What better type of competition than one in which the winner is public safety? In western China, teams from across the nation competed against each other to see who could best investigate fire and arson scenes using the best tools available.
Teams from seven provinces in China — including Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Sichuan — were equipped with the latest forensic technology, including, of course, FARO® 3D laser scanning solutions.
Hosted by the Fire Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Emergency Management, this event was the first large-scale, full-scene and full-element fire investigation competition held in the country. Furthermore, it was the first time that a large number of new investigation equipment and technologies were put to the test in a simulation scenario.
How was the competition structured?
The simulation environment was assembled in an abandoned farmers’ market. Rows of houses were carefully set up as examination rooms. Abandoned warehouses and buildings were also set up as fire scenes — all of which were burned out by real fire.
First-line fire investigators from across China were part of the judging panel and set up some common scenarios of fire and arson scenes: supermarkets, hotels, karaoke bars, shops, houses, warehouses and more. Furthermore, the judges put in place several interfering factors, which greatly increased the difficulty of the accident investigation.
Judging criteria at the competition included eight categories: investigation and inquiry, video analysis, on-site photography, on-site video, plane drawing, on-site modeling, electronic material evidence extraction, recovery and analysis and case file production. Teams were also judged on organization and command, team cooperation, actual investigation operations, professional foundation and skills.
How did FARO help investigators collect evidence in tough conditions?
As fire investigators know, the aftermath of a fire is extremely unsafe. There may be toxic fumes and materials lingering in the air. And the scene may be dark, wet and unstable. When seconds and minutes count for so much, using the most advanced technology is essential to capture evidence accurately and as quickly as possible, thus limiting human exposure and evidence contamination.
At the fire competition site in western China, workers got to use some of the world’s most advanced fire and arson investigation technology: a FARO 3D laser scanner. With it, they were able to collect data and evidence, saving all the physical evidence from the scene and digitally restoring its original appearance so that investigators could analyze what happened.
In conclusion: Exact 3D evidence of even the most complex fire scenes
The competition was wildly successful.
Furthermore, as the first competition of its kind hosted by China’s Fire Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Emergency Management, teams were able to focus on three pillars of investigating fire and arson scenes: inspecting the causes, studying the lessons from the incident and finding the parties responsible for its occurrence.
With FARO’s 3D laser scanning solutions, fire investigation teams were able to promote a more scientific, efficient, standardized and professional set of processes and methods. The real winner was community safety, security and knowledge that will play a guiding role in future building projects and well-being.