New tools for crime scene investigation
Year:
2024
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 and Project Management
:
Nils Achenbach
Professor
:
Thomas Degn
UID Tutoring
:
Johan Gustavsson, Tord Berggren
What if there were a professional tool for police officers to secure evidence in challenging weather conditions?
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.
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.
