Nottingham, UK, 01 May 2012 – More than half of Police Forces awarded funding by the UK’s Department of Transport for the purchase of high tech laser scanners have purchased RIEGL devices from 3D Laser Mapping. The state of the art laser scanning systems will be used to rapidly collect evidence at the scene of collisions helping to reduce the length of road or lane closures and minimise congestion on our roads. Data collected by the scanners will be used by Collision Investigators to produce high quality graphics and detailed plans of collision scenes for use in subsequent enquiries and court cases.
14 Police Forces out of 22 awarded funding have ordered a total of 26 RIEGL laser scanners. 3D Laser Mapping has already supplied a number of these devices and is rolling out the remaining equipment supported by a comprehensive training programme. The GBP 2.7 million Department of Transport funding, together with police and the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) contributions, enabled the purchase of 39 scanners by 22 forces in total.
North Yorkshire Police was one of the first to select the RIEGL VZ-400, “We researched the market to determine what laser scanning systems were available and then conducted a week long comparison of two devices,” commented Dave Foster, Senior Collision Investigator. “At the end of this trial we concluded that only the VZ-400 could meet our requirements offering an impressive performance coupled with an ease of use. During this process we liaised with other forces to share our experiences and findings.”
Forensic Collision Investigator Duncan Thurlwell of Essex Police added, “We also undertook extensive research; comparing scanner manufacturers and attending multiple demonstrations and testing events. In the end we chose the RIEGL because of the speed of data capture. It was a primary requirement of the DfT scheme that the chosen scanner should reduce road closure times and we believe the RIEGL scanner will enable us to achieve this.”
Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Joint Forensic Collision Investigation Unit drew heavily on the results from independent trials of laser scanning system conducted by the Metropolitan Police Force; existing users of the REIGL VZ-400. “The specification of the RIEGL scanner was not matched by any other on the market. This easy to use device will enable faster evidence collection and the quality of data will enhance the product delivered to the Courts,” commented Gary Baldwin, Supervisor of the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit.
About the RIEGL VZ-400
The RIEGL VZ-400 laser scanners purchased have been proven to provide a significantly greater level of detail and colour compared to other laser scanners and can be used during the day, even in low light conditions, and at night. The VZ-400 utilises unique echo digitisation and online waveform analysis to achieve superior performance and accuracies of measurement, even under adverse weather conditions. Achieving accuracies of 5mm at ranges of up to 600 metres the VZ-400 can measure up to 122,000 points per second with a 100 x 360-degree field of view
About 3D Laser Mapping
3D Laser Mapping is a global developer of laser scanning solutions for sectors such as mapping, mining and manufacturing. 3D Laser Mapping specialises in integrating laser scanning hardware with their own software and peripherals to create solutions at the cutting edge of technology. Through a worldwide network of distributors 3D Laser Mapping is able to provide frontline support and service for a growing international client base. 3D Laser Mapping is also the RIEGL Premier Distributor for the UK, Ireland and sub-Saharan Africa and the leading distributor of TerraScan software. For further information see www.3dlasermapping.com
About RIEGL
RIEGL has over thirty years experience in the research, development and production of laser rangefinders, distancemeters and scanners. Primarily a technology company RIEGL specialise in producing technically innovative solutions for specific applications working in partnership with organisations such as 3D Laser Mapping to produce powerful turnkey solutions for multiple fields of application. For further information see www.riegl.com