AURORA, Colo. — The Aurora Police Department has three FARO devices, which essentially can map a scene by creating millions of data points using a laser that is reflected off a rotating mirror.
The device captures hundreds of still images to create a 3D replica of a traffic crash, homicides or a shooting involving officers. Within minutes, it scans the entire scene, creating a computer-generated image. The old method would require a handful of officers to take photographs and measurements by hand.
Once the data is collected, this will allow investigators to take measurements and evidence, such as bullet trajectory, perform blood spatter analysis without the need to go back to the scene.
Kimberly Gilbreath, a crime scene investigator with Aurora Police, said this technology saves time and man hours within the unit.
“Since using this technology, it gets accurate measurements. It’s a lot easier instead of doing it by hand. There’s a little bit more room for error if we use it by hand, this [technology] is more accurate, and it takes way more measurements that we would probably do at a scene."
According to Aurora Police, the device can also be presented in a courtroom if charges are filed.
"If they use it in court, it can put the jurors in the crime scene. They can get a 360 view and see different angles, different perspective," said Gilbreath.
By 2024, the department plans to add more FARO devices to help investigators.
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