Forensic 3D documentation of bodies: Simple and fast procedure for combining CT scanning with external photogrammetry data

Abstract

This study presents a procedure for combining 3D models obtained from CT scanning (internal and external data) and photogrammetry (external data). 3D data were acquired at different times, without the support of reference points. The procedure has been tested on 30 injured areas caused by different wounding mechanisms. The alignment of the different 3D models was in most of the cases very precisely (mean distance around 1 mm, SD around or lower than 2 mm). Ad hoc procedures should be followed in case of injuries on the head, joints and back.