Laser scanner donated to sheriff's office

COEUR d'ALENE —  The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office has a new piece of equipment for analyzing and documenting crash and crime scenes.

Sheriff Bob Norris said they have been trying to get a laser scanner for 10 years, but the $85,000 price tag prevented it. But, thanks to donations from Findlay Auto Group and a local couple who wish to remain anonymous, it happened.

The scanner will be helpful in multiple situations, Sgt. Jeff Howard said.

"For traffic accidents it would take us about two hours to map that scene out," Howard said. "With this, we can probably do it in about half an hour."

Howard said KCSO will still send a four-deputy team to a crash, but only one deputy needs to map the scene while the others focus on traffic control and witness statements. The new system may save weeks in complex crime scenes.

The scanner's measurements are accurate within 2 millimeters, opposed to potentially greater error when humans map a scene.

The scanner can also help with crime scenes and instances of suspected arson. The unit is so detailed, it can measure individual droplet sizes in blood splatter.

"We can use this in any critical incident," Norris said.  

The model received by the sheriff's office has a scan range of 350 meters in open space, but can also be utilized in confined spaces.

Each scan takes about three minutes and the unit takes hundreds of photos per second. The scanner pairs with software and then creates a 3D image from the photos. Those images can then be used as evidence.

"So, to give a little perspective, jurors that sit and listen to the prosecutor and defense attorney expect to see these things," Norris said. 

He said it eliminates guesses by jurors and provides hard photographic evidence.

The scanner also reconstructs scenes based on angles and bullet trajectories. Deputies can then place a suspect in a crime scene based on those equations.

With additional software and training, deputies can even scan objects and have them 3D printed, if necessary.

Howard said initial training to operate the scanner is about 40 hours.

KCSO has received $1.3 million in equipment donations over the last two years.