QuickScale 2.0

QuickScale 2.0: The development of a user-oriented interface for a weighing tool utilized in on-site weight measurement. Aiding in forensic early post-mortem interval estimation.

Anker, Thomas (TU Delft Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering)

Loeve, A.J. (mentor)
Albayrak, A. (graduation committee)
Smit, G. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Biomedical Engineering

Therminus

2023-11-02

Post-mortem interval estimation (PMI) is a key part of forensic investigation. Accurately obtaining a PMI early in the investigative process improves the reconstruction of events, directs follow-up research and narrows down suspects in case of homicide. Currently, PMI is determined using Henssge’s nomogram requiring ambient temperature, rectal temperature, an estimated body weight and an estimated correcting factor to account for the clothing of the deceased. These body weight and correcting factor estimates are subjective and can lead to errors of up to 14 hours from the actual PMI.
To improve the accuracy of the PMI Academic Medical Centre (AMC) in Amsterdam, TU Delft, the Dutch Forensic Institute and the Dutch police initiated the Therminus project. Using the Wilks Model [1]with specialised equipment can increase the accuracy of the PMI by up to a 15-minute margin of error under ideal circumstances and up to 3.2 hours under non-ideal circumstances.
For the Wilks model, the weight of the deceased remains an important input and the QuickScale was developed as a specialised tool to provide this information to forensic investigators at the crime scene. This report contains the development of the second iteration of the QuickScale, the QuickScale 2.0. Objectives of this development were:
1. To Finish the QuickScale prototype, design the modules needed for building in the electronics and for adding user-friendly, intuitive controls.
2. To design and conduct usability studies with forensic investigators and use the obtained information to further improve the QuickScale construction, electronics and usability.
Using a design analysis and usability engineering approach for the QuickScale design and user interface respectively. The QuickScale design was calibrated, and validated and possible improvements were identified. Three different user interfaces were developed and usability studies were conducted for groups of students and forensic investigators. New design requirements were derived from both the design analysis and usability studies.
The resulting QuickScale 2.0 design incorporated the user interface that resulted in the least user errors. It met 27 out of the total 30 design criteria and contains:
• An ambidextrous user interface.
• Correcting springs for the non-linearity of the load cell when measuring weights below 20kg.
• Handlebars with improved grip which can easily be extended to accommodate more users.
• Safety labels with an abbreviated guide on the field use and stickers indicating the controls

The un-met design criteria were an indicator of remaining battery life and the possibility that both units can display a difference in weight larger than 0.5 kgs, especially at the start of weight measurements. As this design still needs to be produced, it needs to be tested and evaluated. Special care should be taken when calibrating the QuickScale 2.0 and altering the calibrating method might be necessary. Furthermore, it is recommended to integrate the QuickScale 2.0 with other Therminus equipment in future evaluations.

All in all the QuickScale 2.0 is a user-oriented step toward more accurate post-mortem interval estimation.

Weight Estimation
Post Mortem Interval
Usability Design
Weight Measurement Device
User-interface
Usability Tests

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:697e01e1-f9bb-4ea2-a08e-e4e8169b0425

2025-11-02

Student theses

master thesis

© 2023 Thomas Anker