NCJ Number
217964
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2007 Pages: 94,96,106
Date Published
March 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article describes a number of equipment items for technical crime investigators that were displayed at the 2006 SHOT Show in Orlando, FL, on January 11-14.
Abstract
To help investigators record indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, and wind conditions, the Windmate 350 by Speedtech Instruments (Virginia) has a hand-held instrument that measures these weather conditions in addition to acting as a barometer and altimeter. It is built to military specifications. There were also innovations in folding knives. There a folding knives available that accommodate quickly changed blades in order to avoid contamination without a time-consuming washing of a permanent blade. Various types of blades are also interchangeable. Another functional equipment item displayed is a handle that snaps onto any long gun at its balance point, which makes for ease of carrying with minimal potential for damage to evidence. Another piece of equipment documents wound channel or projectile expansion. Called the bullet Test Tube, it is a cardboard tube with a proprietary paraffin matrix. After firing, the paraffin is slipped from the tube and either measured to determine the actual size of the cavity or carefully split to visualize the cavity and permit recovery of the projectiles. Also on display was the Duke Projectile Recovery System. It uses natural and man-made fibers to capture the projectile, which prevents the projectile from expanding or deforming while maintaining barrel-produced stria. Other equipment for the investigators described in this article includes portable shelter in the field; forensic lighting tools; eye-protection equipment; equipment for marking, signaling, and area lighting; metal detection at the scene; volatile evidence collection; emergency medical kit; a short fusees (flares) alternative; viewing instruments; and hands-free lighting.