Timothy R. Primrose, Mobile Forensic Analyst

The summer blockbuster Twisters is an immersive theatrical experience in 4DX, with motion seats, wind, and environmental effects.  The movie depicts applications of cutting-edge forensic technologies as the characters utilize drones and 3D laser scanners to measure and document tornadoes.

The original Twister (1996) follows a team of storm chasers equipped with tools that are relatively primitive by today’s standards. To study active tornadoes, they relied heavily on direct observation, traditional video cameras, and a fictional device called “Dorothy” —inspired by real-life scientific instruments like TOTO (Totable Tornado Observatory). Dorothy was filled with sensors designed to be released into the path of a tornado, collecting data as it passed over.  While this (fictional) method provided some valuable information, it was dangerous and had limitations due to the lack of precision and real-time data collection capabilities.

Fast forward to the Summer 2024 release of Twisters, and the contrast is stark. The movie follows a team of storm chasers and scientists as they try to use drones and 3D laser scanners to better understand tornado structures and behaviors. They use drones, which can be deployed quickly into the path of a tornado, to capture high-resolution images and real-time data without putting human lives at risk. The movie also shows the team’s attempts to capture data with 3D laser scanners in order to create a more detailed and accurate model for analysis.

While the tornadoes in Twisters are a dramatized depiction, drones and 3D laser scanners (designed differently for the purpose of the movie) have real-world applications in forensic science. These tools are commonly utilized in accident reconstruction to obtain detailed and accurate documentation of accident sites. Just as the Twisters scans were intended for refining a digital tornado model, data collected through these methods allows forensic experts to create precise models of accident sites, which can be crucial for ongoing investigations and/or legal proceedings.

Twisters even demonstrates the integration of GPS data within 3D laser scanners. This GPS capability allows the scanners to precisely document the location and movement of the tornadoes. In one scene, a scanner is blown away by a tornado then later recovered by the storm chasers. Although the scanner did not have a complete set of scans, the GPS data embedded in the partial scans provided valuable insights.

The prevalence of social media data throughout Twisters is also worth mentioning as information regarding a person’s online activities has become increasingly relevant to forensic investigations, from accident reconstruction to criminal cases. In the movie, a rival team of storm chasers notably allows online followers to tune in on the action via YouTube Live. 

The integration of drones, 3D laser scanners, and social media data within the Twisters narrative not only makes for an exciting cinematic experience, but further underscores the practical applications and value of these technologies in our everyday lives. The movie provides a fascinating glimpse of the tools used daily by DJS forensic investigators. We look forward to even more impressive and innovative uses of these tools on the big screen and in real-world scenarios.

Timothy R. Primrose, Mobile Forensic Analyst with DJS Associates, Inc., can be reached via email at experts@forensicDJS.com or via phone at 215-659-2010.

Categories: Digital Forensics

Tags: 3D Laser Scanning | Drones | Forensic Technology | GPS Data | Social Media Data