Infrared Module

Infrared Module

New tools for crime scene investigation

Year:

2019

Type:

Research

,

Concepting, Industrial Design, Prototyping

How might we design a professional tool that enables crime scene investigators to protect evidence from extreme weather conditions while minimizing steps of use and ensuring a compact footprint for storage in limited vehicle trunk space?

About the Project

In October 2021, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the local police school at Umeå University and specialists from the Swedish police’s forensic department. The project aimed to identify design opportunities that enhance the operational workflow of crime scene investigators, particularly in the extreme weather conditions of northern Scandinavia. Engaging directly with police officers and forensic specialists, I gained firsthand insights into their challenges, needs, and field experiences.


Collaborators

Design

:

Nils Achenbach

Tutoring

:

Prof. Wolfgang Schabbach

Industry Partner

:

Brose Fahrzeugteile

Defining quotes from the research

"If you look at a patrol car you will see how much stuff we have to bring with us. We have shields,  first aid kits, we have warning signs… Stuff that has nothing to do with forensics. Apart from crime scene investigation, we have other jobs to do! It’s not much space, because the back seats have to be free."

“Sometimes we work in -30° and a snowstorm. You have to deal with that, we can’t bring the nice weather with us. If you have a dead body 3km away from any road, well then you have to walk! Thats the way it is.” 

“Rule number one: Just don’t touch anything. Secure the place and don’t run around searching for evidence."

"When its dark and shitty weather, You have to adapt. Find a solution. Work with the situation and work in a team."

Defining quotes from the research

"If you look at a patrol car you will see how much stuff we have to bring with us. We have shields,  first aid kits, we have warning signs… Stuff that has nothing to do with forensics. Apart from crime scene investigation, we have other jobs to do! It’s not much space, because the back seats have to be free."

“Sometimes we work in -30° and a snowstorm. You have to deal with that, we can’t bring the nice weather with us. If you have a dead body 3km away from any road, well then you have to walk! Thats the way it is.” 

“Rule number one: Just don’t touch anything. Secure the place and don’t run around searching for evidence."

"When its dark and shitty weather, You have to adapt. Find a solution. Work with the situation and work in a team."

What if there were a professional tool for police officers to secure evidence in challenging weather conditions?

The Objective

One key finding was the lack of professional tools designed to protect critical evidence from harsh environments such as rain, snow, ice, and wind, while also shielding the scene from the public eye.

The requirements

The product had to be rugged, weather-resistant, and reliable in rain, snow, and low-light conditions. It needed to be portable, quick to deploy, and durable enough to withstand rough handling. Most importantly, it had to enable secure, accurate evidence collection while remaining intuitive to use under pressure, even with gloves or in challenging environments.

The way forward: Prototyping

This project was highly hands-on, involving extensive prototyping, testing, and iteration to create a fully functional, field-ready prototype. Exploring materials, refining collapsibility, and stress-testing the setup process were key parts of the development phase, making this project not only a design challenge but also a very fun hands-on softgood protoyping exercise.


Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations

The Objective

One key finding was the lack of professional tools designed to protect critical evidence from harsh environments such as rain, snow, ice, and wind, while also shielding the scene from the public eye.

The requirements

The product had to be rugged, weather-resistant, and reliable in rain, snow, and low-light conditions. It needed to be portable, quick to deploy, and durable enough to withstand rough handling. Most importantly, it had to enable secure, accurate evidence collection while remaining intuitive to use under pressure, even with gloves or in challenging environments.

The way forward: Prototyping

This project was highly hands-on, involving extensive prototyping, testing, and iteration to create a fully functional, field-ready prototype. Exploring materials, refining collapsibility, and stress-testing the setup process were key parts of the development phase, making this project not only a design challenge but also a very fun hands-on softgood protoyping exercise.


Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations

The Result

The result of this project was the Evidence Protection Kit - a portable, ultra-lightweight solution designed to shield crime scene evidence from environmental factors while maintaining a professional and authoritative visual presence.

The kit consists of two standalone, foldable pop-up tents made from waterproof materials, each measuring 100x90x50 cm. These units can be zipped together to create a larger, body-sized protective cover (200x90x50 cm).

Designed for rapid deployment, the tents set up in under 25 seconds for a single unit and 50 seconds for the dual configuration. Integrated spring metal bands sewn into the rim allow the entire system to be compactly folded down to just 35x35 cm, with a total weight of only 1.6 kg, ensuring effortless transport in any police vehicle. The tents can be secured against wind using tent pegs or by weighing down the side flaps with heavy objects such as traffic pylons.

Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Batch.Works product catalogue book on a work top with a graphic printed image on the front
Batch.Works product catalogue book on a work top with a graphic printed image on the front
Batch.Works product catalogue book on a work top with a graphic printed image on the front
Batch.Works product catalogue book on a work top with a graphic printed image on the front
Batch.Works product catalogue book on a work top with a graphic printed image on the front
Batch.Works product catalogue book on a work top with a graphic printed image on the front
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations
Streetside billboard with flyposters of the Batch.Works brand and illustrations

Visuals

The final project visuals you see on this website were created by combining real-life images of the functional prototype with a 3D-scanned CAD model and photoshopped 2D graphics. I began by taking studio photographs of the physical model, carefully documenting the camera position, tilt/roll, focal length, and lighting setup. The 3D scan data was then imported into Keyshot, where I accurately recreated the original camera and light positions using the photographs as reference overlays. Finally, I merged the rendered output with the isolated photography in Affinity, ensuring perfect alignment. Graphics, additional textures, and final detailing - such as wrinkles and surface realism - were added using the original images as a base.

Thank you

Thank you to our incredible collaboration partners at the Swedish Police and the Umeå University Department of Forensic Sciences for sharing exclusive insights into your work. Your openness, curiosity, and guidance throughout the project truly made this feel so special! 🚨

Are you interested in learning more about the project, the tools I used, challenges I faced and the lessons learned? Contact me for the full project documentation that dives deeper into my design process.

Say hej! ✉️

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