In today’s ever-evolving criminal landscape, precision and accuracy are not luxuries—they’re necessities. From analyzing evidence at crime scenes to processing forensic samples in controlled environments, laboratory equipment plays a pivotal role in supporting the integrity of investigations.

Without reliable lab supplies, officers and forensic examiners would be left with guesswork instead of hard evidence, risking justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.

Fast, Safe, and Accurate

In modern policing, lab equipment serves as the unsung hero behind many breakthrough investigations. Powerful tools—ranging from microscopes, chemical analyzers, and digital forensic kits—transform raw evidence into actionable insights. They help investigators decode the mysteries of crime scenes with speed and precision.

One such tool comes from Foster+Freeman. Since 1978, Foster+Freeman has designed and manufactured advanced technologies for forensic investigations, empowering professionals at the crime scene and in the laboratory. In 1999, the company revolutionized fingerprint forensics by launching a new line, pioneering the first-ever digital capture system (DCS) and enabling laboratories worldwide to transition from the slow, cumbersome processing of traditional film photography.

Building on this legacy, DCSs have continuously evolved with advancements in camera and lighting technology, alongside powerful new software capabilities. Today, the DCS 6 workstation represents another monumental leap forward by integrating cutting-edge shortwave reflected UV imaging into its comprehensive suite of examination tools. “It represents a significant technological leap, building of Foster+Freeman’s quarter century of pioneering innovation in forensic imaging,” said Darren Corbett, head of marketing at Foster+Freeman.¹ The DCS 6 is a state-of-the-art laboratory workstation meticulously engineered for the complete process of fingerprint examination (e.g., visualization, photographic capture, and digital enhancement).

At its core, DCS 6 leverages the custom-modified Nikon Z9 flagship mirrorless camera. This integration delivers unprecedented advancements in image resolution, superior low-light performance, and expanded dynamic range. The system is able to capture exceptionally fine ridge detail with absolute clarity, even from challenging or barely visible fingermarks. It is even capable of producing AFIS-quality images up to 1000 ppi.

Beyond the camera’s capabilities, the DCS 6 boasts an optimized workstation design, which has been developed from extensive user feedback. With integrated storage, as well as an intuitive multilingual software interface, the design prioritizes user experience and workflow efficiency. The system’s advanced illumination methods serve as a key differentiator from other models, providing forensic professionals with an ultimate multispectral toolkit. “The entire system benefits from Foster+Freeman’s most ambitious software undertaking to date, providing powerful post-capture enhancement capabilities with a comprehensive image tamper detection audit trail, ensuring absolute evidence integrity from capture to analysis,” said Corbett.

Another useful crime lab tool is the CQL Narc-ID from Rigaku Analytical Devices.

As police agencies face an escalating challenge to safely and effectively identify the growing spectrum of illicit narcotics, they must also contend with time-consuming evidence processing protocols that delay investigations, case resolution, and judicial proceedings. “Traditional drug identification workflows can no longer keep pace,” said Marketing Director Jen Lynch.² “Law enforcement leaders are seeking solutions that improve efficiency, protect personnel, and maintain evidentiary integrity—especially in environments where staffing and resources are constrained and at risk.”

Rigaku Analytical Devices recognized a need to develop and produce handheld analytical technology for fast, safe, and accurate chemical threat analysis while in the field or laboratory. “Our portfolio of handheld Raman analyzers are specifically designed for the accurate identification of narcotics, hazardous material, explosives, and other chemical threats,” said Lynch. The Rigaku CQL Narc-ID is the flagship handheld Raman analyzer for narcotics enforcement. With 1064 nm Raman technology, users can scan through translucent packaging and identify dirty or mixed substances at the point of need. Raman spectroscopy utilizes a laser source that activates or excites the molecules of a substance, causing light to scatter. This is read by a detector and results in a spectrum that contains a series of peaks that relate to features in the sample’s molecular structure. Each compound’s spectrum is unique and serves as a chemical fingerprint that can be used to identify an unknown compound when matched against the CQL Narc-ID’s library. It currently boasts around 1,200 compounds, but users also have the ability to update the library with emerging narcotic analogues.

The CQL Narc-ID enables frontline officers, narcotics units, and crime lab professionals to scan and identify substances in seconds. Typical scan time is less than 1 minute, and the results are accepted by the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs as a Category A technique for analyzing seized drugs. This technique improves officer safety and reduces lab backlogs by cutting average narcotics-case turnaround from weeks to days.

Although lab equipment can be beneficial, it can also take up a large amount of space or even be a hazard if left in the open. Lockers provide a secure, organized space for storing sensitive lab tools and gear, protecting them from contamination, damage, and unauthorized access.

Salsbury Industries offers a comprehensive range of locker solutions tailored to the unique needs of law enforcement. “We recognized the importance of providing officers with lockers that offer quick access to their gear while ensuring the security of their belongings,” said Marketing Manager Justin James.³ Both the Designer Wood Locker and the Open Access Standard Metal Locker are designed with functionality and durability in mind.

The Designer Wood Locker provides a more aesthetic look by combining wood laminate construction with an open-access design, integrated locking mechanisms, and a variety of finishes to suit different interior designs. The Standard Metal Locker is constructed from 16-gauge steel and features an open access design for immediate gear retrieval, vented panels for airflow, and multiple width options to accommodate various storage needs. Both are available in 24-inch widths.

“Since the introduction of these lockers, we’ve observed an increased emphasis on the importance of secure and organized storage solutions in police stations,” said James. “By providing secure and accessible storage, we help ensure that officers can quickly retrieve their gear when needed, maintain the organization of their belongings, and uphold the integrity of their equipment.”

Conclusion

Without innovative tools within a laboratory, the pursuit of justice would be far more uncertain, as officers would be forced to rely on instinct rather than irrefutable proof. Lab equipment not only elevates the accuracy and reliability of investigations but also reinforces public trust in the criminal justice system.

As technology continues to advance, so too will the capacity of forensic laboratories to uncover truths that might otherwise remain hidden. By investing in modern tools and training, police agencies can better serve their communities, reduce investigative errors, and ensure that justice isn’t just pursued—but achieved. The future of policing lies not just on patrol but also within the lab.d

Notes:
¹Darren Corbett (head of marketing, Foster+Freeman), email interview, July 3, 2025.

²Jen Lynch (marketing director, Rigaku Analytical Devices), email interview, June 24, 2025.

³Justin James (marketing manager, Salsbury Industries), email interview, July 2, 2025.

Please cite as:

“Decoding the Evidence,” Product Feature, Police Chief 92, no. 8 (August 2025): 52-55.