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Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice

Kaja Kowalczewska Orcid Logo, mgr Michał Nasiłowski Orcid Logo

Forensic Science, Issue: 1, Pages: 32 - 39

Swansea University Author: Kaja Kowalczewska Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.32782/forensic.science.2025.1.5

Abstract

The introduction of 3D scanning technology has revolutionized crime scene investigation, improving the efficiency, accuracy and security of documenting evidence. This article examines the application of 3D scanners in forensics and international criminal justice, focusing on their technical capabili...

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Published in: Forensic Science
ISSN: 3083-6085 3083-6093
Published: Publishing House Helvetica (Publications) 2025
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70673
first_indexed 2025-10-15T16:01:49Z
last_indexed 2025-12-06T07:55:05Z
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spelling 2025-12-05T12:49:04.7468000 v2 70673 2025-10-15 Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice 84967a6c58e00cfe9dc8ce044a9f6f9e 0000-0002-9799-9150 Kaja Kowalczewska Kaja Kowalczewska true false 2025-10-15 HRCL The introduction of 3D scanning technology has revolutionized crime scene investigation, improving the efficiency, accuracy and security of documenting evidence. This article examines the application of 3D scanners in forensics and international criminal justice, focusing on their technical capabilities, advantages and challenges. Drawing on the experience of the Polish police and their cooperation with Ukrainian investigators documenting war crimes, the article highlights the importance of these devices. Originally used to investigate traffic accidents, 3D scanners are now being used for complex cases such as homicides, natural disaster consequences and missile strikes. 3D scanners use laser beams or structured light to create 360-degree digital reconstructions with an accuracy of 0.1 millimeter. These devices allow investigators to document intricate details such as blood spatter and structural damage, even in difficult conditions or in complete darkness. The tamper-proof digital output they produce enhances the quality of forensic examinations and courtroom presentations. Polish examples demonstrate their effectiveness in cases such as building collapses and remote crime scenes, while Ukrainian examples confirm their usefulness in conflict zones where security risks and large-scale destruction complicate investigations. Despite their many advantages, 3D scanners have their challenges, including sensitivity to adverse weather conditions, high costs, and the need for skilled operators. Post-processing tools, such as noise filtering and point cloud smoothing, help to address these issues, but can impact overall accuracy. Combining the forensic literature and expert opinion, this study highlights the transformative role of 3D scanners in improving modern judicial practices and international justice. Journal Article Forensic Science 1 32 39 Publishing House Helvetica (Publications) 3083-6085 3083-6093 3D scanning, forensic science, crime scene reconstruction, war crimes, evidence preservation 15 1 2025 2025-01-15 10.32782/forensic.science.2025.1.5 COLLEGE NANME Hillary Rodham Clinton Law School COLLEGE CODE HRCL Swansea University This work was created as part of the research project no. 2023/49/B/HS5/02623 funded by the National Science Centre (NCN) in Poland. 2025-12-05T12:49:04.7468000 2025-10-15T12:49:14.8287380 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law Kaja Kowalczewska 0000-0002-9799-9150 1 mgr Michał Nasiłowski 0009-0005-5216-3404 2 70673__35430__dff2bdb268e340b393cf5ac7eacd469f.pdf 2025_Forensic Science UA_the role of 3d scnanne in crime scen investigations and ICJ.pdf 2025-10-21T16:50:54.9840232 Output 334575 application/pdf Version of Record true Released under the terms of a CC-BY license. true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en
title Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
spellingShingle Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
Kaja Kowalczewska
title_short Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
title_full Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
title_fullStr Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
title_full_unstemmed Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
title_sort Polish insights into forensic technology: The role of 3D scanners in crime scene investigations and international criminal justice
author_id_str_mv 84967a6c58e00cfe9dc8ce044a9f6f9e
author_id_fullname_str_mv 84967a6c58e00cfe9dc8ce044a9f6f9e_***_Kaja Kowalczewska
author Kaja Kowalczewska
author2 Kaja Kowalczewska
mgr Michał Nasiłowski
format Journal article
container_title Forensic Science
container_issue 1
container_start_page 32
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
issn 3083-6085
3083-6093
doi_str_mv 10.32782/forensic.science.2025.1.5
publisher Publishing House Helvetica (Publications)
college_str Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
department_str Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Hilary Rodham Clinton School of Law
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description The introduction of 3D scanning technology has revolutionized crime scene investigation, improving the efficiency, accuracy and security of documenting evidence. This article examines the application of 3D scanners in forensics and international criminal justice, focusing on their technical capabilities, advantages and challenges. Drawing on the experience of the Polish police and their cooperation with Ukrainian investigators documenting war crimes, the article highlights the importance of these devices. Originally used to investigate traffic accidents, 3D scanners are now being used for complex cases such as homicides, natural disaster consequences and missile strikes. 3D scanners use laser beams or structured light to create 360-degree digital reconstructions with an accuracy of 0.1 millimeter. These devices allow investigators to document intricate details such as blood spatter and structural damage, even in difficult conditions or in complete darkness. The tamper-proof digital output they produce enhances the quality of forensic examinations and courtroom presentations. Polish examples demonstrate their effectiveness in cases such as building collapses and remote crime scenes, while Ukrainian examples confirm their usefulness in conflict zones where security risks and large-scale destruction complicate investigations. Despite their many advantages, 3D scanners have their challenges, including sensitivity to adverse weather conditions, high costs, and the need for skilled operators. Post-processing tools, such as noise filtering and point cloud smoothing, help to address these issues, but can impact overall accuracy. Combining the forensic literature and expert opinion, this study highlights the transformative role of 3D scanners in improving modern judicial practices and international justice.
published_date 2025-01-15T05:31:24Z
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