While our focus is on state of the art investigation, we understand that not every file can justify the expense of a full-on investigation nor the use of expensive investigative instruments.
Sometimes the client is better served by a few simple manual measurements and some simple 2 dimensional drawings. We started out handling investigations this way in the mid 1980’s. Whether your budget calls for a bare bones review of the scene, or a full-blown 3D scan, we stand ready to apply the same scientific principles to the collection and documentation of your evidence. We believe that to be effective, manual measurements must be accurate and precise.
We’re experts at scene investigation and reconstruction. You won’t find a better on-scene investigation anywhere in the insurance industry, and that’s true whether we’re collecting data by hand or with our state-of-the-art instruments.
CARTESIAN & NEWTONIAN COORDINATE SYSTEMS:
In keeping with our promise to provide the best investigative work product in the industry, what you’ll find at the heart of all of our investigations is the Cartesian Coordinate System. This is true whether we’re measuring a fatal accident scene, a property damage case, or a slip and fall.
We believe the Cartesian Coordinate system can be applied to better document any claim, regardless of type, and accident scene, anywhere.
In a nut shell, we’ll find a permanent object to use as a reference point and either measure from that point, or extend a line through to another object and begin our measurements from there. Culverts, Utility Poles, Bridge Abuttments and Geographic Features not likely to change make excellent reference points. We also Georeference the position of reference points and relevant data.
Once the reference point is established then we obtain two measurements to document each pertinent and relevant bit of evidence we gather at the scene. We prepare a grid with an ascending Y axis and a horizontal X axis and plot each point with a measurement along those axes. Where elevational changes are relevant, we adapt and use a Newtonian system, which features a third axis to denote elevation: the Z axis.
Whether we’re measuring by hand, using a DIsto, a Nikon Total Sation or a 3D scanning device, the underlying principles are the same. From there, we’re able to take the data we obtain and prepare diagrams and animations. We can use the measurements to peform commonly accepted accident reconstruction calculations to establish times and distances relevant to the accident in question.
We’ll also measure the coefficient of friction at a scene and use that in all relevant calculations.
On slip and fall cases, we utilize a Drag Sleds and a Tribometer to accurately record the coefficient of friction on the surface where the fall occured, whether indoors or outside.
TWO DIMENSIONAL IMAGERY:
When the assignment involves an emergency on-scene call out, regardless of the time or day, we can be there quickly, and we’ll take detailed measurements. We can provide imagery and 2D scale CAD drawings from the scene, as well as video. In some cases, we’re able to provide 2D animation from the scene. We’ve spent a great deal of time and effort in automating and streamlining our data collection and reporting work-flow, in order to be able to provide you with actionable and useful information from the scene as rapidly as possible.
We’re quick, precise and efficient.
THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGERY:
We will often use Photogrammetry and Structure From Motion Photography to prepare 3D models of vehicles and outdoor scenes. Sometimes, depending on the scene parameters, we’ll use outdoor SLAM techniques featuring a Sony Bumblebee2 camera and RTABMap software. Our goal is to obtain 3D imagery on all of our claim files in order to help better explain and understand causation of your accident. We’ve designed and constructed specialty multi-camera rigs, and SLAM capture carts in order to expedite and streamline 3D image capture.
On indoor scenes we utilize photogrammetry and the SLAM Mapping technology of Google’s Depth Sensing Project Tango to capture dimensioned 3D imagery of building interiors, which we augment with high resolution panoramas and high res still images. We can provide you with walk-through and fly-through capability for reviewing the scenes we work for you.
In larger outdoor cases, we’ll use Structure From Motion techniques on terrestrial and aerial images, or a SLAM approach featuring the Sony Bumblebee2 depth camera and RTABMap software to economically capture your scene. If the budget will allow – we can utilize LIDAR to forensically scan your scene in amazing detail. We can cut, tailor and fit our approach to your needs and budget.
Links to selected White Papers and Wikis are included for your convenience and as insight into our systematic approach to accident investigation and reconstruction. This list is by no means complete nor particularly exhaustive. It’s intended merely to provide a jumping off point in the understanding of Computer/Machine Vision, Photogrammetry, Structure From Motion and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technologies and related fields that our 3D imaging processes are based upon.
PHOTOGRAMMETRY:
http://www.tested.com/art/makers/460057-tested-dark-art-photogrammetry/
PROJECT TANGO:
https://developers.google.com/tango/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWk3RZWvWPc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE8kMkrCeuA
SLAM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQQL8pmztb4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpTS7kg9J3A
COMPUTER VISION:
https://www.udacity.com/course/introduction-to-computer-vision–ud810
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~cil/vision.html
STRUCTURE FROM MOTION:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X12004217
LIDAR & 3D SCANNING:
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lidar.html