Mobile Animal CSI Unit

[and-justice-for-all]

If you caught the unveiling of this specially designed, first-of-its-kind vehicle on national TV, you know how excited we are about the Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit. With our very own Dr. Melinda Merck, the nation’s premier forensic veterinarian and animal CSI, at the wheel, the vehicle will be available to travel to assist national and local law enforcement in their efforts to build cases against and prosecute animal cruelty offenders:
What it is
- Ford E-450 (full-size van) customized by La Boit Inc.
- 26 feet in length, climate-controlled, full electronics suite with generator

What it can do
The Mobile Animal CSI Unit will allow Dr. Merck to process any suspected crime scene more quickly and more efficiently. Because she’ll be working on-site, rather than transporting animals and other evidence, this will reduce the stress placed on the animals. It will also provide for a proven chain of custody, ensuring the integrity of evidence.

Special features
The vehicle is fully outfitted to allow Dr. Merck to examine and care for animals found at suspected crime scenes, and includes a surgical suite. The on-board equipment includes:

General supplies such as a Digital SLR camera, crime scene tape, a stretcher for animal transport, and face masks;
Medical examination and surgical equipment to evaluate and treat animals for emergency life-threatening conditions, as well as necropsy equipment, including digital microscope, digital x-ray machine, sexual assault kit and anesthesia/oxygen machine;
Blood evidence supplies such as Phenolphthalein, Blue Star imaging equipment and blood spatter photo scales;
Evidence collection supplies such as packaging and identification kits, entomology collection supplies and a Tiger UV light source to detect trace evidence; and
Grave detection and exhumation equipment including soil sampler, sifter, GPS unit, compass and digital distance measuring devices.

Knowledge Is Power: The ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Institute

The ASPCA will break ground on the nation’s first Anti-Cruelty Institute in New York in 2008. This institute will be dedicated to educating veterinarians and law enforcement officials about how to recognize and respond to animal cruelty. Scheduled to open in 2010, the facility will include a forensic laboratory, veterinary hospital and treatment center for animals who are victims of cruelty.

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_mobileanimalcsiunit

[alstephenson]

1. Great idea! I saw it on Today this morning.