Putnamville CSI receives new scanning device

PUTNAMVILLE -- New equipment designed to provide scientific enhancement of police investigations was recently received by the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post.

Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigator Sgt. Jim Cody, assigned to the ISP Laboratory Division and working out of the Putnamville Post, received a new scanning and imaging device that will enhance the documentation and reproduction of crash scenes, crime scenes and more.

Putting newly obtained equipment to work, Indiana State Police Sgt. Jim Cody begins his scanning of Van Duyn Elementary School in Vermillion County.

Cody was chosen as the Central Zone CSI (Crime Scene Investigator) to receive this equipment and utilize it in the field. The ISP's North and South Zones also received the new equipment.

The Indiana State Police Laboratory Division recently purchased three FARO Brand X330 3-D scanning and imaging devices via a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

The devices will allow laboratory personnel to scan any crash or crime scene down to the smallest of detail and then provide that information in 3-D to investigators. In other words, it permits high-precision 3-D measurement, imaging and documentation of target areas.

As one example of a finished product, information obtained with the addition of new equipment could potentially allow a 3-D virtual tour of a crime scene to a jury.

On Tuesday, Sgt. Cody demonstrated the scanning process to local media at the Van Duyn Elementary School in Vermillion County. Van Duyn Elementary lies within the Putnamville District and the Central Zone of the Indiana State Police.

As part of the grant process, ISP has agreed to scan some Indiana schools along the way and store that information should the need arise for law enforcement or emergency purposes. The information would then allow a virtual tour of the school's physical characteristics for investigative and/or tactical purposes.

It is important to note, that students will not be involved in the process and it may be some time for additional schools are documented as the main priority is for the devices to be integrated into actual investigations.