Multi-Platform Scan Integration: El Paso’s Enduring Memory

On August 3, 2019, a white supremacist gunman carried out a devastating attack at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, targeting the Hispanic community in a horrific act of domestic terrorism that claimed 23 lives and injured 22 others. Multi-Platform Scan Integration: El Paso’s Enduring Memory explores the collaborative efforts of the El Paso Police Department, the FBI Operational Projects Unit, and the Texas Rangers to meticulously document this complex and emotionally charged crime scene using advanced 3D laser scanning technology. This presentation offers forensic professionals a comprehensive examination of the innovative process of integrating scan data from two distinct manufacturers’ platforms to produce a unified, high-fidelity 3D model critical for the prosecution of the shooter.

The presentation delves into the significant technical challenges encountered, including aligning datasets, ensuring cross-platform compatibility, and maintaining data integrity under the intense demands of a high-stakes investigation. Attendees will gain an inside perspective on the practical lessons learned by scanner operators, such as strategies for resolving data inconsistencies, streamlining multi-platform workflows, and optimizing spatial accuracy to enhance evidence analysis. The resulting 3D model not only provided investigative clarity and supported courtroom visualization but also serves as a powerful tool for preserving the enduring memory of El Paso’s tragedy. By reconstructing the scene with precision, this work honors the victims and their families, transforming raw data into a respectful tribute that underscores the human toll of the event.

This session will share actionable insights into the application of multi-platform 3D scan integration in forensic science, offering techniques for tackling complex crime scenes while maintaining sensitivity to their profound human impact. It highlights the evolving role of advanced technology in forensic investigations, bridging technical innovation with the solemn duty of memorializing tragedy, and equips attendees with strategies to apply these methods in their own work, ensuring both justice and remembrance are served.