Camera Equipment

¨  SLR or interchangeable lens camera

¨  Specialty camera (Crime Lite Auto [https://fosterfreeman.com/crime-lite-auto/], UV/IR camera, etc.)

¨  Video camera

¨  Cleaning cloth/brush for internal and external wiping of moisture

¨  Sync cord/remote control

¨  Hot shoe level/bubble level

¨  Rubbing alcohol wipes/lens cleaning wipes

¨  Rain cover for camera, home-made or pre-made

¨  Compass for camera strap

¨  Reflective camera strap or tape on camera to find camera on scene

¨  Silicone/rubber bracelet on lens for easy adjustment - glow in dark or reflective helpful

¨  Detachable flashes

¨  Flash diffuser - diffuser, filter paper, white paper, white handkerchief

¨  Gray card for color metering

¨  Color chart or color card used for injury photographs

 

Data storage cards

¨  + 2 for camera

¨  + 1 for video camera

¨  +1 for digital scanner (Leica, Faro etc.)

 

Stabilizing equipment, standing height AND table height

¨  Tripod/monopod/gimbal/beanbag/sandbags for weight

 

Lens

¨  Macro

¨  Extension tube – supplement lens to add macro capabilities

¨  Normal

¨  Wide angle

¨  Polarizing

¨  Macro/micro lens cell phone attachment (if using cell phone)

 

Filters

¨  Polarizing filter (reduces glare from light or water)

¨  UV filter - UV transmitting bandpass filter

¨  UV filter – clear filter, can be left on permanently for lens protection

¨  Macrophotography filter (place on ordinary lens for macro lens abilities)

¨  ALS filter (appropriate colors)

ALS Equipment

¨  Barrier filters - goggles, lens covers, sheets of colored plastic

¨  Equipment controls on cards or paper, laminated or in bags to prevent contamination

¨  Flashlights (Single wavelength) or light unit (multi-wavelength)

¨  Orange, red, yellow, clear (UV), CSS filter (390-520nm)

Portable Lighting

Do not forget to wipe off screen for brightest output

¨  Flashlights

¨  High intensity for searches/night scenes

¨  Lower intensity for fingerprinting

¨  LED handheld lights - Good for viewing blood in grass, soil, water

¨  Blacklight for searching

¨  Extra scene lights/flood lights/pelican lights/portable lights for night scenes

¨  Headlamp (motion activated is a must have)

¨  Extension cords

¨  Car charger attachment for cords

Scales, Rulers

Regularly verify with NIST traceable ruler or calibrate equipment

¨  ABFO#2 L scale - Good for trace evidence, bite marks, bullet defects

¨  300mm L scale – Good for damage, footwear, tire mark

¨  6” scale of various colors, with circle on end – gray good for color metering, color chart good for injury photographs [https://arrowheadforensics.com/plastic-photo-documentation-scale---gray-with-color-chart/]

¨ Raised scale for cartridge case photography

¨  Handheld measuring tape, retractable 50 and 100 ft

¨  Tape with printed measuring tape/ruler

¨  Pre-printed scales/labeled stickers/label book

¨  Walking measuring wheel (rolling wheel) [https://www.calculated.com/mobile/prd31/DigiRoller-Plus-III.html]

¨  Laser measuring tool that works in sun/dark and for a good distance [https://shop.leica-geosystems.com/measurement-tools/disto/disto-laser-distance-meters]

¨  Handheld compass

¨  Attach a small scale to the side of your detachable flash with Velcro for use

¨  Templates with sketch designs or bullet hole sizes

¨  Wax/dental wax to hold scales/spatter sticks in place on wall

EVIDENCE MARKERS/PLACARDS

Multiple style recommended for varying scenes

¨  Cardboard, disposable

¨  Plastic or metal tents with or without scale come in letters and numbers

¨  Stickers, fillable or pre-printed

¨  Scale stickers/scale tape – bullet holes, fingerprints, tool marks, blood spots, hair/fiber, curved surfaces, etc.

