrument(s). So, it would actually be more correct to say that the issue is transferring the datum to the second and subsequent instruments from the first.
... continued
 - Feature Link | 232 KB
MapScenes Conference 2005 - An Introducion to MapScenes Pro 2006 and Evidence Recorder 3.0
June 5 - 6
Las Vegas, NV |
Blue Line Trade Show 2005
Canada's National Law Enforcement & Emergency Response Trade Show
April 26 and 27
LeParc Conference Center 8432
Leslie Street Markham, ON
www.blueline.ca/tradeshow |
Special Problems in Traffic Crash Reconstruction IPTM
April 25-29
Jacksonville, FL
Topics Include: Drag Sleds Staged Collision Commercial Motor Vehicle Breakouts Vault Validation And more.
www.iptm.org |
The ARC-CSI Crash Conference
June 7-10
Palace Station Hotel and Casino
2411 West Sahara Avenue
Las Vegas, NV
Live Crash Testing with Rusty Haight and Brad Muir (mapping by the MapScenes Crew) Pedestrians Pile Ups Commercial Vehicle EDR CDR System Update. www.crashconferences.com |
SATAI
Summer Conference
July 15-16
Phoenix, AZ
Crush Analysis.
www.satai.com |
SCARS
July 24- 28
The Clarion, North Charleston, SC
The speakers for the conference include but are not limited to:
Rusty Haight for crash testing
Jeff Muttart for human factors
Mike Reade for pedestrian crashes
John Daily for narrow object impacts
John Meserve for insurance fraud investigations
Steve Breland and David Hill for conducting mechanical examinations. |
2005 NATARI Joint Conference with MdATAI, NAPARS, NJAAR, NYSTARS
October 3-8,
Wyndham Hotel
Wilmington, DE
More info coming soon
www.natari.org |
COPSWEST
October 11- 12
Ontario, CA
More info coming soon! Check mapscenes.com for updates. |
IARRS
More info coming soon! Check mapscenes.com for updates. |
| IATAI
September 19-21
The conference hotel will be the Hilton Garden Inn in Springfield, IL The planned topic for this years conference will be PEDESTRIANS. In conjunction with the conference, the Collision Safety Institute will be holding a CDR certification class Septembner 16-18, and a 1 day CDR Refresher Class September 22. Please see the CSI site for further information.
www.iatai.org |
|
MapScenes is the official conference mapping team for
conference crashes performed by
|
" Building and viewing 3-D symbols or models of the actual vehicles involved in a crash can be done simply and accurately.
By taking a laptop computer and projector to court we can take everyone in the courtroom on a virtual trip to the scene without ever leaving the building. "
Walter W. Johnson
Police Officer /
Accident Reconstructionist
Kansas City Police Department
Kansas City, Missouri
Archived Newsletters
MapScenes
Home
 |
MapScenes Training |
April 4-8
Anne Arundel Community College, Arundel Mills - Hanover, MD
CONTACT | Greg Russell : aa.recon@verizon.net
PHONE | (443) 889-3657
April 4
San Jose Police Department - San Jose, CA
INSTRUCTOR | Steve Gatterman
CONTACT | Steve Gatterman : cisolutions@comcast.net
PHONE | (888) 272-8088
April 5-7
San Jose Police Department - San Jose, CA
INSTRUCTOR | Steve Gatterman
CONTACT | Steve Gatterman : cisolutions@comcast.net
PHONE | (888) 272-8088
April 11-15
SOKKIA Headquarters & Forensic Training Center - 0lathe, KS INSTRUCTOR | Steve McKinzie
CONTACT | Steve McKinzie - Rhonda McKinzie : rjmck@rsmck.com
PHONE | (877) 851-5831
May 17-19
Des Moines Police Department - Des Moines, WA
INSTRUCTOR | Steve Gatterman
CONTACT | Steve Gatterman : cisolutions@comcast.net
PHONE | (888) 272-8088
MapScenes Conference 2005 - An Introducion to MapScenes Pro 2006 and Evidence Recorder 3.0
June 5 - 6
Palace Station Hotel and Casino - Las Vegas, NV
INSTRUCTORS | Jason Poitras - Director of Product Development
Request a MapScenes Class
Would you like to host a MapScenes class in your area? If you have a training facility that holds 10 or more you can host a class that is open to LE agencies and reduce your training costs.
Just click here and let us know what you need and how to contact you. Basic, Intermediate, Advanced? MapScenes Pro only or Evidence Recorder too.
|
Training Updates |
College Station Police Department hosted a 5 day MapScenes class in January. 40 students participated in the instruction of Steve McKinzie, Doug Barlett and Bill Johnson of CSI Mapping, a Division of McKinzie and Associates.
Congratulations to those completing a grueling 5 day Forensic Mapping and MapScenes CAD Class in Scottsburg, Indiana from February 28 – March 04, 2005. Various agencies attended the class. Agencies represented were the Scott County and Marshall County Indiana Sheriffs Departments, Blue Ash, Ohio P.D., Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, Canada , and the Louisville , KY Police Department.
The main components of the class included MapScenes Pro for the desktop; and Evidence Recorder Pro loaded on an MS Tracker data collector connected to the new Sokkia 530R3 and Sokkia 530R total stations.
Doug Barlet of CSI Mapping instructed the class with special emphasis on scene diagramming and map validation.
|
Dealer Updates |
MapScenes is pleased to announce our new Authorized Dealers.
US
- Topcon California |
- Hixon Manufacturing |
International
- BioMetrics |
- MEDITRONIK d.o.o. |
Dealers
|
Customer Updates |
Collision Forensic Solutions provided a week long MapScenes Training course in Bismarck, North Dakota for the North Dakota Highway Patrol Feb 7-11. The following week "certified" training was provided for Leica Total Stations.
The training instructors for the two week courses were Mike Selves of Collision Forensic Solutions, and Don Schmalzbauer of Forensic Reconstruction Services.
The training went excellent with a class of nine troopers attending from across the state of North Dakota. Their efforts will undoubtedly produce professional results in all their forensic mapping endeavors. CFS and FRS give a special Thank You to Major Nelson and staff and the training academy staff for all their assistance and hospitality throughout the two weeks.
MapScenes success continues...
The MapScenes Pro / Evidence Recorder Solution is the choice of professionals for their forensic mapping needs.
Go here for a partial list of recent customers that have augmented their current implementations with MapScenes software/hardware, switched to MapScenes from other programs, or simply selected MapScenes as their standard.
|
User Tips |
ESEL Command
 |
We Want to Hear from You |
- Tell us what is on your feature wish list.
- Would you like to be featured in our newsletter.
- Do you have an interesting map or photo to share.
- Did we do something right?
- Tell us what you think.
info@mapscenes.com
|
Just a few More... |
ATF practice exercise in March to get up to speed with their MicroSurvey Trackers... First they blow it up... then they map it.
No April Fools here... A fortunate driver walks away from a morning incident that occured across from MicroSurvey Corporate headquaters.
|
Discuss
MapScenes with other Users at our Yahoo Group |
Exclusively for MPS clients Yahoo.com hosts a free User's Forum for MapScenes and Evidence Recorder software.
Exchange ideas, uses, tips and tricks, and receive assistance and advice from other users of MapScenes software.
MapScenes Pro Yahoo Group
(The group does not attempt to replace the Standard or VIP MapScenes Support Plans.)
|
|
