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{{Disclaimer}}
{{JobPageHeader
{{JobPageHeader
|headerbgcolor = darkred
|headerbgcolor = #af6366
|headerfontcolor = white
|headerfontcolor = white
|stafftype = SECURITY
|stafftype = SECURITY
|imagebgcolor = #ff9999
|imagebgcolor = #e3c9ca
|img_generic = Generic_detective.png
|img_generic = Generic_detective.png
|img = Detective.png
|img = Detective.png
|jobtitle = Detective
|jobtitle = Detective
|titles=Forensic Analyst, Private Eye
|access = [[Brig]], [[Detective's Office]], [[Morgue]], [[Maintenance]], Weapon Permit
|access = [[Brig]], [[Detective's Office]], [[Morgue]], [[Maintenance]], Weapon Permit
|additional = [[Security]]
|difficulty = Medium
|difficulty = Medium
|superior = [[Head of Security]]
|superior = [[Head of Security]]
|duties = Investigate crimes, gather evidence, look badass, smoke cigarettes
|duties = Investigate crimes, gather evidence, look badass, smoke cigarettes, drink yourself into oblivion when every other officer ignores your suspects and your words
|guides = [[Guide to security]], [[Space Law]]
|guides = [[Guide to security]], [[Space Law]], [[Guide to Trials]], [[Standard Operating Procedure]]
}}
|quote = Uh, I just sssaw the chef gib the clown. You folksss gonna do anythin' about that? Or thisss the kinda day where what I sssay don't matter?
''It was a quiet day on station, not much different than any other day, or any other week... but I could tell there was something wrong. There hadn't been a murder in a long time. Either way, I stopped over by the vending machine to take a pack of smokes, and after that I wandered back to my office. It was a quiet place. Too quiet. I glanced from my T.V monitor to my over-stuffed cabinet. Was there a hidden wall somewhere built by an assistant or the lawyer? There's usually a lot of that sort of thing happening on the station. People spreading disease, traitors, brain washed revolutionaries, mass-murdering wizards, or just plain whack-jobs with space madness. You never knew if you were going to get hit or be drawn to be the hitter. I drew a smoke, the only thing I knew that could make me relax. I took in a breath of that sweet death and looked to my beautiful .38. I knew something awful was going to go down soon. Too soon, I'd say. I loaded up my revolver and packed my forensic scanner. I'm going to find these criminals, and i'm going to find them before they find me.''
|age=22}}
[[File:Detective'sOffice.png|300px|thumb|alt=Forensics|Your Office, and your Castle]]


[[File:Detective'sOffice.png|300px|thumb|alt=Forensics|[[Detective's Office|Your Office]]]]<br>


The detective's job is to investigate the remains of any crime, identify the perpetrator, and then ask Security to arrest them for you. That's right, you have limited security access because you're supposed to be an evidence collector and hunter of monsters, not a god damn [[Security Officer|beat cop]] or [[warden]].
'''Welcome to the land of red tape, friend.'''


'''You are not security. You are an investigator. Your revolver is only for self-defense.'''
Your job as the Detective is to discover crimes, identify their perpetrators, and report it all to the rest of Security. Use your radio, and use it often.  


==Problem Sleuth==
'''You are not a full member of Security and should not be making arrests under most circumstances. Your revolver is considered a lethal weapon, to be used sparingly.'''


As a detective, your primary duty is to go to crime scenes and find out who committed them. You can do this with your Forensic Scanner.
'''<u>Review Space Law and make sure you know how and when you should act.</u>'''


Your Forensic Scanner is located in your backpack. Go to the crime scene, take a picture with your camera and then scan all the surfaces around the scene such as doors and walls. You should also scan (and collect using evidence bags) any evidence you see, as well as the bodies of any dead victims provided they haven't been dragged to [[Geneticist|genetics]] or the [[morgue]] already.
'''Bare minimum requirements:''' Don't die in maintenance, scan crime scenes, and report your findings to Security.
=="Bona Fide" Officer==
As a Detective, your primary duty is to investigate crime scenes and use the tools provided to you to identify the perpetrators. A Forensic Scanner, security console, and your ID should be all you need to snag most suspects.  


