Forensic three-dimensional measurement device

A forensic three-dimensional (3D) imager comprising:

• a projector operable to project a light pattern onto a surface;
• a first camera, a second camera, and a third camera, which are coupled in a predetermined geometric relationship to the projector, the first camera is operable to acquire a first image of the light pattern on the surface, the second camera is operable to acquire a second image of the light pattern on the surface, and the third camera is operable to acquire a third image of the light pattern on the surface, wherein c combination of the fields of view of the first camera, the second camera, and the third camera defines a first area on the surface;
• a light source operable to emit light in a second area on the surface, the second area being within the first area, the light being a predetermined wavelength;
• a fourth camera that is associated with a filter to remove the light emitted by the light source from reaching the fourth camera, the fourth camera highlights one or more forensic evidence points in the second area, a forensic evidence point having a particular substance that the light emitted by the forensic light identifies based on fluorescence or absorption;
• and
• a processor operably coupled to the at least one first camera the second camera, the third camera, and the fourth camera, the processor operable to execute computer instructions, which when executed on the processor cause the processor to:
• determine 3D coordinates of a point in the second area based at least in part on the light pattern on the surface captured in the first image, and the light pattern on the surface captured in a third image that is acquired by the third camera,
• assign a first color value to said point based on ambient light,
• assign a second color value to said point based on determining that the at least one point is a forensic evidence point,
• map the first color value and the second color value to a 3D coordinate of said point to identify the forensic evidence point at time of rendering, and
• store both, the first color value and the second color value, in association with the 3D coordinate of said one single point.

A method comprising:

• determining 3D coordinates of points on a surface;
• projecting a first light having a first predetermined wavelength onto a first area the surface;
• acquiring with a first camera a first image within a field of view of the first camera, the field of view overlapping the first area on the surface;
• acquiring with a second camera a second image within a second field of view of the second camera, the second field of view overlapping the first area on the surface;
• acquiring with a third camera a third image within a third field of view of the third camera, the third field of view overlapping the first area on the surface;
• acquiring with a fourth camera a fourth image within a fourth field of view of the fourth camera, the fourth field of view overlapping the first area on the surface;
• determining an interaction of a predefined wavelength of light with a substance in the first area based on the fourth image;
• identifying the 3D coordinates of said point in the portion of the first area based at least in part on the light pattern on the surface captured in the first image, the second image, and the third image;
• assigning a first color value to said point based on ambient light;
• assigning a second color value to said point in response to the determining the interaction of the predefined wavelength of light with the substance in the first area;
• and
• storing both, the first color value and the second color value, in association with said one single point.