departments add their own radios or special equipment. They can add crime scene equipment, such as temperature controlled bio-containment cabinets and secure evidence lockers. They can buy equipment that meets the buyer’s specs or the buyer can drop ship equipment they purchase and Dodgen will install that equipment for the cost of the materials and labor.” Dodgen builds models from 20- to 33-foot-long bumper-to-
Des Moines Crime Scene Unit 29-foot made by Dodgen.
bumper and their Ford F-series model 4x4 is very affordable, for weather or off-road reasons. While these vehicles are generally focused on evidence collection, in a disaster, they could also be used as a mobile lab.
Sirchie manufactured Harris County (TX) Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit lab and galley area.
Day pointed out, “The Police do not leave the scene until they are convinced they have everything. So the vehicle serves as their offi ce in the fi eld, their restroom, their refreshment center, with supply cabinets for evidence bags and tags. It is a place to monitor and review the quality of photos taken and a place to store the evidence until they are fi nished at the scene.” Satellite systems are available if customers wish and radios, emergency lights, fl ood lighting that telescopes and aims above the roof are all common. The most common equipment ordered is emergency lighting, leveling systems, radio preparations, and lots of cabinetry. The vehicle roofs are so strong they can sup- port a platform, as well as a fold-up hand rail on the roof, to allow equipment better deployed from a height in rough terrain, such things as telescopic cameras. Tim Briggs, Senior CSI/Latent print examiner, Des Moines (Iowa) Police Department, reported they use their Dodgen ve- hicle specifi cally to respond to major crime scenes, such as ho- micides, offi cer-involved shootings, and scenes requiring more than a couple of hours to process. It is a mobile offi ce from which the CSI team can work and have a place to talk out of sight of the public and media, with the intent to not use it for major processing of evidence on scene, but rather the collection and logging of evidence. It is used for pa- perwork, team meetings, and a place to take breaks away from the scene and out of the weather. Items are stocked for chemi- cal processing of blood areas, as well as items that could not be removed from the crime scene.
Des Moines’ vehicle is a 29-foot model with an open design for work space. Its dual generator is set up with two roof-mounted air conditioners and a forced-air heat propane furnace, along with a bathroom and kitchenette.
Des Moines Crime Scene Unit by Dodgen, showing galley, and roomy seating and work area.
Day affi rmed the trend for departments acquiring mobile
crime labs, usually with populations around 50,000 people or more. He stated, “Many smaller agencies are setting up share ar- rangements with local county sheriffs, neighboring counties or cities, or emergency managements teams. By ‘pooling resources’ a vehicle can be available even though their needs are less.” Day reported, “We build the entire vehicle body and add the cabinetry, plumbing, wiring, emergency lighting, fl ood light- ing, cameras and DVRs, and needed specialty items. Some
Their vehicle is also set up to make things more comfortable for the crime scene technicians, stocking miscellaneous drinks and candy in one of the refrigerators, a coffee pot and items to make coffee, and a microwave oven for heating food. There is a bathroom facility in the vehicle with a water heater for hot water for hand washing. On the exterior is a roll-out awning for shade in the summer and cover in rainy weather. The vehicle has exterior lighting on three sides of the vehicle as well as four removable stand lights that can be run from extension cords up to 100 feet from the vehicle.
LDV, Inc.
www.ldvusa.com The Philadelphia Police Department purchased an LDV mobile crime lab paid for by a Homeland Security grant. The Ford F550 4x4 crew cab has a 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8, with a 142-foot custom-fabricated
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