{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,1]],"date-time":"2026-11-01T11:27:26Z","timestamp":1793532446336,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":15,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788566400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788566400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100006447","name":"University of Zurich","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100006447","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Forensic Sci Med Pathol"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Accurate injury documentation is essential in forensic medicine, however conventional two-dimensional imaging methods are limited in their ability to capture spatial morphology and enable retrospective three-dimensional (3D) reassessment. Although multicamera photogrammetry has significantly advanced forensic surface documentation, challenges remain when imaging with low texture, homogeneous coloration, or reflective properties. This study presents an integrated workflow combining multicamera photogrammetry with projection-assisted acquisition using a digital spray mode to improve surface reconstruction under optically challenging conditions. Technical feasibility was evaluated using a handbag, a mannequin, and a voluntary participant with simulated injuries applied as adhesive tattoos, acquired using the Botspot full-body scanner NEO system. The workflow generated anatomically coherent full-body 360\u00b0 models with high-fidelity texture representation, enabling clear visualization, identification and retrospective 3D measurement of simulated injuries. Compared with conventional passive acquisition, the digital spray mode improved reconstruction completeness and feature-matching stability. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating enhanced acquisition techniques with advanced visualization methods in a unified forensic workflow and highlight the potential of non-contact projection-assisted technologies for documenting optically challenging surfaces, including visually homogeneous or reflective regions of human skin, without requiring physical surface treatment that could interfere with forensic evidence. In addition, image datasets acquired within this workflow were processed using 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS), a radiance field-based rendering method enabling efficient real-time rendering and high-fidelity visualization of reconstructed scenes. While current 3DGS representations are primarily optimized for visualization rather than metrically validated surface reconstruction, the technique demonstrates considerable potential for future forensic applications, particularly in interactive documentation, immersive case review, and advanced 3D visualization workflows.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-026-01353-z","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T11:55:46Z","timestamp":1788609346000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Next-generation forensic 3D surface documentation with projection-assisted digital spray\u00a0multicamera photogrammetry and 3D gaussian splatting"],"prefix":"10.1007","author":[{"given":"Michael","family":"Thali","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jasmin","family":"Herr","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9004-4362","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dominic","family":"Gascho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"1353_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"751","DOI":"10.1007\/s00414-016-1499-9","volume":"131","author":"C Villa","year":"2017","unstructured":"Villa C. Forensic 3D documentation of skin injuries. Int J Legal Med. 2017;131:751\u20139. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00414-016-1499-9.","journal-title":"Int J Legal Med"},{"key":"1353_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"422","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-021-00393-x","volume":"17","author":"F Massini","year":"2021","unstructured":"Massini F, Ebert L, Ampanozi G, et al. Comparison of superficial wound documentation using 2D forensic photography, 3D photogrammetry, Botscan\u00a9 and VR with real-life examination. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2021;17:422\u201330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12024-021-00393-x.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Med Pathol"},{"key":"1353_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"177","DOI":"10.1016\/S0379-0738(03)00021-5","volume":"132","author":"MJ Thali","year":"2003","unstructured":"Thali MJ, Braun M, Brueschweiler W, Dirnhofer R. Morphological imprint\u2019: determination of the injury-causing weapon from the wound morphology using forensic 3D\/CAD-supported photogrammetry. Forensic Sci Int. 2003;132:177\u201381. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0379-0738(03)00021-5.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Int"},{"key":"1353_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1016\/S0379-0738(03)00006-9","volume":"132","author":"W Br\u00fcschweiler","year":"2003","unstructured":"Br\u00fcschweiler W, Braun M, Dirnhofer R, Thali MJ. Analysis of patterned injuries and injury-causing instruments with forensic 3D\/CAD supported photogrammetry (FPHG): an instruction manual for the documentation process. Forensic Sci Int. 2003;132:130\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0379-0738(03)00006-9.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Int"},{"key":"1353_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forsciint.2016.02.003","volume":"261","author":"A Leipner","year":"2016","unstructured":"Leipner A, Baumeister R, Thali MJ, et al. Multi-camera system for 3D forensic documentation. Forensic Sci Int. 2016;261:123\u20138. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.forsciint.2016.02.003.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Int"},{"key":"1353_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"586","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-020-00282-9","volume":"16","author":"T Sieberth","year":"2020","unstructured":"Sieberth T, Ebert LC, Gentile S, Fliss B. Clinical forensic height measurements on injured people using a multi camera device for 3D documentation. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2020;16:586\u201394. