FlashScan3D Awarded Grant for Postmortem Fingerprint Recovery
09/14/14 05:13 PM
FlashScan3D, an innovative company specializing in the development of advanced 3D scanning technology, was awarded a prestigious research grant by the National Institutes of Justice (NIJ) in 2014 to advance the use of 3D scanning for postmortem fingerprint recovery. This groundbreaking project aimed to address the challenges faced by forensic scientists in capturing accurate fingerprint impressions from decedents, particularly during Mass Fatality Incidents (MFIs) and in routine morgue operations.
Traditional methods of recording postmortem fingerprints were often manual, labor-intensive, and prone to inaccuracies, especially when dealing with deteriorated remains. FlashScan3D’s non-contact 3D scanning technology offered a transformative solution by enabling the capture of complex surfaces and friction ridge details without altering or destroying the remains. This technology had the potential to significantly improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of victim identification in both daily casework and large-scale disaster scenarios.
The NIJ-funded research focused on evaluating the effectiveness of 3D scanning in recovering postmortem fingerprints under various conditions, including decomposition, mummification, degloving, and dehydration. FlashScan3D collaborated with subject matter experts to refine its 3D scanner prototype and develop tools to integrate 3D scanning into existing forensic workflows. A key objective of the project was to establish benchmarks for converting 3D postmortem images into 2D images compatible with current fingerprint matching algorithms and databases.
The project also explored the development of best practices, standards, and procedures for the forensic science community to adopt 3D scanning technology. By comparing 3D scanning to traditional techniques, FlashScan3D demonstrated the superior accuracy and efficiency of its system in recovering friction ridge information from challenging postmortem conditions.
FlashScan3D’s work had far-reaching implications for forensic investigations, disaster response, and law enforcement. The company’s innovative approach enhanced the ability of forensic professionals to identify victims quickly and accurately, providing closure to families and supporting justice efforts.
Read more here:
• https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/method-modeling-post-mortem-biometric-3d-fingerprints
• https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/246711.pdf
• https://ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/non-contact-multi-sensor-fingerprint-collection
Traditional methods of recording postmortem fingerprints were often manual, labor-intensive, and prone to inaccuracies, especially when dealing with deteriorated remains. FlashScan3D’s non-contact 3D scanning technology offered a transformative solution by enabling the capture of complex surfaces and friction ridge details without altering or destroying the remains. This technology had the potential to significantly improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of victim identification in both daily casework and large-scale disaster scenarios.
The NIJ-funded research focused on evaluating the effectiveness of 3D scanning in recovering postmortem fingerprints under various conditions, including decomposition, mummification, degloving, and dehydration. FlashScan3D collaborated with subject matter experts to refine its 3D scanner prototype and develop tools to integrate 3D scanning into existing forensic workflows. A key objective of the project was to establish benchmarks for converting 3D postmortem images into 2D images compatible with current fingerprint matching algorithms and databases.
The project also explored the development of best practices, standards, and procedures for the forensic science community to adopt 3D scanning technology. By comparing 3D scanning to traditional techniques, FlashScan3D demonstrated the superior accuracy and efficiency of its system in recovering friction ridge information from challenging postmortem conditions.
FlashScan3D’s work had far-reaching implications for forensic investigations, disaster response, and law enforcement. The company’s innovative approach enhanced the ability of forensic professionals to identify victims quickly and accurately, providing closure to families and supporting justice efforts.
Read more here:
• https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/method-modeling-post-mortem-biometric-3d-fingerprints
• https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/246711.pdf
• https://ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/non-contact-multi-sensor-fingerprint-collection
