Accurate data is central to any investigation of merit. By engaging ESi early, our clients benefit from precision data collection and the critical insights they reveal. As these insights often inform potential outcomes, quality data collection and preservation should be early priorities of any legal team.

3D Laser Scanning

Using industry leading FARO® 3D laser scanning, ESi provides rapid, unobtrusive, and accurate preservation of almost any model or incident scene. From small products and components, to buildings, roads and landscapes, our experienced technical staff have the expertise to scan objects and environments of virtually any shape and size, creating textured, high-resolution images that can be readily converted to pictures, simple or complex animations, or 3D models. Our 3D scanners capture millions of points of measurable data, documenting every real-world detail – from the tiniest parts, to areas as large as factories or multiple city blocks – all with millimeter accuracy.

Whether your need relates to product design and development, accident investigation, or quality assurance, 3D laser scanning yields highly usable, high-quality data quickly. Dimensions, elevations, topologies, and coordinates can all be captured from a variety of perspectives, allowing you to fully document a scene or object in a non-destructive manner. This documentation can then be used to assist with everything from modeling and fabrication, to damage/deformation assessment, and accident reconstruction. Renderings and 3D visualizations can be created to assist with presentations and courtroom depositions to help convey pivotal information to a client or jury.

CT Scanning

ESi’s state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) services can be an invaluable tool in the forensic analysis of failed components. CT imaging is non-destructive and provides high-resolution 3D images of an object and its internal structures. These images can be viewed from any angle, manipulated, and graphically deconstructed and reconstructed, layer by layer. This versatile technology can be employed to help clients with a wide range of visualization and reconstruction needs, from origin and cause determination to litigation support.

A CT scan can be used to create an accurate, permanent, and complete record of a scanned object, while avoiding many of the costs and complications associated with data gathering and evidence spoliation. With a CT scan, you can preserve or "memorialize" the internal and external features of objects for access even after destructive testing or inspections have been performed. Because the scan data is digital, it can be readily distributed to multiple parties for analysis, thereby reducing the likelihood of travel, transportation, scheduling, and chain of custody issues.

CT images often provide critical information about the cause of a failure, or valuable insights to help guide further inquiry. CT animations can elevate the way technical concepts are communicated to an audience by visually "walking" them through deconstruction of the object and showing them the internal structures and likely failure modes. Visual communication is a very powerful tool.

CT technology is virtually unmatched when it comes to visualization, deconstruction, reconstruction, and geometric dimensioning. Common investigative uses include mechanical and electrical system assemblies, with applications in the transportation, aerospace, energy, construction, manufacturing, and medical device industries.

If a 2D view of an object is needed, ESi’s CT scanner can provide a high-resolution, high-quality x-ray, from any angle or direction. Unlike a traditional x-ray machine, the CT scanner displays a real-time x-ray view of the object as it is being positioned, which helps ensure capture of the optimal image for the intended purpose.

Unmanned Aerial Systems

Sweeping video captured by unmanned aerial systems (also known as “drones”) is compelling and informative. However, did you know that the photos from drones can be used to create 3D models? At ESi, drone images are used to create detailed terrain geometry, and can be combined with data from our 3D laser scanners to create large 3D scenes with a high degree of detail. Drones can go places where humans cannot. They can also show a perspective that is otherwise difficult to perceive. We can’t fly everywhere, but we will help you determine where we can legally utilize our drones to safely capture data that may be impossible to capture otherwise.

Photography and Videography

As part of ESi’s advanced data collection offerings, our team also captures high-resolution photography and videography content to augment other important data.