The Crime Lab Vehicle
CSIs have two types of vehicles that they typically use for crime scene response. The first is their standard response vehicle, usually an SUV. SUV’s are great because you sometimes need high clearance and four wheel drive to get to some locations (especially in Colorado). These vehicles usually have just the essentials you might need to process most crime scenes.
- Fingerprint kit
- Camera bags
- Bloodstain/Biological kit
- Casting kit (footwear and tires)
- Evidence bags, arson cans, jars/vials, and various boxes for evidence and evidence placards
- Measuring devices from traffic wheel, tape measures of various lengths, and laser measuring devices
- Metal detector
- Presumptive drug tests
- Power and hand tools for removal of everything from carpeting to large sections of walls and floors
- Personal protective equipment which includes all PPEs (gloves, mask, Tyvek), bunker gear (fire jacket/helmet), even a ballistic vest
- Other gear as required by assignment or location (some agencies in remote areas have everything from show shoes to repelling gear)
I had a Chevrolet Trailblazer. The rear cargo area was custom designed (by us) to hold all the crime scene gear. The back seats were removed to make space for evidence being taken back to the lab from the scene. The unit was unmarked but some agencies mark the vehicles with their agency name. There was a police radio but no emergency lights (although my personal opinion is that all police vehicles should have emergency lights for…you know…emergencies). Here are some pictures of various SUV or cargo van outfits.
Some larger labs also have larger “box” vans for major call outs. These vehicles are designed for extended duration of use and carry all of the basic crime scene and evidence collection gear (in greater quantities) in addition to specialized equipment which may include:
- Halogen work lights
- Computer work station
- Evidence locker/refrigerator
- Underwater metal detector and dive gear
- Total station (surveying) and stadia rod
- Ladders
- Roof platform for taking elevated photographs
- Generator
Really large units can even include a laboratory grade fume hood, conference room, or bathroom. Here are some pictures of one type of major response vehicle.
Inside of a large box van. Note the walls are smooth “dry-erase” type surfaces for checklists and diagrams used in planning or debriefing
Posted on September 19, 2012, in General, The Crime Scene and tagged crime lab van, crime lab vehicle, Crime Scene, csi, CSI vehicle, detective, fiction, forensics, forensics vehicle, mystery, police, thriller, tom adair. Bookmark the permalink. 3 Comments.
Would vehicles in any way like this have been available in the mid to late 1990s?
The larger “box” vehicles in the United States for sure but mostly with larger city/county or federal agencies. Also, cargo vans have been used since at least the 1960′s with many medium sized police and sheriff’s departments. The equipment is somewhat different but many of the same supplies were carried.
Thank you!. I can use this in my work in progress.