¨  Small orange arrows for small areas and vehicles

¨  Reflective markers for night scene use, can be unmarked, letters or numbers [https://www.geteasymark.com/]

¨  Flags for tall grass, fields, debris piles

¨  Driveway markers for use in fields, tall grass, large parks

PPE EQUIPMENT

– Ensure equipment is not expired, it begins to disintegrate over time

Mask

¨  N95 – good for decomposition, fingerprint powder

¨  R95 – fire scene, volatile gas/fumes

¨  P95 – keeps out biological fluids, particulates, microorganisms, smog in air

¨  Respirators, multiple types dependent upon needs – P100 filter recommended for basic crime scene

 

Disposable lab coats/aprons

¨  Hair cover/Shoe covers

¨  Sleeve covers - Helpful for trace collection and black powder use

¨  Tyvek suits

 

Gloves and gloves liners

¨  Fingerless gloves or thin gloves for liners

¨  Thick gloves for searching through sharps

¨  Glove dispenser for belt or pocket liner recommended (sweat can transfer on to gloves in your pocket)

 

Disposal receptacles

¨  Biohazard/sharps/trash/chemical

DECONTAMINATE EQUIPMENT

¨  Bleach sprays/wipes

¨  Soap/water

¨  Waterless handwashing station

¨  Rubbing alcohol spray

¨  Empty tote to take back contaminated equipment for later disinfection

 

Disinfectant/cleaning solution for equipment

¨  Dawn dish soap

¨  Distilled water for cleaning/rinsing

¨  Bleach source or solution

HAND TOOLS

¨  Bolt cutters

¨  Drywall saw

¨  Goggles/face cover

¨  Hammer

¨  Muti-tool

¨  Pliers

¨  Pry bars for metal and trim

¨  Rope/twine

¨  Sand scoops

¨  Screwdrivers

¨  Shovels – curved/flat/hand shovels

¨  Socket wrench set (including a universal socket is recommended)

¨  Wood chisel

¨  Magnetic bowl/tray or belt attachment (for loose screws/bolts)

PAPER

¨  Cover sheets for photographs/video

¨  Fingerprint cards

¨  Forms agency specific

¨  Glossy backed 3x5 cards

¨  Grid paper/lined paper/blank paper

¨  Preprinted agency forms

EVIDENCE PACKAGING/COLLECTION

¨  Arson cans/bags

¨  Bags, Paper - lunch bag, grocery sack, and lawn/leaf size recommended

¨  Consider using thicker paper bags that are reinforced and don’t tear as easily [https://www.uline.com/BL_5502/Hardware-Bags?msockid=117bc35ecf91632c089cd09cce996257]

¨  Bags, Rifle – secured edge for rifles, shotguns, baseball bats, machetes, golf clubs, fire pokers, etc.[https://www.sirchie.com/kraft-evidence-bag-11-inch-x-7-inch-x-48-inch-set-of-50.html].

¨  Biohazard stickers

¨  Boxes - gun/knife– store clean, pre-fold wearing gloves

¨  Cartridge case collectors of varying levels from collection to collection and storage such as Ibis Clear case [https://leadsonline.com/clearcase], Case Grabber [https://casegrabber.com/], glassine envelopes, etc.

¨  Envelopes - glassine envelopes, paper envelopes (coin, 6x9, 10X13)

¨  Evidence tape to seal items

¨  Normal pens/pencils/Sharpie markers (retractable instead of lids, even Sharpie)

¨  Waterproof markers/pens/papers

¨  Paint marker for writing on tires/rubber

¨  Packing tape to help seal large items and large bags, reinforce the bottom of items and to cover corners of small items to prevent tearing

¨  Paper clips/rubber bands (NO STAPLES)

¨  Plastic disc containers/lid

¨  Test tubes/corks

¨  Scissors

¨  Paper towels

BAGS

¨  Body bags/ID tags (single use recommended)

¨  Drawstring hand/foot bags or paper bags with tape (single use recommended)

