CASE REPORT GENERAL Isabella Aquila, 1 M.D., Ph.D.; Matteo A. Sacco, 1 M.D.; Giuseppe Aquila, 1 M.S.; Roberto Raffaele, 1 M.S.; Alfredo Manca, 2 Giuseppe Capoccia, 2 Fabrizio Cordasco, 1 M.D.; and Pietrantonio Ricci, 1 M.D., Ph.D. The Reconstruction of the Dynamic of a Murder Using 3D Motion Capture and 3D Model Buildings: The Investigation of a Dubious Forensic Case † ABSTRACT: Photographic surveying is fundamental to crime scene investigation. It is performed using 2D images; however, this method is limited because it does not offer a detailed view. We present a 3D (three-dimensional) experimental model that has clarified unsolved aspects of a homicide. A woman was found dead in her home. Considering the large number of injuries on the victim, signs of the use of two weap- ons, and the absence of traces of the killer/s, several hypotheses about the dynamics and the number of offenders were made. The forensic sur- veys suggested that a single offender had used two weapons at the same time, but this hypothesis was considered to be impossible by investigators. Our 3D model allowed us to experimentally reproduce the murder and compare various dynamics. The model was used as evi- dence in Court to prove the hypothesis of a single killer and demonstrate that no other people were involved. KEYWORDS: forensic science, virtual crime scene, 3D motion capture, dynamics reconstruction, 3D model buildings, forensic injury biomechanics Crime scene investigation is fundamental in forensic cases (1). During the inspection of the crime scene, the forensic sci- entists collect scientific evidence in order to analyze the phases of a crime, preserve trace evidence, and search for the identity of the killer. This analysis begins with an overall view of the crime scene before investigating the finer details and consists of (i) a detailed analysis of the scene with photographic and planimetric reproductions; (ii) a search for weapons or traces originating from the killer; and (iii) examination of the body with a description of position, posture, integrity, clothing, and injuries (2). Imaging is essential during the inspection to crystallize the scene. Photographic surveys are generally performed using 2D images; however, a 2D photograph is not always able to provide clear details of the scene. This leads to a great loss of informa- tion but also causes many difficulties for investigators or judges who were not present at the scene. New technologies have been introduced to improve the work of the forensic scientists, which include 3D printing, scanners, cameras, photogrammetry, satellite navigation programs, and virtual autopsies (3,4). So far, very few forensic studies in the literature have proposed the use of a 3D method for reproducing a crime (5,6). Crime solving always requires a systematic methodology, which must be used during forensic investigations and especially during the inspection of the scene. It is indispensable when the study of the scene is complex; for example, when there are mul- tiple crime scenes (primary, secondary etc.) (7),—the murder weapon is not found on the scene, there are no traces of the killer on the scene, the victim’s injuries are numerous, or there are signs of the use of two or more weapons. In these cases, investigators may have difficulty in identifying the number and identity of the offenders and therefore in reconstructing the dynamics of the murder. This paper aims to introduce a new virtual method for study- ing a crime scene. It consists of a three-dimensional virtual model based on motion capture. Motion capture (known by the abbreviation MOCAP) is the recording of the movement of the human body (or other movements) allowing for virtual reproduc- tion (8). The device used for motion capture is a photogramme- try system made up of different light emitting cameras and spherical reflective markers on the subject to be recorded. Recording cameras send many inputs from the markers to the computers that, thanks to an algorithm, are able to recreate a vir- tual picture reproducing subject’s body and facial movements. Even objects can be recreated in the 3D model, using measure- ments from the real scene in order to create a faithful reproduc- tion of the setting. We describe an experimental method that 1 University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germa- neto, 88100, Calabria, Italy. 2 Court of Crotone, Corso Mazzini, 88900 Crotone, Calabria, Italy. Corresponding author: Isabella Aquila, M.D., Ph.D. E-mail: isabella.aquila@hotmail.it † Presented in part at 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 19-24, 2018, in Seattle, WA. Received 14 Jan. 2019; and in revised form 13 Feb. 2019; accepted 13 Feb. 2019. 1 © 2019 American Academy of Forensic Sciences J Forensic Sci, 2019 doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14041 Available online at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com