— 14-24 October 2024, Carabinieri, Rome, Italy
The RISEN project integrated a set of network-enabled near real-time contactless sensors for the optimization of traces, including their detection, visualization, identification and interpretation on site, combining 3D scene reconstruction capabilities and digital evidence management. This combination of technologies aims to revolutionize the way forensic investigations and crime scene analyses are conducted, providing unparalleled insights and enhancing procedural accuracy.
In the project, several testing activities were conducted allowing to demonstrate the developed capabilities across four specifically prepared mock crime scenes in two field trials.
The RISEN Final Trials occurred during 14-24 October 2024 at the facilities of Carabinieri in Rome, Italy. Designed by the RaCIS (Carabinieri) partner, a meticulously designed mock crime scene was modelled consisting in a hypothetical murder case occurring inside a clandestine laboratory (clan lab). This scene served as a testing ground for the RISEN trial activities, mimicking the complexities and high-stake nature of actual forensic investigations.
The primary scene was set up with different substrates difficult to discriminate by their colour (namely blood and ketchup on dark fabrics, blood and coffee on a wall), with the purpose to test the capacity of operators and sensors to detect and analyse these substances. Blood traces, one of the most important traces for forensic investigations, were spread on the victim’s clothes, on the floor and on the table in addition to coffee, chocolate, and ketchup, as shown below.
At the scene, other objects related to the homicide were placed: a knife with blood traces (murder weapon), a case of a cartridge (for firearm explosion simulation and gunshot residue detection and analysis), and additional objects useful for simulating a contact between the victim and the perpetrator (two glasses, a fork and a knife, consumed food packets, hard disk, cigarette butts, and a bottle of water).
Physical evidences were located on the wall, in particular blood traces deriving from the offender’s action for bloodstain pattern analysis purposes and coffee traces deriving from the dynamics of the interaction. Other traces were distributed on the table, on the floor, and on the victim’s clothes, to test the ability of operators and sensors to detect and analyse them.
The second and third boxes present the same simulated scenario: a clandestine laboratory for the production of home-made explosives substances and narcotics.
The laboratory was set up using the tools that are usually used for cutting drugs and synthesizing homemade explosives, such as flasks, test tubes, beakers, measuring cylinders, acetone containers and a distillation device.
In the laboratory, drugs, explosives and cutting substances were placed with the aim to test the ability of the RISEN sensors to perform on-site contactless analysis of unknown composition.
RISEN in Action
For the realisation of the trials, PARTICLE’s EVIDENCE, a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) was used to create and manage several investigation cases, presenting elements of the investigation cases to which the collected sensor measurements and sensor data were sent and associated with.
Using DEMS, 8 cases were created and managed during the final trials. A total of 597 traces and 623 sensor data measurements were collected. Detailed case information was visualised in DEMS, including the list of traces associated with the case. The traces were transmitted by the connected RISEN sensors and were automatically received in the DEMS via the API.
The crime scene investigation was monitored in real-time using the 3D visualisation tool that provides first person view of a 3D model of the crime scene, including information about sensor measurements.
The trial demonstrated that RISEN technologies have fulfilled the end-users’ identified requirements regarding the System’s technical capabilities and maturity, as well as operational performance to support crime scene investigation:
- All sensors successfully provided data into PARTICLE’s DEMS, which was available in DEMS’s web portal as well as in the 3D tool operating in desktop, virtual reality and augmented reality modes.
- Detection / identification performance of the sensors was very good in the simulated crime scene context.
- Using RISEN technology, it was possible to analyse more traces in a shorter time duration.
- Collecting data in one repository and web/3D view helps to manage a large amount of measurement sensor data.
- Examining crime scene using 3D models and spatially located information provides intuitive user interface for crime scene investigation.
Ultimately, the RISEN System and the DEMS enhance situational awareness, reduce investigation time, and ensure the meticulous documentation of evidence, offering a digital chain of custody from the crime scene to the lab.
