When you go on an investigation your group usually sets up a command center or command base. This is the spot where your monitors and all the cameras feed into. It can be a table in a room at the location or in a van outside of the investigation spot. My personal preference is to use a class C Recreational Vehicle or Motor Home. The RV can serve many functions during an investigation. Not only as a command center but also as a first aid station, rest area and as equipment and personnel transport.
There are pros and cons to using the RV, and ultimately it is up to the team leader for that investigation.
Pros
- If no power to the investigation location, RV has a generator that can power the equipment.
- If you use the generator, make sure to take the noise into account when doing audio analysis, or better yet make a test from one of the hot spots and see how bad the generator noise is.
- Can transport up to eight team members to the investigation site.
- Can transport all of the equipment to the investigation site.
- Has a built in rest room.
- Has built in table to put the monitors.
- If allowed by the client, the RV can plug into the power and water.
- Has a refrigerator to keep lunches in and a microwave to heat up food.
- Has beds to lay down in if team members overcome with nausea or for first aid reasons.
- First Aid can be administered from the vehicle.
Cons
- Usually uses a lot of gas.
- If using the generator need to make sure have a full tank of gas.
- Generator can be noisy.
My question to you is when your group goes on an investigation, how is your command center set up?
