Dr. Bruce R. Altschuler Profile

Dr. Bruce R. Altschuler

Retired

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Proceedings Article | 1 March 1998 Paper

Initial progress in the recording of crime scene simulations using 3D laser structured light imagery techniques for law enforcement and forensic applications

Bruce Altschuler, Keith Monson

Proceedings Volume 3240, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.300060

KEYWORDS: Forensic science, 3D image processing, Scene simulation, Laser applications, Virtual reality, 3D displays, Multimedia, Calibration, 3D imaging standards, Structured light

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Representation of crime scenes as virtual reality 3D computer displays promises to become a useful and important tool for law enforcement evaluation and analysis, forensic identification and pathological study and archival presentation during court proceedings. Use of these methods for assessment of evidentiary materials demands complete accuracy of reproduction of the original scene, both in data collection and in its eventual virtual reality representation. The recording of spatially accurate information as soon as possible after first arrival of law enforcement personnel is advantageous for unstable or hazardous crime scenes and reduces the possibility that either inadvertent measurement error or deliberate falsification may occur or be alleged concerning processing of a scene. Detailed measurements and multimedia archiving of critical surface topographical details in a calibrated, uniform, consistent and standardized quantitative 3D coordinate method are needed. These methods would afford professional personnel in initial contact with a crime scene the means for remote, non-contacting, immediate, thorough and unequivocal documentation of the contents of the scene. Measurements of the relative and absolute global positions of object sand victims, and their dispositions within the scene before their relocation and detailed examination, could be made. Resolution must be sufficient to map both small and large objects. Equipment must be able to map regions at varied resolution as collected from different perspectives. Progress is presented in devising methods for collecting and archiving 3D spatial numerical data from crime scenes, sufficient for law enforcement needs, by remote laser structured light and video imagery. Two types of simulation studies were done. One study evaluated the potential of 3D topographic mapping and 3D telepresence using a robotic platform for explosive ordnance disassembly. The second study involved using the laser mapping system on a fixed optical bench with simulated crime scene models of the people and furniture to assess feasibility, requirements and utility of such a system for crime scene documentation and analysis.

Proceedings Article | 26 February 1997 Paper

Hyperspeed data acquisition for 3D computer vision metrology as applied to law enforcement

Bruce Altschuler

Proceedings Volume 2962, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.267834

KEYWORDS: Video, 3D acquisition, Cameras, 3D image processing, 3D vision, Data acquisition, Robotics, Sensors, Associative arrays, Structured light

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The use of conventional video cameras at standard broadcast rates permits 30 frame per second videocapture and recording. Even when moving events are recorded with fast shuttering to preclude blurring (e.g. 1000th second) each recorded consecutive stopped action still has a 33 millisecond interval between them. The reason for this is the finite time necessary to serially dump recorded information from the microchip sensor, and reinitialize the sensor for the next capture event. By designing a parallel video chip with multiple, independently capable segments for sensor input/output/re-initialization, the duration of the interval required for unloading and resetting the entire sensor is decreased by the number of discrete segments in the chip, and the number of unloading ports to transfer data. Silicon Mountain Design, Inc. (SMD) developed a 16 parallel channel output 512 by 512 by 8 bit digital video camera, and a suitable memory buffer to absorb 256 full images. This camera has the uniquely advantageous feature that no image data is absorbed while the camera discharges its image to the parallel output ports. With this parallel video camera it is possible to record events at 1000th second (or faster) continuously, or at least until the memory buffer fills. The use of structured light stereo numerical camera technology requires the collection of a series of video images, each video-image containing a different 'exposure' of an object with a different pattern of structured laser beams projected onto it. The complete series of images creates a temporal-spatial encoding of the laser beams necessary to calculate a 3-D numerical recreation of the object. By using a parallel video camera, the collection of a complete series is limited by the time it takes to expose each video-image, plus the time it takes to change the light pattern being projected. Using a rapid ferric liquid crystal electro-optic modulator with a 1 millisecond cycle time, and an SMD parallel video camera cycling at 1 millisecond, each pattern is projected and recorded in a cycle time of 1/500th second. An entire set of patterns can then be recorded within 1/60th second. This pattern set contains all the information necessary to calculate a 3-D map. The use of hyper-speed parallel video cameras in conjunction with high speed modulators enables video data rate acquisition of all data necessary to calculate numerical digital 3-D metrological surface data. Thus a 3-D video camera can operate at the rate of a conventional 2-D video camera. The speed of actual 3-D output information is a function of the speed of the computer, a parallel processor being preferred for the task. With video rate 3-D data acquisition law enforcement could survey crime scenes, obtain evidence, watch and record people, packages, suitcases, and record disaster scenes very rapidly.

Proceedings Article | 19 February 1996 Paper

Rapid 3D video/laser sensing and digital archiving with immediate on-scene feedback for 3D crime scene/mass disaster data collection and reconstruction

Bruce Altschuler, William Oliver, Martin Altschuler

Proceedings Volume 2645, (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.233069

KEYWORDS: Robotics, 3D acquisition, Video, 3D displays, Data archive systems, Video surveillance, Data acquisition, Virtual reality, 3D image processing, Inspection

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Proceedings Article | 19 February 1996 Paper

Image processing and 3D visualization in forensic pathologic examination

William Oliver, Bruce Altschuler

Proceedings Volume 2645, (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.233050

KEYWORDS: Injuries, Image processing, Forensic science, Visualization, 3D image processing, Skin, Pathology, Photography, 3D visualizations, Tissues

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Proceedings Article | 1 September 1995 Paper

Image processing and 3D visualization in the interpretation of patterned injury of the skin

William Oliver, Bruce Altschuler

Proceedings Volume 2567, (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.218474

KEYWORDS: Injuries, Skin, Image processing, Visualization, Data acquisition, Pathology, Natural surfaces, 3D visualizations, Tissues, Photography

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Proceedings Article | 1 April 1991 Paper

Remote 3-D laser topographic mapping with dental application

Bruce Altschuler

Proceedings Volume 1380, (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48079

KEYWORDS: Cameras, Image processing, 3D image processing, Computing systems, Binary data, Solid state lasers, Signal processing, Solid state electronics, Biostereometrics, Structured light

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Showing 5 of 6 publications

SPIE Conference Volume | 29 October 1981

Three-Dimensional Machine Perception

Conference Committee Involvement (1)

Three-Dimensional Machine Perception

21 April 1981 | Washington, D.C., United States

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