The investigation begins

Warsaw Police Department is hosting a photogrammetry class for 10 officers from around the state this week. The class is offered through the Indiana Association of Certified Accident Investigators. Warsaw Police Department Lt. Kip Shuter is president and National Regional Director.

The course is instructed by Indiana State Police Sgt. Tom Merkling from the Fort Wane Post. Officers from South Bend, Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Delaware County, Lafayette and West Lafayette departments, as well as ISP Fort Wayne and Peru posts are participating.

This class instructs investigators in iWitness, a close range photogrammetry program, where photographs of a scene are taken through the use of a scale in the photo. The program then triangulates the items in the photograph. The same method can also be used at crime scenes. The purpose of the program is to have investigators get in and out of a scene, through photography documentation.

Shuter explained the program allows officers to place markers at a scene, photograph the scene and then reference the photos to another photograph. The computer program maps out the scene to scale. “It’s another tool,” in investigation, he stated. Previously if additional documentation was needed or missed it could not be obtained again or equipment would need to be re-set.

“It allows for quicker scene investigation for traffic incident management so the roads can be opened back up quicker.” stated Shuter.

The markers, containing letters from the alphabet and white dots, will show up in the software as green dots as reference points. Additionally two known distances or measurements are taken.

Merkling stated the program helps reconstructionist as well and is part of an in time initiative for Indiana to clear roadways quicker of accident scenes. He noted in the past it has taken three to four hours for an accident investigation, this cuts it down to within an hour. “It is quicker and safer for us and the motoring public,” he stated.

Those taking the course utilize standard cameras and computers. The cameras are calibrated to the computer program. Thus part of the program is not only learning how to mark the scene and how to photograph a scene, but also how to use the cameras correctly. The program can be used with any type of camera — Nikon, Olympus and Cannon, however there are some “quirks” being found in each brand, that need solutions.

This is the third class offered in the last two years. Previous classes have been held in Lafayette, Indianapolis and other locations.

Shuter stated himself and Lewis Fuller on the Warsaw Police Department. along with the county’s Fatal Alcohol Crash Team have also received training.