LED Crime Scene Tools for Forensics Professionals

Find out why LEDs are better for crime scene investigations and crime scene photography.

An essential tool for the crime scene investigator, specialised light sources provide more sensitivity than the human eye could ever provide, thus increasing the amount of evidence and the quality of evidence photographed and collected. Advances in LED technology allow crime scene investigators to significantly increase the number of suspects apprehended by the fast and accurate collection of strong, convicting evidence. More and more criminals are successfully prosecuted. Professional crime scene kits have many uses. To name a few: Fingerprint detection: Detecting fingerprints can be especially difficult on surfaces such as plastic bags, tinfoil, or grainy wood. A crime scene kit will help to uncover evidence that otherwise may not have been discovered. Detecting traces of body fluids: Many body fluids such as semen and saliva naturally fluoresces. A crime scene kit will help the investigator to find specific locations of stain, thus eliminating the need to send an entire mattress for example to the lab. Blue wavelength is particularly beneficial when inspecting fabrics which have been washed. Detergents commonly have brightening agents which may cause the whole towel or article of clothing to fluoresces under UV. A 455 nM blue light will make it easier to see the evidence itself, and not the fluorescence of the whitening agent. Hair and fibres: Investigators may first use an extremely bright, white light to discover hair and fibre evidence that can be seen with the naked eye. However, a UV or blue light will make certain hair and fibre evidence missed by the white light to stand out so that they can be easily collected. Wound investigation: Crime scene kits can even illuminate the area around a flesh wound, making it possible for the investigators to see a shoe mark for example on the victim. Security markings: Stripes on currency and special marks on passports and drivers licenses are easily viewed with the appropriate light source. The option of a smooth beam is particularly important to the forensic photographers. A tight beam option is available for NDT professionals. NDT means ‘non-destructive testing’. NDT professionals examine materials without destroying the object. They ensure product reliability and quality. Yellow and orange glasses are available. Yellow filter glasses are suitable for UV flashlights. They block all blue ALS wavelengths below 400 nM. Orange glasses are used with 455nM blue light sources. They effectively block all blue ALS wavelengths at 450-470nM. Yellow and orange glasses (for viewing) or lenses (for photography) improve contrast and enhance the image. Regulated and non-regulated models are available. If you have a requirement for consistent UV output power over the life or charge of the batteries, or a requirement for reproducibility, then a regulated model is what you are looking for. Non-regulated models are very bright with fresh batteries, but as the batteries discharge, the output will decrease. The advantage of regulated modules is consistent output; the advantage of non-regulated modules is that many more hours of usable output can be obtained from a set of batteries, which may sometimes be more important in the field. We offer you both. In general, LEDs light up instantly. There is no warm up period or flicker. LEDs are more efficient than lasers or fluorescent lamps. There are no disposal issues. Fluorescent lamps contain mercury and must be disposed of properly and treated as hazardous material should they break. LED flashlights and lanterns are relatively small, lightweight, and there are no bulbs to replace. Expect 10,000 plus hours of reliable performance. Custom crime scene kits with other options are available. Our professionals can help.

By: Mary Wecker