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VirtoScan - a mobile, low-cost photogrammetry setup for fast post-mortem 3D full-body documentations in x-ray computed tomography and autopsy suites

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Abstract

Injuries such as bite marks or boot prints can leave distinct patterns on the body’s surface and can be used for 3D reconstructions. Although various systems for 3D surface imaging have been introduced in the forensic field, most techniques are both cost-intensive and time-consuming. In this article, we present the VirtoScan, a mobile, multi-camera rig based on close-range photogrammetry. The system can be integrated into automated PMCT scanning procedures or used manually together with lifting carts, autopsy tables and examination couch. The VirtoScan is based on a moveable frame that carries 7 digital single-lens reflex cameras. A remote control is attached to each camera and allows the simultaneous triggering of the shutter release of all cameras. Data acquisition in combination with the PMCT scanning procedures took 3:34 min for the 3D surface documentation of one side of the body compared to 20:20 min of acquisition time when using our in-house standard. A surface model comparison between the high resolution output from our in-house standard and a high resolution model from the multi-camera rig showed a mean surface deviation of 0.36 mm for the whole body scan and 0.13 mm for a second comparison of a detailed section of the scan. The use of the multi-camera rig reduces the acquisition time for whole-body surface documentations in medico-legal examinations and provides a low-cost 3D surface scanning alternative for forensic investigations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to Emma Louise Kessler, M.D. for her generous donation to the Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland

    Sören Kottner, Lars C. Ebert, Garyfalia Ampanozi, Michael J. Thali & Dominic Gascho

  2. Forensic Science Institute, Zeughausstrasse 11, 8004, Zurich, Switzerland

    Marcel Braun

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  1. Sören Kottner
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  2. Lars C. Ebert
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Correspondence to Sören Kottner.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

The 3D scan data of a human was acquired as part of a forensic judicial investigation into a case. Anonymized results of this are used in this publication. That data usage is conformant with Swiss laws and ethical standards as approved by the Ethics Committee of the Canton of Zurich (written approval, KEK ZH-Nr. 15–0686)

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Kottner, S., Ebert, L.C., Ampanozi, G. et al. VirtoScan - a mobile, low-cost photogrammetry setup for fast post-mortem 3D full-body documentations in x-ray computed tomography and autopsy suites. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 13, 34–43 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-016-9837-2

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