Forensic services takes to the air

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jo-Ann Miller has announced the expansion of the Queensland Police Service’s suite of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs).

The Photographic Section of the Forensic Services Group now have two operationally deployable RPAs (or drones) to assist at crime scenes across Queensland.

Police Minister Miller said in an Australian-first for a Forensic Services Group, the QPS Photographics Section would now have two operationally deployable RPAs (or drones) to assist at crime scenes across Queensland.

“Our forensic services officers have a vitally important job. They go to great lengths to scour a crime scene for the tiniest bit of evidence that may make all the difference to a case,” Minister Miller said.

“These new drones will offer investigators the opportunity to record a comprehensive aerial overview of crime scenes – something that they haven’t been able to do before now.

“They have now been integrated into the Forensic Services Group as business as usual, meaning they are now available to officers to search challenging crime scenes” Police Minister Miller said.

Assistant Commissioner Alistair Dawson said that Forensic Services’ have two Vertical Take-off and Landing RPAs. Both are constructed of carbon fibre with one having eight motors and the other four.

“Both RPAs are fitted with high resolution cameras capable of capturing video and still images,” Assistant Commissioner Dawson said.

“Aerial photographs and video taken from an RPA will greatly assist with the gathering of evidence in the forensic service environment.”

“We will be able to forensically search for evidence in places that have a degree of inaccessibility.” Assistant Commissioner Dawson said.

The RPAs have been integrated into the Forensic Services Group as business as usual.

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2015/05/28/forensic-services-takes-to-the-air/