Rimkus Receives Approval for Quadcopter Drone Use in Forensic Investigations

Rimkus Consulting Group, a forensic engineering consulting services, announced it has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to utilize small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – commonly referred to as drones – for aerial inspections of structures and facilities to conduct forensic inspections.

A UAS equipped with a high-performance aerial photography platform is extremely flexible and offers a number of benefits when used for forensic evaluations, including greater speed, safety, practicality and efficiency. The technology is especially beneficial for difficult and dangerous inspections, such as those involving steep-sloped roofs, exterior facades and walls, towers and bridges, and damage due to fires and explosions, vehicle accidents and catastrophic events.

“To say that this technology is changing the face of our industry and bringing added value to our clients is an understatement. We can now obtain better, more-timely evidence in challenging locations with less risk and expense,” said Curtis Brown, president and CEO, Rimkus Consulting Group.

Rimkus is dedicated to providing innovative, technology-driven solutions like the DJI Phantom 2 Vision +. Weighing in at only three pounds, the UAS features a gimbal-stabilized, 14-megapixel/1080P camera with crystal-clear imaging.

“The drones that make up our fleet are ideally suited for the documentation of evidence during forensic investigations. With high-resolution cameras and Wi-Fi/GPS-enabled control systems, these hover-style drones can be maneuvered close to structures at great heights or flown high above large areas, returning detailed imagery in each case,” said Wes Jordan, vice president, National Property Division manager, Rimkus Consulting Group. “Our inspections can now reach locations that were previously inaccessible due to safety concerns or manlift equipment and manned aircraft operating constraints,” said Jordan.

Rimkus has 45 locations worldwide and employs more than 400 professionals, including a team of expert engineers and consultants.

Source: Rimkus