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12024-020-00282-9.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Med Pathol"},{"key":"1353_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forsciint.2022.111286","volume":"335","author":"L Benz","year":"2022","unstructured":"Benz L, Ampanozi G, Franckenberg S, et al. Forensic examination of living persons in 3D models. Forensic Sci Int. 2022;335:111286. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.forsciint.2022.111286.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Int"},{"key":"1353_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.1016\/j.forsciint.2018.04.012","volume":"288","author":"R Michienzi","year":"2018","unstructured":"Michienzi R, Meier S, Ebert LC, et al. Comparison of forensic photo-documentation to a photogrammetric solution using the multi-camera system Botscan. Forensic Sci Int. 2018;288:46\u201352. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.forsciint.2018.04.012.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Int"},{"key":"1353_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fcomp.2026.1755361","volume":"8","author":"S Cho","year":"2026","unstructured":"Cho S, Woo T. Accuracy of three-dimensional gaussian splatting for virtual crime scene reconstruction. Front Comput Sci. 2026;8:1755361. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fcomp.2026.1755361.","journal-title":"Front Comput Sci"},{"key":"1353_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2819","DOI":"10.1007\/s00414-025-03466-6","volume":"139","author":"F Dedouit","year":"2025","unstructured":"Dedouit F, Ducloyer M, Elifritz J, et al. The current state of forensic imaging \u2013 perspectives. Int J Legal Med. 2025;139:2819\u201327. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00414-025-03466-6.","journal-title":"Int J Legal Med"},{"key":"1353_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/jimaging11020065","author":"D Rangelov","year":"2025","unstructured":"Rangelov D, Waanders S, Waanders K, et al. Impact of data capture methods on 3D reconstruction with gaussian splatting. J Imaging. 2025. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jimaging11020065.","journal-title":"J Imaging"},{"key":"1353_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/apm.70215","volume":"134","author":"H Fukuda","year":"2026","unstructured":"Fukuda H, Ebert L, Kreitmeier F, et al. From 3D surface documentation to visualization in forensic practice: a review of current methods and emerging technologies. APMIS. 2026;134:e70215. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/apm.70215.","journal-title":"APMIS"},{"key":"1353_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"34","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-016-9837-2","volume":"13","author":"S Kottner","year":"2017","unstructured":"Kottner S, Ebert LC, Ampanozi G, et al. VirtoScan - a mobile, low-cost photogrammetry setup for fast post-mortem 3D full-body documentations in x-ray computed tomography and autopsy suites. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2017;13:34\u201343. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12024-016-9837-2.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Med Pathol"},{"key":"1353_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"198","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-019-00095-5","volume":"15","author":"S Kottner","year":"2019","unstructured":"Kottner S, Schaerli S, F\u00fcrst M, et al. VirtoScan-on-Rails - an automated 3D imaging system for fast post-mortem whole-body surface documentation at autopsy tables. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2019;15:198\u2013212. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12024-019-00095-5.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Med Pathol"},{"key":"1353_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s12024-026-01242-5","author":"M Thali","year":"2026","unstructured":"Thali M, Gascho D. Advancing forensic medicine through AI-based injury detection: innovation as the catalyst for forensic 3D avatars and translation as the pathway toward courtroom-grade digital twins. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2026. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12024-026-01242-5.","journal-title":"Forensic Sci Med Pathol"}],"container-title":["Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s12024-026-01353-z.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s12024-026-01353-z","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s12024-026-01353-z.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]],"date-time":"2026-09-05T11:55:47Z","timestamp":1788609347000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s12024-026-01353-z"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]]},"references-count":15,"alternative-id":["1353"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12024-026-01353-z","relation":{},"ISSN":["1556-2891"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1556-2891","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,5]]},"assertion":[{"value":"21 May 2026","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"1 September 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"5 September 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"N\/A.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The study involved a single volunteer participant, who is also a co-author of this manuscript. The participant provided informed consent to take part in the pilot study.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","label":"Consent to participate","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The participant, who is also a co-author of this manuscript, has given consent for the results of the pilot study to be published.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","label":"Consent for publication","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Jasmin Herr is affiliated with Vertex GmbH, a distributor of the Botspot scanning systems used in this study. The company provided technical access to the system but was not involved in the scientific evaluation or interpretation of the results. No comparative assessment with other commercial systems was performed.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","label":"Conflict of interest","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}}]}}