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Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes with Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios

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Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes with Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2018 Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes With Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios Kevin Gidusko University of Central Florida Part of the Anthropology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Gidusko, Kevin, "Testing the Capability of Close-Range Photogrammetry to Document Outdoor Forensic Scenes With Skeletal Remains Using Mock Scenarios" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 6026. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/6026 TESTING THE CAPABILITY OF CLOSE-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY TO DOCUMENT OUTDOOR FORENSIC SCENES WITH SKELETAL REMAINS USING MOCK SCENARIOS by KEVIN A. GIDUSKO BA Anthropology University of Central Florida, 2011 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology in the College of Science at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2018 Major Professor: John J. Schultz © 2018 Kevin A. Gidusko ii ABSTRACT More rigorous methodological protocols are needed to document outdoor forensic scenes containing skeletal remains. However, law enforcement protocols rarely provide specific guidelines for processing these scenes. Regardless, the need to preserve contextual information at crime scenes is of paramount importance and it is worth exploring new technological applications that will allow for better documentation. Close-range photogrammetry (CRP) is one option for outdoor scene documentation, more prominently utilized in archaeological contexts, that may provide forensic archaeologists with a tool to better document these scenarios via 3D modeling. To test the efficacy of CRP as documentation tool three mock scenarios representing common outdoor scenes were created using faux osteological material: a close scatter of osteological remains in a pine flatwood setting, a wide scatter of osteological remains in the same setting, and the partial excavation of skeletonized remains. Images were collected using a digital camera and processed using Agisoft Photoscan Professional. A series of variables were tested in successive iterations of data capture for each scenario to determine best practices for overall accuracy: camera images captured by hand versus fixed to a tripod, scale bar positioning, and number of images captured. Accuracy was determined via final root mean square error values and through a comparison between real-world to virtual measurements. Results show that CRP is a cost and time-effective method of documenting contextual data at a scene via the creation of 3D models and scaled orthomosaic images. This method is most useful for the documentation of excavations owing to the controlled and contrasted sub-surface in comparison to the subject material. The two scatter scenarios offered additional challenges due to the complexity of the ground covering, however models nonetheless provided accurate contextual detail and errors may be mitigated through proper data capture. There was little difference in the iii variables for image capture, scale bar placement, or number of images. Instead, the quality of images, image capture method, and post-processing operations proved to be more important. Due to the ease of use and the ability to convey best practices for data capture, the utilization of CRP for outdoor scene documentation is recommended as a valuable addition to current forensic documentation protocols. Future research should focus on the utilization of actual osteological material as a proxy for forensic scenarios as well as study the applicability of CRP to assist in documenting taphonomic modifications. iv To my mother, who put me on this path. And to Patty, who chose to travel this path with me. v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS While the work of putting together a thesis often feels like a solitary task, it is anything but. I owe great amounts of appreciation to the many people who helped me complete this work. Thank you to my advisor, Dr. John Schultz, for his dogged persistence and support through the years as well as his commitment to working with a non-traditional student who was trying to have a career on the side. He is undoubtedly one pillar of my success. Thank you to my committee members, Dr. John Walker and Dr. Scott Branting; both of whom offered incisive views on my research which allowed me to expand the scope of what I was trying to accomplish. Thank you to Mason Guinto and Lexie Jones, fellow graduate students who made field work a possibility. Much appreciation also goes to Mr. Wayne Harrod, who provided access to the research site used for data collection. For much of the time I was in graduate school I had the pleasure of working at the Florida Public Archaeology Network under Sarah E. Miller. A special thanks to her for consistently ensuring I could fit grad school into my work schedule and for her care and concern about my well-being through it all. Perhaps most importantly, thank you to two astounding women in my life: my mother, Nancy Gidusko, and Patrisha Meyers, my future wife. Both provided unparalleled support to me throughout this process and are the other pillars of any success I have attained. I would not have begun nor would have I persisted without them. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER TWO: THE APPLICATION OF CLOSE-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY TO OUTDOOR FORENSIC EXCAVATIONS OF SKELETONIZED REMAINS ........................... 5 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 Background ............................................................................................................................. 7 CRP and 3D Applications in Archaeology ......................................................................... 9 3D Applications in Forensics ............................................................................................ 12 Material and Methods ........................................................................................................... 18 Faux Skeletal Material ...................................................................................................... 18 Research Site ..................................................................................................................... 18 Hardware ........................................................................................................................... 19 Data Collection ................................................................................................................. 20 Pre- and Post-Processing................................................................................................... 25 Defining Accuracy ............................................................................................................ 34 Results ................................................................................................................................... 37 Model 1 ............................................................................................................................. 37 Model 2 ............................................................................................................................. 38 Model 3 ............................................................................................................................. 40 Model 4 ............................................................................................................................. 42 Discussion ............................................................................................................................. 44 Suggested Protocols for On-Site CRP Documentation of Forensic Excavations ............. 50 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 55 CHAPTER THREE: THE APPLICATION OF CLOSE-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY FOR OUTDOOR FORENSIC SCENES WITH SKELETAL SURFACE SCATTER ....................... 57 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 57 Background ........................................................................................................................... 60 Why Crime Scene Photography Matters........................................................................... 60 Close Range Photogrammetry .......................................................................................... 63 Use of Close-Range Photogrammetry in Archaeology ..................................................... 64 Materials and Methods .........................................................................................................
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