On the topic of true crime, we decided to look into some recent advancements in forensic science technology. From using 3D printers, drones, and new lab technology forensic scientists have more tools to help them solve crimes and bring peace to those affected.
3D printers can be used to help make replicas of fragile items that need to be reassembled to give further insight into what happened. Creating replicas has a history in forensics, but 3D print models can be used in situations where only photos can be taken from the crime scene. In one case 3D prints were used to show jurors how bones fit together to prove what happened without having to expose the jurors to gory photos. Other cases have used 3D printing and modeling to help with facial reconstructions. The skull is 3D scanned and then artists can use the skull prints to add clay to make a set of reconstructions that can be easily compared. Other popular tech tools are being used in forensic science as well.
One such tech tool that is being adapted to forensic science is drones. Using infrared imaging, temperature sensors, and other light filters drones can quickly search an area for missing persons. Drones also have the ability to travel into places that might not be safe for traditional search parties. Hyperspectral/multispectral imaging can take the information related to the missing person and search for those specific details in the pictures that it has taken. If you want to learn more about hyperspectral imaging, see the video below. Additionally, there is a whole division of forensics centered around drones to pull evidence out of drones that are used in criminal activities. Scientists are studying the available drones to document the data they are able to pull from each type.
Advances in lab technology have led to the ability to take new evidence from crime scenes to add more information to the overall picture of the crime. Water samples can be analyzed from the either the suspect or victim and the isotopes can be analyzed to give more information on where they had been previously. Palynology or the study of pollen, seeds, grains, and spores, is also used to study more materials that can give clues to the previous whereabouts of the suspect or victim. Samples of these materials can be analyzed to see where they came from. These new lab studies help create a better picture to find the answer of what happened and bring justice to the victims involved. It's amazing how new process and uses of technology can be used to learn more.
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