Digital Rectification of Reconstruction Photographs

Computerized photogrammetry as it relates to accident reconstruction is well known and has been documented by a number of researchers. Planar photogrammetry algorithms have been demonstrated to be adequate for a large number of situations involved in reconstruction. These algorithms all transform individual points in the photographic image plane to a plane associated with the objects of interest. The points are then presented in either tabular and/or line drawing form.

This paper presents a planar method of rectifying an entire photographic image to the horizontal plane, so that the resulting rectified image can be viewed from directly overhead or from any other perspective. The method has specific advantages in analyzing accident scene photos containing skid marks, gouges, and other evidence, without the inconvenience of perspective distortion. The method also dramatically increases the volume of data which can be conveniently analyzed. The stages of the process are discussed and several examples are presented.