CSI Improvised Tools of the Trade

Though all CSI's go through difficult and extensive training, sometimes what's learned in the classroom doesn't help in the field. When they encounter obstacles that can not be overcome using there nifty kits, CSI's are required to think "out of the box". Many times a CSI has faced a situation in which they must improvise and find a solution to there problem with the tools given to them. Many "tools of the trade" started as improvisational gadgets thought of by CSI's in the field.
For example, one tool being the Blue Light Special, was created in 1994. This tool was a hand held blue light which allowed Investigators to find urine, semen, and saliva samples at the scene of the crime. Pre-Blue Light Special, the only lights for finding these specimens where huge crime-lab lights which costed upwards of thousands of dollars. So, CSI's had to collect everything they believed contained evidence then bring it back to the lab to examine it. Now with The Blue Light Special the crime scene would no longer have to be completely disturbed.
Another device which started as an improvised gadget is the Eagle-Eye Pole. The Eagle-Eye Pole is a pole that you strap a camera to the end of to be able to take birds-eye view photos. Prior to the Eagle-Eye CSI's would have to call in tree trimers or use latters to raise themselve from the scene to be able to take a photo.

Newspaper or Magazine Article:
Warrington, Dick. "On the Scene: Improvised Tools of the Trade."Forensics Magazine : .