3D Technologies for Failure Analysis

Photographs and measurements by hand are great, but today’s Reality Capture technology allows forensic investigators to make use of “Digital Twins” while conducting and presenting failure analysis. Reality capture tools can document buildings and large sites with millimeter accuracy, or small parts and features with accuracy measured in microns. The resulting digital twins can be plugged into a variety of applications and workflows to produce highly accurate results and solve problems that would be difficult or even impossible without the use of this technology. Tools like terrestrial 3D laser scanners, drones, and advanced photogrammetry applications might seem familiar, but recent advancements open new doors and lower the barriers for entry. While 3D printing, 3D animation programs, and even virtual reality have changed how experts can get measurements, solve problems, and share their results.