A team of scientists at the University of Birmingham in the UK have designed a wearable computer capable of aiding crime scene investigation on a whole new level. These devices, equipped with a digital camera, GPS locator and RFID transmitter, are about the size of a small book and are equipped with a headset that takes voice commands from the wearer to take pictures or record descriptions of evidence. This helps build a "storyboard" of the investigation, one that's more interactive and is less time-consuming because investigators don't have to repetitively label every shred of evidence.

This technology has great time-saving potential for more mundane crimes, like petty theft, where time is of the essence for investigators trying to make quick work of valuable evidence. Also, when coordinated between several different agencies, it could easily be used to keep track of massive amounts of evidence, like after a plane crash or terrorist attack. It's one more useful tool to tear down the walls of communication between federal agencies dealing with national security issues.

CSI could benefit from computer sidekick

Labels: Advanced Computing