An investigation into the effect of surveillance drones on textile evidence at crime scenes

With increasing numbers of Police forces using drones for crime scene surveillance, the effect of the drones on trace evidence present needs evaluation. In this investigation the effect of flying a quadcopter drone at different heights over a controlled scene and taking off at different distances from the scene were measured. Yarn was placed on a range of floor surfaces and the number lost or moved from their original position was recorded.It was possible to estimate “safe” distances above and take off distance from the bath mat (2m and 1m respectively), and carpet tile (3m and 1m) which were the roughest surfaces.

Source: Science and Justice - May 20, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Alistair Bucknell, Tom Bassindale Source Type: research