A UAE police officer using a 3D printer. (Credit: WAM)
Abu Dhabi’s police department has announced a new crimesolving 3D printing initiative.
The United Arab Emirates has already fervently embraced the opportunities of 3D printing technology, including a new housing programme in Dubai. UAE startups have also enjoyed a $100 million (€81.1 million) investment from Autodesk, a Californian 3D software company. Now Abu Dhabi has launched its Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, which places a key focus on 3D printing.
3D Printing Industry reports that Abu Dhabi Police are set to use the technology “to help in handling of evidence,” suggesting that dioramas created with 3D printers could be utilised “to help thoroughly assess a crime scene, or communicate to the court a series of events.” Related projects have already taken place in West Yorkshire, England, and Montana, USA, where the police use 3D scanning in its crime scene investigations.
The initiative, being led by the Criminal Evidence Administration’s Director, Brigadier Abdulrahman Al Hammadi, is also aiming to 3D print models to be used in training exercises, and in customer service and promotional activities.
“Forecasting the future is a key engine for Abu Dhabi Police’s efforts to address global trends, challenges and opportunities through preventive scenarios and solutions,” explained Lt. Colonel Sulieman Al Kaabi, the Director of Innovation and the Future.
