Drone Mapping for Law Enforcement: Faster, Safer Investigations

Drones are rapidly becoming indispensable tools for law enforcement, not only for real-time situational awareness and Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs, but also for post-incident documentation and analysis. A recent case study from Blue Marble Geographics, featuring the Windham, Maine Police Department, illustrates how drone mapping is revolutionizing crash investigations—delivering efficiency, accuracy, and value. (All images courtesy Blue Marble Geographics.)

Inside the Case Study: Windham Police Department’s Workflow

When faced with a serious vehicle crash, the Windham Police Department’s forensic mapping team deployed a drone to document the scene. Their process, as detailed in the Blue Marble Geographics case study, was methodical and technology-driven:

1. Aerial Data Capture

Officers launched a drone to fly over the crash site, capturing hundreds of overlapping high-resolution images. Flight planning ensured 70–80% overlap, which is essential for accurate photogrammetric processing.

2. Ground Control Points

Before image capture, ground control targets were placed at the scene and surveyed using high-precision GPS equipment. These reference points anchored the digital model to real-world coordinates, ensuring survey-grade accuracy.

3. Photogrammetric Processing with Global Mapper Pro®

Back at the station, officers imported the drone imagery into Blue Marble’s Global Mapper Pro® software, using the Pixels to Points® tool. The software automatically detected ground control points, stitched the images into a seamless orthomosaic, and generated a detailed 3D point cloud and mesh model of the crash site.

4. Analysis and Measurement

Investigators used the software to:

• Verify and supplement on-scene measurements

• Trace vehicle paths and pavement evidence

• Calculate distances, angles, and positions of vehicles and debris

• Annotate maps with custom lines and text for clarity

The outputs – court ready documentation – included dimensionally accurate 2D orthomosaics, interactive 3D models, and annotated reports. These digital products were used as evidence in court, providing a permanent and objective record of the scene.

Using drone mapping for accident scenes is a major time saver for the department – and recent updates to Global Mapper Pro® have reduced processing time from hours to as little as 30–45 minutes, enabling faster turnaround and more responsive investigations.

Broader Benefits: Safety and Community Impact

By reducing the time officers spend exposed on active roadways, drone mapping enhances officer safety. Additionally, because drones enable rapid scene documentation, roads can be reopened much faster—minimizing traffic delays and economic disruption. According to the Federal Highway Administration, lane-blocking incidents can cost local economies hundreds of dollars per minute in lost productivity and delays, highlighting the substantial community benefit of quicker crash scene clearance.

Using drones for accident documentation allows smaller police departments to maximize the value of their drone programs, as the same equipment and workflows can serve multiple investigative and operational needs.

Blue Marble Geographics: Accessible Geospatial Solutions

Blue Marble Geographics is recognized for its user-friendly geospatial software, with Global Mapper Pro® at the forefront of drone data processing. The software’s Pixels to Points® module automates photogrammetric workflows, integrates ground control for survey-grade results, and offers intuitive tools for measurement, annotation, and export. Designed to be accessible to non-specialists, Global Mapper Pro® empowers public safety professionals to generate high-accuracy maps and 3D models in-house, without requiring advanced GIS expertise.

Drones in Modern Policing

Beyond crash reconstruction, police agencies nationwide are expanding drone use for real-time situational awareness and as first responders, providing live aerial intelligence that enhances officer safety and operational effectiveness.

The Windham Police Department’s experience, as captured in the Blue Marble Geographics case study, demonstrates the tangible benefits of drone mapping for law enforcement. By streamlining crash scene documentation, improving accuracy, and supporting court proceedings, drones—paired with accessible software—are setting new standards for public safety investigations and delivering real value to communities and agencies of all sizes.

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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

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