SCENE RE-CREATION EQUIPMENT

¨  Single use re-creation dolls/markers

¨  Video camera, small LED light for soft lighting, small microphone optional

TRACE EVIDENCE/DNA COLLECTION

¨  Evidence vacuums and new filters

¨  Known blood card for presumptive testing controls

¨  Liquid syringe

¨  Magnifying glass, glass with light

¨  Pipettes – single use or cleaned

¨  Ruler/protractor

¨  Static lift/mylar/scissors

¨  Tweezers, angled/flat or forceps (reuseable or cleaned)

¨  Water for cotton (single use ampules or refillable bottle)

 

Collection medium (DNA free, pick from options below)

¨  Acrilan cloth

¨  Cotton tipped swabs/cotton fingernail swabs (pointed tip)

¨  Cotton balls

¨  Cotton pads

¨  Cotton thread #8

¨  Coffee filters

¨  Filter paper

¨  Gauze pads

¨  Nylon flocked swabs

¨  Polyurethane foam swabs

¨  Toothpicks/nail picks

 

Packaging

¨  Butcher paper (clean, size of a bed)

¨  Glassine paper/craft paper

¨  Paper bindle (druggist fold, paper folded into envelope, can fold own or buy pre-folded bindles [https://lynnpeavey.com/product/trace-evidence-wrap/])

¨  Plastic bag/sheet protectors for tape lifts/narcotics

 

Adhesives (clean or wrapped/single use)

¨  Clean/wrapped fingerprint tape

¨  GSR stubs

¨  Gel lifters

¨  Lint roller

¨  Post it notes

 

Blades

¨  Clean knife

¨  Single use razor/scalpel blades and handles

 

Transient evidence collection mechanism

¨  Ambient temperature/humidity gauge (recommended for all scenes)

¨  Ammonia reader (for neglect/hoarding scenes)

¨  Digital meat thermometer (for soil/liquid/maggot readings)

¨  Laser thermometer (for body/item readings)

 

Casting equipment

¨  Casting frames

¨  Dental stone

¨  Distilled Water

¨  Small cardboard box for transportation

¨  Zip lock bags (large) or mixing bowls/spoons

FINGERPRINT KIT

¨  Cards (pre-printed or 3x5 cards, black or white)

¨  Magnifying glass (or with light)

 

Adhesives

¨  Fingerprint tape - 1”, 2”, 3”, or 4” tape, clear/frosted, hinged/rolls

¨  Gel lifters hand/finger size cut

 

Brushes

¨  Feather brush

¨  Fiberglass brush for regular use

¨  Horsehair brush/camelhair brush

¨  Magnetic brush

 

Powder

¨  Bi-chromatic powder

¨  Black powder/black magnetic powder

¨  Other powders of choice

 

Clean supplies

¨  DNA free powder (clean unused container/powder, with tape seal)

¨  DNA free brush (new/wrapped)

¨  If you cannot afford treated powder/brushes, take small amount of powder from brand new container, using clean scoop/folded fingerprint card, place some powder in small disc container for single use only.

TRAJECTORY KIT

¨  Angle finder/angle locator/digital angle finder

¨  Centering cones, rod connectors, rings

¨  Lasers/stand

¨  LEICA DISTO or another laser measuring device

¨  Level (not hot shoe level)

¨  Tape, masking/painters’ tape

¨  Plumb bob on string

¨  String (colored, not white)/string hooks/string clips

¨  Protractor/half protractor, laser mount optional (forensic protractor has “zero edge” for accuracy [https://www.shopevident.com/category/blood-trajectory/zero-edge-protractors])

¨  Rods – wooden/plastic/metal/fiberglass dowel rods, multiple of diameter options or cones to accommodate size change (Can be forensic rods or home made from hardware store)

¨  Scale labels/ruler tape

¨  Sharpie markers

¨  Spray fog

¨  Template sheet for hole size/angle

¨  Tips (pointed and for string attachment)

