Crime Scene Investigation with Smartphone
Crime scene investigation (CSI) is one of the most important steps in solving the cases. In order to enlighten a crime, It is necessary to collect evidence by examining it with appropriate equipment and methods by experts in the field where the crime was committed. Nowadays, with the development of technology, equipment and methods used in crime scene investigation are also developing.
Some of the essential items for crime scene investigation:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Markers (e.g, cards, chalk, spray paint).
- Notebook and pencil
- Paper bags
- Protective equipment (e.g., gloves, booties, hair covering, overalls, and mask)
- Bodily fluid collection kit (sterile swabs, distilled water, evidence collecting tubes)
- Camera (with memory cards, backup battery, remote flash, tripod)
- Evidence seals/tape
- Measuring devices (e.g, measuring wheel or tape measures)
- Scales for photography
- Tweezers
- Forceps
- Magnifying glass
- Forensic light source (with different wavelength)
- Multispectral imaging devices
The equipment to be used for crime scene investigation is not limited to these. The equipment may determine according to the characteristics of the crime scene, type of the crime, physical conditions of the area, etc may affect the type of equipment to be used. In order to make a better crime scene investigation, it is necessary to use the most up-to-date equipment.
Another important issue in crime scene investigation is timing. Considering the loss of evidence, sufficient time should be allocated for the examination and all possible evidences should be photographed and stored for later examination. Many evidences (eg. blood strains, fingerprints, body fluids, etc.) are examined with forensic light sources (have different wavelengths) and light filters of different colors during imaging procedures and can be recorded with high-quality cameras.
“Smartphone” has a Unique combination of polarized light and polarized camera for fam auto-glare-free images from any angle and White Polarizer, White+, UV-A, Ring Light System with 360 to 720 nm wavelength lights. It allows you to create the most suitable option for examining, collecting, and recording evidences in crime scene investigation with a single device and make the best investigation. Ex; If there is a stain on the surfaces at the crime scene, you can examine that stain with optional wavelength lights and filters to determine what the stain is. Some of the body fluids such as blood stains or semen, fingerprints have different and characteristic imaging when you examine with “Smartphone”. Besides that, it has a high-resolution camera and you can save your images as a jpeg or a RAW file with high resolution. A RAW file is a collection of unprocessed data. This means the file has not been altered, compressed, or manipulated in any way by the computer. Therefore, the RAW format is the most reliable file format known in international justice systems and is accepted as evidence in courts.
As the “Smartphone” is average cell phone size (6”), it is extremely practical to use. Instead of two-handed cameras which use an external light source and filter, it is possible to use practically with one hand the “Smartphone” which is all in one. In this situation, the examiner can take another piece of equipment (forceps, cotton swabs, etc.) to the freehand and can make the investigation more professional. The fact that the examiner can use Smartphone and other equipment like forceps/swabs together provides the opportunity to manage the investigation as he wishes. You can invest in the crime scene for hours because of the powerful battery.
Smartphone provides a freer and more controlled CSI and allows you to save your images either as a jpeg or a RAW file with high resolution with a single touch. You can save your evidences with an extremely simple and convenient interface. You can create a separate folder for each scene/event and prevent your images from getting mixed up. It allows you to transfer your images to your Windows/Mac device with a USB-Type C cable and examine high-resolution images on your computer.