Tech Insider: How to Cut Through Red Tape to Get the Scene Documentation Technology Your Agency Needs

Digital scene documentation technology is essential to allowing police departments, investigators, and juries get to the truth. But how can you cut through budget restrictions and bureaucratic red tape to invest in the technology your agency really needs?

Darrell provides guidance on how agencies can evaluate a technology before investing in it, the biggest misconceptions law enforcement professionals have about digital scene documentation, and why Leica is the preferred technology provider for so many police agencies. He shares stories from his time in the police force, like when he first discovered laser scanning and when he served as an expert witness in a case where the scanning made all the difference in examining the integrity of a defense attorney’s argument. 

Along the way, he talks about balancing the professional and personal life, navigating bureaucracy when you want to invest in tech, and creative ways to fund an investment in digital scene documentation. 

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About the insider:

Darrell Whitfield served 27 years with the Chattanooga Police Department in Tennessee, USA. During his law enforcement career, he worked in undercover narcotics and vice and as a patrol officer before moving to the Crime Scene Unit as an investigator. There he quickly progressed to sergeant and then lieutenant, playing a crucial role in modernizing procedures and technology until his retirement in 2016.

Darrell began using laser scanning technology in 2011, starting with the industry-standard Leica ScanStation C10. Recognizing the need for standards for evidence identification, collection and preservation procedures, he spearheaded the creation of a crime scene manual for the unit.

Currently, Darrell is the U.S. East account manager for Leica Geosystems’ Public Safety & Forensics team. He assists agencies in adopting advanced 3D laser scanning and mapping technologies, leveraging his extensive law enforcement experience to provide tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency and accuracy. Darrell's work continues his dedication to public safety and forensic science, combining his passion for law enforcement and cutting-edge technology.