COVER STORY Mobile Crime Scene Units
Philadelphia Crime Scene Unit by Sirchie provides great nighttime lighting for a sewer search.
nifi cantly different requirements than a department in North Da- kota working on a cold winter’s night. Consequently, Sirchie has available extreme climate packages for any application. Sirchie can also provide various power systems, including on-board generators that are conveniently fed by the vehicle’s fuel tank, to roof-mounted solar panel systems for remote lo- cations. Attention to these foundation systems can be of par- amount importance when trying to effectively carry out the evidence collection mission at a critical incident. Sirchie has a GSA contract, which means a discounted price has been pre-negotiated with the Federal government. Under the Co-Operative Purchase Program, these vehicles can be pur- chased by any state, county, or municipal agency at the same pre-negotiated price, eliminating the often labor-intensive task of the bid process. They can help with specs for the GSA contract and help with grant funding questions. Not only can they help with grant questions, but they can also help in fi nding available Federal grants and can assist with writing grant applications. Sirchie provides a 40-hour college-level training program empha-
sizing on-hand use of all the forensic equipment in the vehicle. This includes the proper way to secure, search, process and transport the evidence using what is aboard the vehicle. Life-time support is also provided from the purchase process to after delivery support. Offi cers come there to pick up and inspect the vehicle. They are provided with an all-day orientation on everything, with all sys- tems operating. The techs who built the vehicles spend the day going over the operation of the vehicle. Onsite delivery and orien- tation training can also be provided at the department’s location. Since Sirchie also manufactures crime scene kits, they build cabi-
nets to fi t these kits. The kits are labeled both on the kit and the compartment to which it should be returned. That way, every- thing is returned to its proper place and it is very systematic. There is also refrigerated storage. A popular option is a photographic and observation deck on top, with a safety railing to use cameras or high-defi nition lasers. Laser scanners are an option that can be accommodated if ordered by the customer. Sirchie also has a cabi- net module with forensic kits that will fi t most SUVs. John Garner, Crime Scene Unit, Harris County Sheriff’s Offi ce, stated, “Our mission for our truck is to provide a secure work area for our Crime Scene Investigators while they are on the scene of a crime.” Their response area includes many rural areas and their choice was a four-wheel drive Ford F550. They utilize the truck in many different ways, including having equipment that allows for
18 LAW and ORDER I June 2015
Philadelphia Crime Scene Unit by Sirchie shown using outside lighting for crime scene.
the processing of evidence while on the scene. He said they will absolutely utilize the equipment imme-
diately when the circumstances warrant the immediate “on- scene” processing of evidence to assist other investigators with the identifi cation of potential suspects. Their truck also has smaller versions of some of their laboratory equipment, which would allow them to use the truck in case a catastrophic disaster prevented them from using their stand-alone lab. Harris County’s Sheriff recognized the importance of having the crime scene vehicle and asset forfeiture money that had been awarded to the Department used to purchase the vehicle. They opted to purchase a Krimesite Imager, which allows for the detec- tion, observation, and photographing of fi ngerprints not visible to the naked eye, without the need for chemical processing and “it has amazed everyone who has worked with it.” They have an observation deck to take aerial photographs,
and a pneumatic mast-mounted video camera, which, when raised to its highest position, will allow for aerial photography from approximately 30 feet above ground.
According to Garner, the most important feature is the lighting installed on the truck. They do not leave crime scenes until they have identifi ed, documented and collected all the evidence and this usually involves losing daylight. He reported, “The mast-mounted lighting on the truck is phenomenal. Having a designated location for equipment has proven to work well for our unit. Because of the number of investigators assigned to us, it is more effi cient for them not to have to check every cabinet because the equipment is in the same place every time, no matter who is using the truck.” “Three to four crime scene investigators are able to work comfortably inside if the situation warrants it. The thought, when we were working with Sirchie Vehicle Division to design the truck, was to deploy it only on major crime scenes, but we have used it on many scenes, simply because of the rural location and the need for lighting. We do have a protocol for deploying the truck, but it can be utilized at the discretion of the on-duty Crime Scene Unit supervisor,” Garner said.
Kathy Marks has been a child abuse investigator for more than 30 years. She teaches classes regarding domestic terrorism and is a previous contributor to LAW and ORDER. She can be reached at
kathymarks53@aol.com.
LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting
www.lawandordermag.com
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