FORENSIC
SCENE MAPPING TOTAL STATION
In 2004 the
North Charleston Police Department utilized a law
enforcement block grant to purchase specialized equipment
which the Traffic Unit has been requesting for a number of
years. The purchase permitted the Traffic Unit to obtain
and become certified in the use of acurate forensic scene
mapping equipment. The Traffic Unit utilizes a Sokkia
Set530r total station coupled with a Panasonic Toughbook
Data Collector loaded with Mapscenes Evidence collector
software to map certain vehicle collisions, crime scenes,
or other forensic scenes which require advanced scene
recording. The Traffic Unit is capable of documenting any
crime scene within the unit or
department, and has been called to assist other
agencies involving shootings, vehicular homicides, and
other criminal investigations. After the data is collected
from a scene, MapscenesPro software is utilized to develop
scale diagrams and graphical representations of the scene
for investigational aids and court room purposes.
