For this week’s installment, we’re going to take a quick look at one of the most-used tools in my kit.

Software I use on nearly every case

As a private recon, I’m generally hired a couple years after a collision. As such, related roadway evidence rarely remains and sometimes the involved vehicles have vanished as well. For that reason, I usually find myself using photogrammetry to model vehicle damage, establish final rest positions, and/or map tire marks, gouges, scrapes, etc.

The process has become more robust and definitive with the prevalence of laser scanners, and PhotoModeler has continued to develop their software to make working with point clouds more straightforward. Specifically, PhotoModeler Premium is designed to work with point clouds and is available for about $3k (permanent license) or $150 per month. The monthly allows you to essentially rent the program when a photogrammetric need arises. I’m a firm believer in the usefulness of photogrammetry…I think it’s a huge benefit to many analyses, and once clients witness your capabilities, a huge benefit to your business.

Pairing point clouds with photogrammetry analyses also allows you to make sweet exhibits like the one below, which shows a site inspection point cloud fading over a scene photograph (quality had to be reduced significantly for email). In my experience, juries quickly understand the basics of how you modeled the scene evidence once they see such an exhibit.

Thanks for taking the time to read along, I hope you have a stellar weekend!

Lou Peck
​Lightpoint | Axiom​

P.S. I'll be teaching a motorcycle recon course for Northwestern this November in Illinois. Check out the registration details here if you're keen to join in on the fun!