I See You!
Technology changes almost as fast as the price of gasoline. The need for change is driven by the constantly evolving criminal element. Bad guys spend a lot of time inventing new ways to beat the system. Unfortunately, their advances force law enforcement officials to play a frantic game of catch up. Police would love to spend their days being proactive, stopping crime before it happens. However, since there is no Good-Guy crystal ball or magic crime detecting formula, the world of cops and robbers is a largely reactive business.
Crooks aren’t the only people working in laboratories inventing new tools. Experts are forever devising new tools to combat crime and things that keep police officers safe. Here are a few of those handy-dandy gadgets:
Prism 200
The Prism 200 is a through-wall radar unit that’s capable of penetrating most materials, including block and brick. The devise allows officers to detect human movement inside most buildings and rooms. It can be operated manually, at close range, or remotely, from a distance.
E3500
The E3500 is a handheld detection device that uses Luminol Chemilux to detect the presence of most explosive devices, including homemade bombs and military and commercial explosives.
VE 6000
The VE6000 is a system used for detecting vehicle mounted explosive devices.
Under The Door Scope
This scope allows officers to see what’s inside a room before entering.
Gas Tank Scope
Through-Wall Scope
Reverse Peephole Scope
The reverse peephole scope allows officers to look inside a home or business using the peephole in the door.
Fiberscope
Fiberscopes can be used to search areas, such as the locker above, without breaking doors or locks.
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* By the way, I’m back home, but only for a few days, because I’ll be on the road again this weekend.
I’ll leave you with uninterrupted Graveyard Shift posts, but during travel my internet service is limited. Therefore, I’m not able to respond as often as I like. Please bear with me. Things will be back to normal in a couple weeks. I promise.
And…Many thanks to the wonderful members of the Carolina Romance Writers of America. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of you in Charlotte on Saturday. We’ll have to do it again sometime. I have a few more stories up my sleeve.
My dept’s drug unit used to use a thermal imager to check for hot spots for a suspected marijuana grow lab (ref. the artificial grow lights) but I can’t specifically remember if they needed a warrant. My guess would be they would.
Also, its always best to get a warrant if time allows.
That’s perfect. I know in the case of suspected endangerment police can enter a home. But if, let’s say the police had cause to believe that a remote house was being used as a meth lab, they couldn’t scan with a thermal device for hot spots without a warrant, could they?
Hi Wilfred,
Please allow me to jump in with a response to your question, since Lee may not be able to answer.
Basically, nothing can be searched without a warrant, but exceptions can be made. In fact, the vast majority of police searches fall into the exception category.
As to the listed devices, I would offer comment on two scenarios that may apply.
First, with the scanner searching cars for bombs (and similarly – metal detectors at airports, courthouses, etc.), as long as every car is scanned and not a particular one, there should be no problem.
Another factor that often determines the validity of a warrantless search is the exigency of the situation. As in the case of a bomb detection device, a reasonable argument can be made that to obtain a warrant would take too long and therefore needlessly endanger life.
The same can be said of using a thermal device, or something like the Prism 200 listed above, to look into a house in the event of a hostage situation.
I hope that helps, though I know it is often about as clear as mud.
Oh, good question.
Okay, so would you need a warrent to use any of the devices above?
Lotta peeping tom going on there ! That must be some high priced equipment. Do branches share that ?
Terry, you don’t sound very committed.
Lee, you forgot to mention the most common bomb detection device. It’s what we used to use with a suspicious package.
Rookies.
We’ll try to behave, Lee. I don’t know how hard, or if we’ll succeed, but we’ll give it a shot.