If the latter case is true, head on over to the morgue and scan the body. Hopefully the person who brought them in wore gloves, though unfortunately this is hardly ever the case. Make sure that you identify who brought them in and question them so that they don't get arrested for murder.
Your Forensic Scanner is located in your backpack, and the closet in your office has a spare. Go to a crime scene when you're called and start scanning anything of importance. If you're the one that finds a crime scene, inform Security before you begin your investigation. Airlocks, bodies, weapons, blood, and possessions are all prime targets for scanning. Your Forensic Scanner can store more logs than you'll ever need, and, if needed, you can also recall past scans or even print off a forensic report to review information you've gathered. Especially important is scanning any bodies for prints and fibers, provided that they haven't been hauled off by the [[Paramedic|Paramedics]] yet. Airlocks are also incredibly useful to scan, assuming the crime happened in an area that most wouldn't be moving through. At the very least, you can get a list of people who have been around, and question them individually on your own time. If the crime is [[Space_Law#Severe_Crimes|severe]] enough, ask your [[Security Officer|fellow, loyal officers]] for help in bringing suspects in.


'''Remember to ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear your gloves, or you will record your own prints after touching a surface, body, or item. This will at best slow identification down, and at worst get you thrown into the brig for the very crime you were investigating or for just being incompetent.'''
If any victims (or suspects) have already been hauled off to [[Medbay|Medical]], then you'll want to get over there ASAP and scan any bodies before any more [[Medical Doctor|greasy doctors]] touch them. Try to get any information you can from the Medical staff or officers present: damage types, who brought them in, who's touched the corpse. The more information you get, the more you can ignore irrelevant facts or focus on curious ones.


Now, head back to your office. If you haven't already, print out the scanner results. If you found any DNA, access the [[medical records|medical records computer]], this is how you can identify the perpetrators of the crime. If you have fingerprints, open up [[security records]] and compare the results to that of any suspects. For example, if the Captain was murdered in his office with no evident sign of a break in, try comparing the fingerprints you found to that of people who could freely access his office such as the Head of Personnel.
'''Guard bodies if you have to. One of the best witnesses to a crime is the victim themselves. If they're revived via non-cloning methods, they retain their memories, which include how they died. And, most likely, who killed them.'''
===Scene Analysis 101===
Any object that is touched by someone without gloves will have their fingerprints on it (with the exception of fingerless gloves). This includes interaction, pick-up, drop, and manipulation of any kind. There is a chance for someone to leave behind traces of their clothing under the same interactions. The options can be their uniform, their exosuit, and/or their gloves.


Finding fibers can either improve or throw off your lead. For example, if the Captain mentioned earlier was found to have yellow glove fibers and grey jumpsuit fibers, the chances that an assistant murdered him are much higher. However, if you find black glove fibers and nothing else, forensics can take you no further as black gloves can be traced down to anybody, including you.
'''Keep your forensics gloves on all the time, so you don't confuse your own traces with others.'''
*The crime scene is your stage. Make sure any Heads of Staff or other officers present touch as little as possible and steer clear while you work. This is especially problematic if they touch vital evidence, as you won't be able to confirm certain traces if a black-gloved officer or an insulated-gloved Chief Engineer goes and touches the bloody toolbox present in the scene.
*Beyond using your Forensic Scanner on pretty much every upturned bush in sight, it's important to look around and take notes of out-of-place things, as well as searching around in general.
*If there are bullet casings, but no gun, you can assume it's been hidden, or far more likely, on the suspect.
*Search plants, boxes, containers, see if anything is out of place or something was left behind. Carry a T-Ray Scanner and a crowbar on you (easily found in Tool Storage, printed at an [[autolathe]], or the Engineering [[protolathe]]), and check under the floor for Smuggler Satchels: bags that can be hidden underneath floors. Leave nothing uncounted for and no stone unturned.
* Clever criminals might store their incriminating items in a Secure Briefcase. You can use a Multitool to brute force these open, bypassing the need for learning the code to access the contents within.
*You can take blood from a body using a syringe and scan the syringe to get the DNA string of who it belongs to.
*Any reagents in any item can be discovered by a scan, including food.
*A medical analyzer (your PDA comes with a built-in one) can be used to ascertain a time-of-death on a cadaver, assuming it isn't older than 15 minutes.
*Use the evidence bags you spawn with to collect any suspicious items you find, be it [[Contraband|"contraband"]], [[Syndicate Items|contraband]], [[high-risk items]], anything with blood on it, or anything that doesn't belong in the department. Take any bagged evidence you have to the Evidence Lockup, in the [[Brig]], to the [[Warden]] (if it's restricted), or return said high-risk items to their owners.
Once you're done investigating a crime scene, return to your office or the nearest [[Security Post]]. You have access to every departmental post, assuming you can enter said department to access it. This does not include the Arrivals Checkpoint. Regardless, all of these will have a Security Records console, while your own office will also have a Medical Records console. In a pinch, you can also use a computer in Medical to access Medical Records.


