Case Studies

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📖3 min read

Introduction

To illustrate what is possible in practice, this section gathers real-world investigations and reverse-engineers the likely workflow combinations behind them. The goal is not to provide definitive production breakdowns, but to give you a clear orientation point for how tools, techniques, and workflow patterns can be combined in applied work.

Each case demonstrates a blend of techniques, and all feature photomatching (the process of overlaying 2D images onto 3D models). Our focus here is on the 3D modeling aspects of these projects. Note that photomatching rarely achieves a perfect 100% alignment — some degree of approximation is inherent to the process.

These rudimentary breakdowns serve as observational studies rather than critiques or definitive methodologies.

Data Sources

Combining satellite imagery, CCTV footage, drone scans, and blueprints.

Techniques

Photogrammetry, SubD modeling, procedural generation, and simulation.

Workflows

From simple blockouts to detailed forensic reconstructions.

Open investigations (analyzed)

Each case reverse-engineers the probable workflow. Photomatching (overlaying 2D images on 3D geometry) is a recurring theme.

Finding an RSF Military Camp — CIR. Vehicular identification through damage and texture matching across footage.
Smoke and Lies — GIJN. Interior reconstruction + smoke simulation to test the official account of a deadly fire.
Shireen Abu Akleh — Targeted Killing of a Journalist — Forensic Architecture. Drone photogrammetry, field-of-view and trajectory analysis, witness-perspective verification.
Reconstructing the Melilla Massacre — Lighthouse Reports. Terrain-from-DEM and procedural/instancing-heavy modeling.
Situated Testimony — Live witness navigation and annotation of a 3D scene (Forensic Architecture / FAIA).

Sketches & course examples

Foundation examples shared as course targets (see the Bellingcat course proposal) and other working sketches. These are initial notes, not full case write-ups.

GBU-39 Interactive Model — Hard-surface object reconstruction from references for identification and education.
Al-Lataminah M4000 Reconstruction — Forensic Architecture's chemical bomb reconstruction from limited 2D evidence.
Nuseirat Raid — Urban Reconstruction & Camera Matching — Washington Post's urban spatial reconstruction of a military raid.
Beirut Port Explosion — Full Timeline Reconstruction — Forensic Architecture's city-scale timeline reconstruction with point cloud registration.
UMPB D-30SN Precision Modeling — The project the Bellingcat GBU-39 example inspired; hard-surface reverse-engineering.
Bilthoven Cold-Case 3D Suspect Model — Person/face reconstruction from witness memory for public identification.
Tech4Tracing — 3D-Printable Ammunition Photogrammetry — Photogrammetry-to-printable training replicas of ordnance.

Summary

These cases demonstrate how different modeling approaches are selected based on the investigative needs.

Key Takeaways:

Mapping & Data Visualization: Integrating 3D models with geospatial data.
3D Modeling & Photogrammetry: Combining hand-modeled assets with scanned environments.
Video Synchronization: Using 3D space to align and verify video evidence.

Introduction​