Brown Specialty Vehicles Builds C.S.I. Unit for Oakland County, MI
LAWRENCE, Kan - January 13, 2012 - The Oakland County (MI) Sheriff's department has received a new, state of the art mobile crime scene investigation unit. The unit, built by Brown Specialty Vehicles in Lawrence (KS), will provide the Oakland County Sheriff’s department with the ability to efficiently analyze crime scenes when out in the field.
The all-aluminum body is built on a Ford F-550 chassis and features an Onan diesel generator supplied with fuel from a 50 gallon chassis tank to facilitate extended off-site use. The modified freight body features a new rear step package, and is designed with electric side and rear awnings. A full HVAC package is included to provide a comfortable workspace in inclement climates.
"We are pleased to have worked, from the initial planning stages, with the Oakland County Sheriff's Department on its C.S.I. vehicle," says Ron Smith, Brown's business development manager. "It is being placed into service in a county with over 1.2 million residents. Input and feedback from the Forensic Department created a vehicle suitable for use in a combined urban/rural environment. The vehicle was designed to work autonomously or in conjunction with other Department Divisions in processing crime scenes and solving cases."
The interior of the vehicle features aluminum cabinets, stainless steel workstation counters, stainless steel sink, OSHA certified chemical cabinet, and a keyed gun locker. All necessary forensic tools are built-in as well, including a 3M Cogent Fusion Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). A flat screen TV with roof-mounted antenna is also included.
"The vehicle will be an asset to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the Forensic Laboratory as we assist the other 42 law enforcement agencies within our county," says Oakland County Crime Scene Supervisor, Bill Foreman. "To be able to collect and package our evidence on the scene will be great."
The unit, which is currently receiving decals and other finishing touches, was delivered on December 21, 2011 and is expected to officially join the Oakland County fleet by the end of January 2012.