Essex Police to pioneers hi-tech crime scene system

The CrimeSceneNet software can create a three-dimensional image of a crime scene to help officers work out what happened.

The system allows investigators to pull together sounds, images and documents to give them a fuller picture.

It can also be used for security briefings at Stansted Airport, for crowd control at football grounds, and at the scene of road accidents.

Norman Eastbrook, the force’s head of imaging, said: “It will benefit us at a lot of crime scenes, as our photographers will be able to capture the images in 360-degree format. With major crimes, the senior investigating officer will be able to brief his team immediately and they will be able to ‘walk through’ the entire crime scene, rather than waiting for still photographs.”

Mr Eastbrook added he hoped CrimeSceneNet would eventually remove the need to video crime scenes, since its three-dimensional images would be more useful.

He explained: “The software can be used to present the whole case in court – it’s a total presentation package. In the long run, it will save us a lot of time and allow investigators to get ahead in their investigations.”

Other agencies will be able to use the system to share details and add information.

It can incorporate still photographs, 360-degree views, CCTV pictures, taped interviews, recordings of 999 calls, documents and even evidence such as fingerprints and DNA.

Andrew Baddeley, of supplier 360 Tactical VR, said: “This application will prove to be a huge benefit for Essex Police and other law enforcement agencies. It helps them to develop theories and scenarios for investigations in a fraction of the time they needed before.”

The force is due to take delivery of the system next week, so staff can start training in its use.

As the first force to use it, Essex is getting the system free of charge – the only extra cost will be the price of a special 360-degree lens capture images for the system.