When fatal vehicle accidents occur, as an investigator, you need to document the scene, record and collect evidence, take measurements and map the scene for accident reconstruction.

During your investigation, the road can be closed down for several hours delaying motorists and affecting businesses that rely on that roadway. It's imperative that you are able to work efficiently to properly investigate the scene and get the road opened back up.

In this article, we’ll examine the pain points of investigators working on dark roadways and how different types of lights can help investigators work easier, faster, and safer.

Needs and Pain Points

• Your team needs to work efficiently! Time is money, and when a road is closed for an investigation, it is costly to businesses, the city, and the department.
• You need to be independent. If you are relying on other officers or departments for lighting, your efforts are compromised when they need to leave the scene, taking your lighting with them.
• The accident scene is potentially large. A major traffic accident investigation can span anywhere from several hundred feet to a mile in distance. You need to be able to move all of your equipment across the scene.
• Weather is unpredictable. When inclement weather comes in, you have the added stress of keeping your cameras and measuring tools dry and clean while you continue to process the scene.
• Your investigation team is small. Investigation teams are often 1-2 person teams, so it is essential that you can transport and manage all of your equipment around an accident scene with ease. 

FoxFury Solutions

Nomad 360

Breakthrough BT2+

Scout Clip Light

Rugo RC

EXOLANDER© Drone System

How Do These Solutions Help Traffic Investigators?

• Work faster and more efficiently with lights that deploy in seconds.
• Position the light exactly where you need it. With portable, battery-operated lights, you won't be constrained by cords.
• All FoxFury lights are completely waterproof (IPX7) so when the weather comes in, you can focus on keeping your cameras and other tools dry.
• Enjoy less stress and fewer miscommunications with silent battery operation.
• The accident scene is safer with cordless lights with fewer trip hazards for investigators.

Let's break down the different lights that you can use for your accident investigations and how they can benefit you.

360 Scene Light

The Nomad 360 scene light provides 360°, area or spot beams giving you more options to fit your needs. It features a long runtime of 3-24 hours to last all the way through the night.

The 8 1/2’ maximum height extends over walls and vehicles for even illumination. The extended height also keeps the light out of your eye line for less brightness fatigue.

Benefits

• Illuminate the accident scene more evenly for less shadows.
• Experience less physical and eye fatigue in a well-lit scene.
• Cameras capture better quality images for documentation.
• Tailor the light intensity for your team's needs.

Breakthrough BT2+

Find debris, victims or evidence from up to 1000 ft/330 m away with the powerful Breakthrough BT2+ handheld spotlight. This 90° flashlight has a concentrated 2° beam that cuts through fog and smoke so you can see further.  The BT2+ features durable construction that is waterproof, impact-resistant, and fire-resistant.

Benefits

• You always have a powerful and lightweight spotlight in your hands
• Easy to hold and operate, even with heavy gloves
• Easily clean and decon the BT2+ if you get biological or toxic matter on it.

To learn more, read our How to Choose a Right Angle Light article

Scout Clip Light with White and Red LEDs

The FoxFury Scout Clip Light with White and Red LEDs is a versatile clip light that serves as a utility light, task light, or safety beacon.

The compact Scout features a J-Clip that will securely attach to straps, belts, molle, or pockets for multi-wear options. Its white light, red light, and red/white flashing modes expand its potential for many different uses.

Benefits

• Improved safety with enhanced visibility
• The compact shape doesn’t interfere with body movement when clipped to the body.
• Night vision preservation with red light

Rugo

The FoxFury Rugo™ is a rugged go-anywhere lighting tool designed for various uses, including photo and video, drone visibility, search, and inspection. The Tri-Lens offers 25°, 55° and 120° beams. The Quick Swap Power Pack provides 1-6 hours of runtime. 

Benefits

• See your subject easier with constant light
• Your camera will focus faster with the subject lit by continuous light.
• Dial in the perfect amount and beam of light with the variable Tri-Lens and 3 different power modes.
• Versatility: Rugo can be used for multiple applications and uses

Click here to see how Fire Investigator, Aaron Beckman uses the Rugo to document his investigations

EXOLANDER^© Drone Systems

The EXOLANDER^© Drone System is a custom, adaptable frame system that provides a more stable landing platform for your drone. It allows you to mount anti-collision lights, spotlights, and payload delivery systems to your drone. Models are available for Autel, DJI, Yuneec and Skydio.

Benefits

• Fly, launch and land more confidently with the larger, more stable footprint with landing skids.
• Use the tools you need for search, overwatch, aerial assessment and mapping.
• Keep your drone cleaner and drier when landing in wet or dusty environments.

Conclusion 

Using a full lighting solution allows traffic investigators to work faster, more safely and get better results for their investigation. 

• Investigators can investigate and document the scene faster to get roads opened sooner and save the department and city money.
• Investigator’s cameras capture better images that make it easier to examine and build better reconstruction models.
• The sole investigator can quickly move and set up lights to document and process a whole accident scene by themselves.
• Investigators don’t have to rely on others for lighting, making them more independent

Click here to see how Traffic Investigator, James Lantz uses a full solution of lights for his accident investigations!