The Hancock County Sheriff's Office has new high-tech technology for crime scene and accident investigations.

The technology is called the Total Station, and the sheriff's office in Hancock County is the only agency in the northern panhandle to have one.

Police investigations start with a high-tech tripod, which pinpoints locations by laser.

The total station then calculates measurements with pinpoint accuracy.

Detectives take those numbers, download them to a computer program and with a few clicks of a mouse, the scene of a crime becomes three-dimensional.

Sgt. Art Watson said, "If I was the victim of a crime and said, 'He came through my front door and came into my bedroom and walked around my bed,' we can animate that."

The equipment will also help officers investigate accidents.

"We will be able to track vehicles on the roadways and even track the skidmarks," said Watson.

Detectives said police work is still key in solving cases but this new equipment is crucial in fine-tuning their investigations and taking their case to the courtroom.

Hancock County Sheriff Mike White said, "As law enforcement officers, it's our duty to find the best evidence. I think it will help us step up our game."

The total station technology costs $19,000 and the Hancock County Sheriff's Office received the equipment through a grant.

Four deputies are now trained to use this tool.