This post has been republished via RSS; it originally appeared at: Windows Blog.
Black Marble, a member of Microsoft’s HoloLens Mixed Reality Partner Program (MRPP), is one of many agencies creating ground-breaking applications for HoloLens. It has seen the potential benefits that mixed reality brings to the enterprise, by blending virtual and physical worlds, enabling revolutionary experiences to improve business processes and efficiency.
Through the use of HoloLens, employees are able to transform the manner in which they communicate, create, collaborate, and explore to provide a better customer experience, improve business collaboration and much much more.
Through Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Black Marble has developed an award-winning application, tuServ, that’s transforming today’s approach to digitizing modern policing. It wanted to push the boundaries of what is possible with a Universal Windows Application, and has developed an innovative proof of concept solution that gives police forces the ability to capture content at a scene of crime, in real time.
tuServ’s Scene of Crime application has been developed with operational police officers, for operational police officers. It is revolutionising how both officers out in the field, and staff in the police station, are approaching the scene of a crime. Today, evidence contamination is a primary concern for crime scene investigation teams, and transparency in the investigation process is key for maintaining public confidence in police activity. Using Microsoft HoloLens, officers in the field can place virtual markers, trace 3D objects, and gather multi-media evidence eliminating the risk of disturbing the physical evidence at a scene. The aim of tuServ is to provide crime scene investigators more accurate and tangible evidence, and virtually transports officers back to the scene of a crime. Here, markers placed, evidence gathered, and object mesh captured can be viewed as they were at the time of investigation, giving a genuine view and understanding of the scene.
However, it’s not just officers at the scene of a crime who reap the benefits of HoloLens applications. Back at the station, officers can view the captured media evidence with tuServ via Windows devices in real time or on demand, or through the tuServ HoloLens Command and Control App. This bolsters a force’s ability to collaborate even when working remotely, and enhances communication by empowering officers to not only be verbal, but also demonstrative. The application is truly redefining the ways in which police forces operate, ensuring improved data quality and the efficient use of resources. Yet still, Command and Control Units are empowered to go one step further. tuServ’s HoloLens Command and Control App gives units the possibility to go completely portable, harnessing the power of HoloLens to view officers and incidents on a map interface, giving a comprehensive overview of everything happening in the area.
Nick Lyall, Superintendent, The Bedfordshire Police says, “As a public order and firearms commander I can say that without doubt its use, through tuServ, will revolutionize policing for years to come. As a detective I can also say that its ability to scan crime scenes and create a mapped 3D version will allow for a reduction in cross-contamination issues and allow for investigators to visualize in real time the scenes of major crime.”
“The vision and innovation of Black Marble is ground-breaking, and I look forward to taking this forward of behalf of UK policing and policing worldwide.”
— Nick Lyall, Superintendent, The Bedfordshire Police
Communication, collaboration and cooperation are the basis of any police operation, and through tuServ’s HoloLens Command and Control App, Command and Control units are rapidly mobilised to react to an incident at a moment’s notice. Units can assign officers to incidents, communicate with those on the ground, and build a clear and inclusive view of every component in play at a scene. Combined, these features deliver the agility that a force needs to be responsive and reactive in a high-pressure environment where every minute counts.
This is just the beginning for mixed reality in the sector, with HoloLens applications holding real potential for the future of policing and crime scene investigation. By transforming data into visual information, HoloLens is expanding the horizons for new and exciting applications that can revolutionize the ways we think and work.
Visit HoloLens.com to learn how other industries and customers are applying the transformative power of mixed reality.