Forensic Sketch
The Forensic Sketch system allows for the high-fidelity annotation of crime scenes, providing a visual record that transcends simple markers.
🖌️ The SketchPad UI
When an investigator uses Forensic Chalk or a Digital Sketch Tablet, they enter the Sketching Interface:
- Free-hand Canvas: Use your mouse to draw directly onto the screen.
- Layers: Toggle between different colors (e.g., Red for blood, White for body outlines, Yellow for boundaries).
- Undo/Redo: Correct errors without wiping the entire scene.
🌍 3D Projection
The most powerful aspect of the system is how it translates your 2D drawing into the 3D game world:
- Spatial Anchoring: Every stroke is anchored to world coordinates, meaning if you walk away and come back, the drawing remains exactly where you put it.
- Surface Snapping: Lines automatically follow the contours of the ground, curbs, and objects.
- Persistence: Unlike props which might despawn, sketches are saved as coordinate data in the database, allowing them to be re-rendered even after a server restart or when a case is reopened months later.
🕵️ Use Cases
- Body Outline: The classic "chalk outline" but with 100% accuracy to the victim's position.
- Direction of Travel: Mark blood trails or tire tracks with arrows to show the suspect's path.
- Hazard Marking: Clearly outline dangerous areas (e.g., biohazards or structural damage).