The Trimble X7 Laser Scanner is similar to a piece of precision survey equipment and captures detailed images at fire, crime and accident scenes. Above Sheriff’s Sgt. Dustin Smietana tests the equipment at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. (Photos by Tyler Murphy)

CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office will be among the first law enforcement groups in New York State to employ a new cutting edge crime scene investigations tool that could redefine how police collect evidence.

The Trimble X7 Laser Scanner is similar to a piece of precision survey equipment and looks like it.

It is essentially an imaging capture device that will take vast and detailed pictures of crimes scenes with a high tech laser scanner. Typically crime and fire investigators, along with accident reconstructionists, take a number of pictures during investigations.

The pictures are used to capture relevant evidence. They can also be reviewed after and used to check sizes, distances and other metrics the photographer is able to scale in the pictures.

Investigators often review pictures of fresh crimes scenes later on as new information comes to light. If they are lucky and the photographer thorough, the pictures could reveal evidence not initially understood when the photos were taken. Even if the do reveal new evidence, it may not be clearly focused on in the images.