Lasers help open roads quickly

OLYMPIA - The newest edition of the Washington State Patrol's Good to Know video series features detectives using the latest laser technology to quickly clear roadways after an incident, ensuring driver and officer safety.

The Trimble Laser Scanner does the work traditionally done by detectives but in about half the time and with only one operator. It scans items at the scene in order to recreate a 3-D version of the surrounding area, which helps investigators determine the cause of the collision.

The WSP uses the Trimble to reduce road closure time while still conducting a thorough investigation of the incident. The device can also be used at other types of crimes, such as homicides, to document the location of important evidence.