Next-Level Forensics: Building World-Class Crime Scene Capabilities in Abu Dhabi

Backed by visionary leadership and smart investment in talent and technology, Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) has built a reputation as a forward-thinking force. In this Expert Insight, we speak with Major Mohammed Alkaabi, Head of Sketch and Measurement, Crime Scene Investigation, about his mindset and methods for securing evidence and amplifying his team’s capabilities.

When Major Mohammed Alkaabi first joined the force, he was part of a visionary Abu Dhabi police programme to develop local expertise in forensics. His training began at Virginia Commonwealth University in America, where he majored in Criminal Justice with a focus on Crime Scene Investigation. After a year of practical fieldwork, he entered the Police Academy to formalise his rank and quickly took on increasingly strategic roles within the Crime Scene Department, significantly contributing to the country’s reputation for state-of-the-art forensics.

“I started in Crime Scene Enhancement, then moved into Reconstruction,” he explains. “Now I lead the Sketching and Measurement section. When I started, everything was still about photography and manual measurements. Yet because our leaders have always seen the value of investing in advanced technology, we had 3D scanners. The problem was nobody was using them.”

A new era of documentation begins

Major Alkaabi asked, “Why are these scanners just sitting here?” He began experimenting with them in the field but quickly ran into challenges. They were slow and laborious, making them impractical: “Obviously, I could not tell my colleagues from other teams to stop their work and clear the scene because I need to position my calibration spheres and do some scanning,” explains the Major, smiling.

Moreover, the UAE’s climate was wreaking havoc on imported tech. “Scanners are generally at home in colder countries. However, here, I had a case where the asphalt hit 60°C. Those scanners shut down. So, I started looking for better alternatives.” After testing multiple brands, Alkaabi settled on Leica Geosystems. That was nearly seven years ago.

Major Alkaabi: “I read manuals, watched videos, tried things out, and frequently talked to the local Leica representatives.”

He began with the first-generation BLK360 imaging laser scanner and took the one-week training course, which gave him a basic understanding of the solution’s capabilities. However, with a background in computer science and his natural curiosity, Alkaabi began to push the system’s limits. “I read manuals, watched videos, tried things out, and frequently talked to the local Leica representatives.” In this way, Major Alkaabi was able to develop his preferred methods for cleaning point clouds, removing reflections, or taming the sun during HDR image capture.

Today, he and his expert team rely on Leica’s BLK360 and RTC360 scanners in combination with Map360 forensic software.

Major Alkaabi uses Leica RTC360 laser scanner on a crime mock scene

Major Mohammed Alkaabi teaches peers and team members of the Crims Scene Deaprtment how to use Leica RTC360 laser scanner on a crime scene

“At the Henry Lee Institute, we learned all the foundations of modern crime scene investigation – measuring by hand to do bloodstain analysis, bullet trajectories, and scene reconstruction. Now, with Leica 3D scanners, we can do these things faster and more accurately, even under extreme conditions. Then, with the Leica software, we can easily reconstruct the crime scene and investigate back in a cool, quiet office environment.

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Leica Geosystems software used among others in crime scene investigations

Racing ahead to success

A passion for perfection and a desire to deliver top performance even under pressure seem part of Alkaabi’s character.

“I have represented the Abu Dhabi Police in marathons and competed in Ironman competitions. For me, a crime scene feels like race day. Success depends on being perfectly prepared with the right tools and techniques and having supporters who cheer you on”. The Leica team was amazing. They were always ready to answer any questions and even lent us extra gear without charging. That kind of support makes all the difference.”

Prepared for all eventualities

Whether it is a gas explosion, a stabbing on a farm or a suicide, having a comprehensive set of scans equips you to rule out alternative hypotheses. For example, when investigating a fatal fall where you have a body lying at a certain angle and distance from a building, a ground scan with the Leica RTC360 that captures the building features and position of impact can help confirm witness testimonies and clarify whether someone jumped or was pushed.

All Leica solutions offer a fast-track to creating a forensic digital twin of a crime scene. Long-range scanners like the RTC360 can cover larger areas more efficiently. Alkaabi explained the challenges of documenting a car chase or plane crash where evidence is scattered across several kilometres. Jobs like this were accomplished by Major Alkaabi and his team of investigators with two RTC360‘s using a leapfrog approach.

“In such cases, it is not just about precision; it is about being able to present a coherent story without any gaps between the locations – having all the necessary data, no matter what direction the investigation takes.”

Scaling up: VR, data security & simulation

Major Alkaabi, eager to share his knowledge, has trained more than 100 officers in scanning technology. The goal was to establish a strong core team of experts within the Measurement Department while equipping other departments with the basics.

“We do not always get there before the body is moved, so if I can train other units to do a simple scan, I can link that scan with ours later. Failing that, we can always integrate information from a photograph.”

In the meantime, he is working with training departments to expand crime scene capture capabilities methodically. The Abu Dhabi Police are even working on bringing VR into forensic education. “Imagine loading a real crime scene into a headset and letting recruits walk through it virtually to look for evidence. We are not far from that.”

On data security, he explains that ADP’s internal network is tightly controlled. “All our scanners are offline. When I upload, it is entered into a secure environment, and every action is logged for traceability. We also look into encryption, but our system has worked flawlessly.”

Conclusion: Building trust through technology

Mohammed Alkaabi’s contribution to innovation in Abu Dhabi has not gone unnoticed. Besides his recent promotion to the rank of Major, he was also recognised by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and included in their top forty under forty list of influential^[1] young police leaders in 2024.

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), as the world’s largest and most influential professional association for police leaders, is committed to advancing the safety of communities worldwide. Captain Alkaabi, in 2024, was awarded "IACP 40 Under 40". This award program is designed to recognize 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world that demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession.

Captain Mohammed Alkaabi awarded by the IACP in 2024.

“I think my career would not have been possible without my fixation on technology. However, two things changed my life: studying abroad and training for competitive sports. The first expanded my vision, and the second taught me the importance of preparation.” Whether scanning the site of a gas explosion, reconstructing a suicide, mapping a car chase, or a plane crash, Alkaabi’s goal remains the same: to deliver precise, objective, court-ready data.

“In the end, our job is to build trust—in our work, in our tools, and the outcomes. That is why I’m grateful for all the support I got from Leica and really proud of what we have created here.”

[1] Alkaabi was listed as one of the top 40 under 40 influential leaders by the IACP in 2024. https://www.theiacp.org/40-under-40/mohammed-alkaabi

3 good reasons to choose Leica's laser scanner solutions

ROBUST
Leica’s scanners are built for the most extreme environmental conditions and are a favourite choice for investigators in hot and cold climates. Easy-to-use smart workflows also contribute to overall reliability by reducing the potential for human error.

COMPREHENSIVE
No more missing valuable clues: quickly collect a comprehensive set of scans in the field. Easily clean and register them once you are back in a cool, quiet office. Assemble all the scans to create a complete reconstruction of the crime scene.

DECISIVE
Invite colleagues to explore the Forensic Digital Twin created from the scanners and software to confirm or deny hypotheses and to prepare decisive documents for reliable court decisions.

CONTRIBUTORS

Major Mohammed Alkaabi of Abu Dhabi Police

Author: David M. Taylor | soundswrite.ch

Facilitator: Nathan Savory, Regional Segment Manager - Reality Capture (EM EMEA & Asia) at Leica Geosystems

Supervising Editor: Malgorzata Krol | Global Director Marketing Communication Public Safety at Hexagon Geosystems