Louisiana Sheriff's Office Converts Transport Van to Crime Scene Unit
The Saint Martin Parish Sheriff's Office decision to convert the van ultimately came down to cost.
Christy Grimes・Former Senior Editor
February 14, 2023
The St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff's Office converted a 2015 Nissan Cargo Van that previously served as a transport vehicle to a mobile crime scene unit.
Photo: St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office
1 min to read
The Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff's Office recently converted an old transport van to serve a new purpose. The 2015 Nissan Cargo Van now serves as a crime scene response van, a Capt. Ginny Higgins with the sheriff's office told Government Fleet.
What Was Changed in the Van
The seats inside the van were removed and a rubber mat was installed on the floor for stability and traction. Utility shelving units were installed for sanitation and equipment and extra lighting.
Photo: St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office
The seats inside the van were removed and a rubber mat was installed on the floor for stability and traction. Utility shelving units were installed for sanitation and equipment and extra lighting. Additionally, a utility table was installed on the back door. An inverter was installed for extra power, along with a portable generator for lighting purposes when working in remote areas.
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The conversion process began in mid-fall 2021 and was completed about a year ago.
Saving Money Through Conversion
The cost to convert St. Martin Parish's new mobile crime scene unit came to $6,500.
Photo: St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office
The decision to convert the van ultimately came down to cost. The total conversion cost, including the new paint job, wrap, and shelving, was approximately $6,500. That amount also includes the crime scene supplies that were placed in the van.
Even though the vehicle has high mileage, it's only used as a specialized vehicle and is not driven on a daily basis.
All work was completed in-house, with the exception of the wrap.
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