As Crime Scene Officers, we strive to be prepared to deal with any crime scene we are called to. But even with great training and a well-stocked crime kit, most of us will eventually end up at a scene where we run into a problem that we can’t easily solve with the knowledge and equipment we have at hand. Sometimes the techniques taught in classes and workshops, or the tools or equipment we have at our disposal simply won’t work given the specifics of the crime scene in front of us. When you find yourself in such a situation, you need to think outside the box.

Challenging situations often lead to important innovations. A lot of the devices and products now on the market were developed by CSOs because the product they needed didn’t exist. When you’re in a tough situation, try to find your own tool of the trade.

From: On the Scene: Improvised Tools of the Trade by Dick Warrington in Who Says You Can't Do That?