WASP technology also finds application in the “virtual evidence” analysis and in the future of forensic disciplines
It is known that 3D printing is now applied, fortunately, in many fields of application. One of the least known is perhaps forensic use. This sector today uses technological innovations resources that are applicable to biomedical sciences and forensic medicine with the related forensic disciplines.
In order to be solved, some cases require innovative three-dimensional comparison techniques called “analysis of virtual evidence“.
The case of the Pioltello railway accident use WASP 3d printing technology to define the sequence of events.
The accident occurred on the morning of January 25th, 2018 on the Milan-Venice railway. The Trenord regional train 10452, full of commuters, coming from Cremona and heading to Milan Porta Garibaldi, derailed shortly after exiting the Pioltello-Limito station, towards Milan, causing three deaths and 46 injuries.
During the press conference was shown the computerized 3D reconstruction of the railway infrastructure and of the rolling stock. This reconstruction was carried out with highly innovative technologies for the analysis of Virtual Evidence and allowed the technical consultants, appointed by the Milan Public Prosecutor, to analyze the incident in detail, also through real simulations with 3D printing models in scale 1: 1.
Video of the press conference. (click here)
These models were created in the Scientific police labs, with the collaboration of WASP and the use of the Delta WASP 3MT INDUSTRIAL 4.0 3D printer. They allowed to verify the morphological compatibility between the “markings” produced by the impact on the infrastructure elements and on the rolling stocks.
The 3D technical representation of the railway accident
The Scientific Police Service proceeded with the three-dimensional representation of the entire section of the railway line (more than 2 km), from the so-called “zero point” to the “quiet point”, reconstructing the dynamics of the event with computerized animations. It was particularly impressive the sequence from the minute 3.07 in which it was possible to see how the detachment of a piece of rail caused the train wheel to come off the track, causing the disastrous derailment.
Which potential developments can be envisaged in this area for the future?
The three-dimensional reconstruction of structures including damaged human parts will certainly find widespread in the forensic field, thanks to a further reduction in printing costs.
Moreover, the three-dimensional reproduction of the crime scene or of some interested areas will constitute another very useful application for the reconstruction of crime dynamics and victim’s death.
If you want to look to a future that is apparently a little further away, you can imagine being able to reproduce the chemical-biological characteristics of a fabric by 3D printing, with the possibility of making the assessment an examination that can be repeated several times on models in all and for all true to the original.
The Delta WASP 3D Printers reliability
The Delta WASP 3d printers reliability will allow the reproduction of models equipped not only with the external characteristics reflecting the original in the three dimensions, but also with its physical properties. The simulation of this Pioltello accident specific case defined with a greater degree of certainty than that achievable with traditional tools, in particular the succession of events that determined this specific derailment. If you want to look at a future that is apparently a little further away, you can imagine that it will be possible to reproduce the chemical-biological characteristics of a fabric by 3D printing. It will give the possibility of making the assessment an examination that can be repeated several times on models that are true to the original.