¨  Tripod or monopod with laser/camera mounts

 

PHONE APP OPTIONS FOR SCENE USE

¨  Angle finder

¨  Calipers

¨  Compass

¨  Level

¨  Plumb bob

SEARCH EQUIPMENT

¨  Endoscope camera for hard to see areas

¨  Ladder/step ladder

¨  Metal detector for land and water, with an arm and handheld

 

MAGNETS

¨  Magnet wand for small hard to reach areas

¨  Magnet on string for shallow water/silt

¨  Rolling magnet bars can be used in tall grass/fields to ensure no casings are missed

 

CANINE - can search air/water/land for

¨  Bodies/missing persons - trees hold decomp odors so dogs will often hit on trees 

¨  Drugs

¨  Electronics/SD cards

¨  Fire accelerant

¨  Firearms/cartridge cases

 

SIFTING EQUIPMENT

¨  Buckets/paper bags

¨  Handheld metal detector

¨  Screen trays - ¼ inch mesh recommended on wooden/PVC frame

¨  Trowels/shovels

 

UNDERWATER SEARCH TOOLS

¨  Canine

¨  Sonar

¨  Underwater paper/pens/pencils

¨  Underwater flashlights

¨  Waterproof metal detector – can be used in shallow water, wet sand/mud

ENTOMOLOGY

¨  Agency SOP (laminated or inside zip lock bag) and all note paperwork/forms

¨  Bleach wipes

¨  Boxes for item transportation

¨  Butterfly net/fish net – suggest 18” diameter with 3-foot handle

¨  Cooler packs (refreeze able or gel) and Styrofoam cooler for sample transport

¨  Cotton balls

¨  Dawn dish soap/wash tub/water supply

¨  Disposable spoons (for maggot collection)

¨  Ethanol/ethyl alcohol (70-95%)

¨  Fine paint brush/camel-hair brush (for egg collection)

¨  Flashlight

¨  Forceps/tweezers

¨  Graphite pencil or waterproof pen and regular retractable ink pens and Sharpie markers

¨  Hand shovel/trowel

¨  Headlamp (for hands free light)

¨  Labels for exterior packaging (adhesive labels) and heavy cotton paper labels for interior packaging

¨  Paper towels/tissue paper

¨  Pipette for aquatic sample

¨  Plastic freezer bags/zip lock bags/paper bags

¨  PPE

¨  Vials, containers, and sealant materials (neoprene stoppers or screw top closure)

¨  Ruler or scale

¨  Shovel (large and hand shovel)

¨  Solutions – premade – consider KAA for quick maggot kill on scene solution

¨  Thermometers (ambient air, probe, and laser or IR) and humidity gauge

¨  Thermos/hot water container

¨  Sticky paper strips/tape/pads

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

¨  Baby wipes/body wipes – for your hands, your face, your sweat, your arms, etc.

¨  Boots - steel shank AND steel toe

¨  Charger for phone, flashlight, equipment 

¨  Clipboard/posse box- recommend one with storage and lights

¨   Clipboard – board with clip on top to hold paper from moving for flat writing

¨   Posse box – clipboard with storage room below for forms/pens/scales/etc.

¨  EASY snacking foods such as granola bars, dry fruit

¨  First aid kit and supplies

¨  Hardhat/sun hat/rain hat/fly net hat/extra hair ties

¨  Hot/cold packs

¨  Hydration and electrolyte source

¨  Insect/sunscreen spray

¨  List of phone numbers you might need

¨  Pain reliever

¨  Pocket knife

¨  Pocket liners or pocket protectors to store gloves or envelopes DNA free

¨  Raincoat/umbrella

¨  Red dome lights for use in vehicles and for taking notes (helps reduce night blindness)

¨  Reflective vest for accident and rainy scenes

¨  Watch or time source

¨  Temperature controlling equipment

¨  Neck cooler cloth, neck fan

¨  Hand warmers, neck warmer

¨  Rain boots/mud boots