If you get a single hit, you've got your guy. Make sure to set him to arrest and bring him in for questioning. Make sure you write down what crimes they actually committed in the appropriate boxes, and that you tell the rest of security over the radio to arrest them, otherwise nothing will get done. After that you may want to trail down the suspect yourself if you aren't otherwise busy and the case is of high importance. Being able to stop them from committing another crime can help you understand their motives and prevent theft and murder.
'''Make sure any bodies make it to either Medical or the [[Brig Physician]]. The latter can help keep a body safe during revival or perform an autopsy/inspection. In addition, as a position close to Security, they are far more trustworthy. Do note, however, that they don't have a full Medbay at their disposal.'''
===Running the Numbers===
You have both access to Security Records and Medical Records. Security Records allow you to run prints, as well search up and modify crime-related details of anyone on the crew manifest (if their security records haven't been deleted). Medical Records allow you to run DNA from blood, as well as search up and modify medical-related details of anyone on the crew manifest (mostly useless).


If the criminal is caught, they may have a trial depending on the severity of the crime and the willingness of the command staff to host one. As the prosecution, ''you must attend this trial''. Bring all the evidence against the criminal including finger print scan results, pictures of the crime scene, and testimonies from possible witnesses.
Inserting someone's fingerprint code into a Security Records console will narrow down the named list of individuals to whoever the prints belong to. If you can't narrow down the owner of a certain set of prints, this generally means one of two things:
#The prints belong to someone present not on the manifest (some options include humanized monkeys, [[Fugitive|stowaways]], [[Clockwork Cult|fanatics]], or [[Nuclear Operative|really, really bad news]]).
#They belong to someone who deleted their own security records (likely a [[Traitor|Syndicate agent]], or [[Changeling|something far less friendly]]).
The same options hold true if you can't find the owner of a DNA string using a Medical Records console. In almost every case, an unidentifiable string of DNA belongs to a humanized monkey from [[Genetics Lab|Genetics]], or a monkey itself.


==Advanced Detective Work==
If you find one pair of prints on something damning and no glove fibers, you've most likely got a catch. Set the individual to Arrest and update their security record (both done using the Security Records console), then inform Security over your radio. Even if you only have suspicion, or the prints weren't on something damning, still inform Security and append the Notes section to indicate what you've discovered. If you set any individuals to Search, follow the same process. Remember who your [[Head of Security|boss]] is, and defer to them if they don't agree with the direction your investigation is heading. Though, if you have free time, it's worthwhile to follow up on something and keep an eye out on any shady individuals, even if the Head of Security pardons their suspicion. A true detective follows their own hunches to make sure the truth gets out.


If you have multiple suspects and matches, you're going to have to do some more investigating and possibly some interviews.
Generally, uniform fibers can be used to do station-wide searches if the shift is slow enough, but you shouldn't base a sentencing off something so trivial. It's easy for any criminal who wants to throw you off to put on a disguise before they commit their nefarious deeds. Sentencing the single [[Assistant]] on board for theft based on grey jumpsuit fibers makes little sense when the uniform is freely accessible in the [[Locker Room]]. On the contrary, any traces generally limited to one or two jobs, such as an Engineering Hardsuit, should immediately be reported to Security as soon as you find them, before you even make it to a console.


Crimes committed by groups of people provide some distinct advantages and disadvantages for both you and security forces in general. Group crimes are often easily noticeable to any bystander, and the interrogation and subsequent confession of one suspect can lead to a sting on the entire group. On the other hand, these pairs or triads or even larger groups can be difficult to take down without a lot of manpower and commitment on the part of security forces. Changelings and sometimes traitors operate in groups, so you'll have to exercise extra caution when investigating crime scenes you think they're responsible for.
Blood DNA can be used to identify victims if no body was recovered OR if the body is unidentifiable. In most cases, the latter is because the body is husked, which is either caused by excessive burn or a [[Changeling]].


