Marine Biologist Champions Low-Cost 3D Scanning to Transform Whale Strandings

Marine biologist harnesses accessible LiDAR technology to transform necropsy procedures, bridging gaps in remote whale stranding documentation and conservation worldwide.

• Low-cost 3D scanning tools showcase high accuracy for remote marine mammal strandings
• Lead researcher highlights the user-friendliness of LiDAR-enabled smartphones for data collection
• Open science practices extend the global reach and collaborative potential of these techniques

Brendan Cottrell the lead author of a recent study on 3D scanning for marine mammal strandings says his fascination with ocean wildlife and conservation led him to explore how accessible technology can radically simplify data collection in difficult and remote settings. “My interest in research began with an early love for nature, particularly the ocean and its wildlife. Drawn to conservation, I am fascinated by how technology can help study and protect marine mammals,” he explains.

Drawing on LiDAR-equipped mobile phones and UAV photogrammetry, the researcher and his team have demonstrated that high-quality 3D models of stranded specimens can be created even with minimal resources. Using nothing more than an iPhone 12 Pro and a scanning application, they produced reconstructions of 11 distinct marine mammal species. In one validation exercise, an inflatable whale was measured to an accuracy of over 99%, with the majority of morphometrics falling within 2% of conventional tape rule measurements. This level of precision, the study notes, is a significant step for researchers who often contend with challenging field conditions and limited access to advanced imaging equipment.

By integrating 3D scanning into standard necropsy procedures, the study highlights a way for scientists to gather richer, more detailed data on key anatomical features, external lesions, and broader morphometric measures. With the prospect of remote strandings often coming in far-flung regions lacking extensive specialist equipment, the team argues that harnessing low-cost mobile technology could democratise stranding responses, enhancing both accuracy and coverage.

Embracing Cost-Effective Innovation

According to Brendan Cottrell, anyone armed with a LiDAR-equipped smartphone and a user-friendly app like Scaniverse could theoretically perform a high-fidelity 3D scan: “Yes, in theory, anyone with a LiDAR-equipped phone (like an iPhone 12 Pro or later) and the right app, such as Scaniverse, could create a 3D scan of a stranded marine mammal.” He does, however, emphasise the value of basic training, from learning optimal angles and distances to accounting for environmental factors such as glare or low light.

These 3D reconstructions, the researcher adds, “offer a level of detail and versatility that traditional field measurements cannot always achieve.” By capturing comprehensive digital records of each specimen, scientists can re-examine data post-fieldwork and share models across institutions or countries. This flexibility also supports retrospective analyses, allowing future investigators to probe additional questions without the need to revisit a carcass or rely on incomplete measurements.

Critically, the cost-effective nature of this approach matters as well. Many stranding events occur in areas where resources are scarce, and reliance on expensive scanners or large teams of specialists isn’t always feasible. The researcher is confident that this approach “democratises data collection,” bringing more voices and observations into the conversation.

Open Science for Wider Impact

The accessibility of LiDAR scanning isn’t just about hardware; open science principles underpin this entire effort. “Open science has expanded the reach of this research by making the lessons learned available to a global audience,” the Brendan observes. By sharing software, techniques, and workflows at minimal or no cost, more regions can document strandings to a professional standard, facilitating better comparisons across species, geographies, and time.

These openly available 3D models have the potential to contribute beyond active fieldwork. They can be used in education and training, enabling students and local volunteers to virtually examine stranded cetaceans. This is of special importance in areas where direct access to marine mammal specimens is either limited or hampered by geographic barriers. In addition, the researcher envisions new avenues for collaboration: “Combining external 3D reconstructions with internal anatomical data could provide unique insights into pathology, trauma, and overall health.”

Above all, the study shows how simple and widely accessible tools can make significant inroads into a traditionally resource-intensive field. By unveiling a method that can be scaled up or down depending on local capacity, the Brendan hopes to encourage more diverse communities to engage with marine mammal research. “This research is important because it provides an accessible, low-cost method for documenting and analysing stranded marine mammals, particularly in remote or resource-limited regions,” he concludes.