Forensic

Chain of custody isn't just for physical evidence in bags. A digital capture has one too — a documented trail from the field to the exhibit showing that what's offered is what was collected, unaltered. Here's what that looks like for aerial imagery.

Roadway evidence is perishable. Tire marks, fluid trails, debris patterns, and other critical physical facts can be driven over, washed away, cleaned up, or permanently altered long before attorneys and experts know they need them. Rapid aerial documentation preserves a measurable, scene-wide record—giving reconstructionists, investigators, and legal teams the ability to revisit the evidence when the questions become more complex.

Discover how topographic mapping and aerial LiDAR can support active and cold case investigations. LiDAR-derived terrain models remove vegetation to reveal trails, drainage features, access routes, and subtle ground conditions that can help investigators prioritize search areas, evaluate historical landscapes, and develop a more informed investigative strategy.

Most firms own one sensor and recommend it for everything. Here's the honest breakdown — when you need LiDAR, when photogrammetry isn't just cheaper but better, and how to tell which question you actually have.