Prior to the total station, the evidence was measured with a tape measure and recorded on a measurement sheet. The total station now saves the investigator time with increased accuracy. Studies done in other states indicate that officers are able to gather one-third more data points in about half the time it took to measure by hand. Typically, using the total station saves between one and two hours of measuring time per accident. The total station can be set up off the roadway.
Evidence is located by an investigator holding a pole with a prism over a location of evidence.
The investigator with the pole moves to another evidence location and the process continues. After the evidence points have been collected, they are transferred to mapping software and a scale diagram of the scene is done by a computer. Once the computer has printed out the scale drawing from the map software, the drawing is then imported into a CAD program. In the CAD program, adding symbols, legends, and measurement scales enhances the drawing. The final product is not only a very professional and accurate drawing, but is done in less than half the time compared to using the tape measures and drawing the scene by hand.