The Physics and Mathematics of Crime Scene Analysis
Behind every crime scene investigation lies rigorous science—trigonometry that decodes bloodstain patterns, physics that reconstructs bullet trajectories, and chemistry that reveals invisible evidence. These 10 interactive simulations explore the real mathematics and physical principles forensic scientists use to reconstruct events, match evidence, and bring clarity to chaos. No speculation, just science.
Decoding physical evidence through geometry, trigonometry, and fracture mechanics—the foundation of modern crime scene reconstruction.
Calculate angle of impact from bloodstain ellipses using arcsin(width/length). Drag to create stains at different angles and trace convergence lines to find the area of origin.
Click to create impacts and watch radial and concentric cracks propagate. Apply the 3R rule to determine force direction and sequence multiple impacts.
Simulate fire spread from an ignition point and observe the characteristic V-pattern on walls. Analyze char depth and burn patterns to trace the origin.
Reconstructing the physics of projectiles—from entry angles to ricochet dynamics and the geometry of bullet paths through space.
Place entry and exit holes in walls and surfaces, then trace the bullet path through 3D space. Adjust for bullet drop and drag to reconstruct the shooting position.
Fire projectiles at surfaces and observe ricochet behavior. The angle of ricochet is always less than incidence. Adjust surface material and velocity to find critical angles.
Matching physical impressions left at scenes—from the unique whorls of a fingerprint to the striations etched by a specific tool.
Identify ridge endings and bifurcations in procedurally generated fingerprints. Mark minutiae points and compare two prints to find matching features.
Measure tread patterns, track widths, and wheelbase from tire impressions. Match class characteristics against a vehicle database to narrow suspects.
Compare striation patterns between a tool and a crime scene mark. Slide tool marks into alignment and measure correlation to determine if they match.
From the blue glow of luminol to the silent testimony of skeletal remains—chemistry and biology revealing what the eye cannot see.
Spray luminol in a darkened room to reveal hidden bloodstains. Iron in hemoglobin catalyzes the reaction, producing a blue glow that fades over 30 seconds.
Estimate age, sex, and stature from skeletal measurements. Examine the pubic symphysis, cranial sutures, and long bone lengths to build a biological profile.