Crime 360: How Police Solve Cases With Laser Technology
A&E's documentary series showcases cutting-edge 3D crime scene investigation
A&E's Crime 360 is a documentary series that brings viewers into active criminal investigations across the United States, where law enforcement agencies deploy cutting-edge technology to solve complex cases. Over two seasons and 29 episodes, the show documents how police departments are transforming crime scene investigation through advanced 3D laser scanning and digital visualization.
The centerpiece of Crime 360 is the Leica Geosystems ScanStation—a 3D laser scanner capable of capturing millions of measurements in just minutes. This technology creates permanent digital records of crime scenes, allowing investigators to preserve crucial evidence in unprecedented detail. Rather than relying solely on photographs and physical measurements, detectives can now return to a scene virtually, extract new data, and analyze details that might have been missed during the initial investigation.
The show features real cases investigated by major law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, Albuquerque Police Department, and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. These agencies use the technology across multiple investigation types: homicides, officer-involved shootings, crash investigations, and even terrorism prevention and protection operations.
Beyond preservation, the digital crime scene data serves a critical role in the courtroom. Investigators use the 3D measurements to create detailed jury exhibits and CGI visualizations that help jurors understand complex crime scene layouts and spatial relationships. This technological approach transforms how evidence is presented, making abstract investigation details tangible and comprehensible to those deciding guilt or innocence.
The 360-degree digital photography integrated with laser scanning creates a complete spatial record. Rather than examining flat photographs or relying on written descriptions, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jurors can examine the crime scene from multiple angles and perspectives. This level of detail has profound implications for how justice is pursued.
