MPD learning forensic collision animation

The Maricopa Police Department has been awarded a $14,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to buy a Nikon DTM-322 total station that will allow the department to take accurate measurements of accident scenes and crime scenes much more quickly than was previously be done by hand.

The funding also provides for training five officers and detectives in the operation of the system and software. The software allows for the measurements taken by the Nikon DTM-322 to create a 3-D representation of the accident or the crime scene.

It also allows for the creation of a forensic animation of a collision.

The training for this system began in March. The objective of the funding is to help reduce the time needed to close roadways and areas at large crime scenes while officers investigate. It also allows for more accurate documentation of evidence located on scene.

More information on the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety visit www.azgohs.gov.