When you do have multiple suspects, it's usually because of inconclusive forensics results. Because you're going to have to figure out the crime using more traditional methods along the lines of interviews, you should make sure to bring your universal recorder with you. Note that a universal recorder also acts as a universal translator, so you should be able to collect the testimonials of sentient slimes, monkeys, and, in the most bizarre of scenarios, [[Alien|xenos]].
'''Regardless of your findings, whenever you're done with a Security Records console, <u>always</u> log off before you resume other activities. Failure to do so means someone can sneak in and wreak havoc, such as setting Heads of Staff to Arrest to be targeted by secbots or less-intelligent officers. Someone might also delete their own security records.'''
===Interrogations and Incarcerations===
While your fellow officers should (theoretically) know Space Law, it never hurts to be present during a suspect's brigging to clarify any information or wrongdoings about them. Furthermore, clarifying the crimes they're guilty of can make the process a lot quicker, as well as avoiding wildly inaccurate sentences, which are bound to get the station down your throat with punishment for your foolishness.


When conducting interviews, make sure that you set out with a hunch. Only interview people and only ask questions that you think are relevant to the situation. However, in some cases asking a non-pointed question can throw a bluffer off and cause them to slip in their story. People who seem more friendly after moving on from a subject may be lying.
'''You cannot brig individuals, as you do not possess the access to do so, nor is it outlined in your responsibilities.'''


Your PDA comes with an inbuilt medical scanner that can be toggled on or off, and it works just like a standard medical analyzer. It tells you types of damage a person has on them, any advanced diseases, and most importantly in your line of work their time of death. Use this last fact to narrow down possible suspects.
You do, however, have access to the [[Interrogation|Interrogation Room]], which has a [[Universal Recorder]] present, as well as all the gloomy lighting that you would want for a proper interrogation. That being said, interrogations are time-consuming, and, for the sake of gameplay, should generally be performed only under a handful of circumstances:
*You're certain someone is a culprit of something severe, but you don't have any hard evidence on them.
*You need to clarify the stories of two separate suspects, using the room to isolate them and get each of their tales individually.
*A lawyer wishes to speak with their client, or a lawyer wishes to speak with you privately, or with their client, too.
** If you're the paranoid type, be cautious of a lawyer and their client who try to get you alone in the interrogation room; it's possible they're plotting to kill you and break out. As with all situations, calling for backup is a safe decision.
*Rarely, a culprit or Syndicate Agent may be willing to strike a deal. '''It is highly recommended that you obtain assistance from the Head of Security for this, as altering punishment or sentencing corporate enemies is beyond your jurisdiction.'''
Other situations may apply, but the main thing to keep in mind is that every minute spent in Interrogation is one where every player present isn't experiencing or participating in the rest of the game. The roleplay involved can be fun for all involved, but only if everyone agrees to it. A good rule of thumb is that RP, in all its forms, is a consensual, agreed decision. '''Don't force people into interrogation beyond their sentence length if there's not sufficient justification to hold them longer.'''


Important things to note are alibis, actions, who they saw, what they were thinking, what they plan to do, etc. Any information you can get on them that's glaringly contradictory with testimony or evidence can be a book-shutting detail.


==Spare Time==
Most people feel a lot safer answering questions when they're in their natural environment. Rather than arrest someone and drag them all the way to the Brig, just knock on their window and ask them the questions you mean to do. This way, you save time, are more likely to get meaningful information, and will overall be more-liked by the station. As Security, but especially as Detective, your reputation dictates a lot regarding your effectiveness. It's much better to be well-liked as an investigator, rather than feared, as you can use your silver tongue to earn benign cooperation far more efficiently than an officer who's prone to batoning people without second thoughts.


Technically, the above represents the entirety of the detective's job. Despite this, you will rarely be called upon to investigate a crime, you will have to investigate crime scenes on your own initiative. Luckily, there are some other things that the Detective can do instead:
There's a camera console outside Interrogation which only looks into the room. It's a good way to spy in to make sure nothing funny is happening, and fellow officers can do this for you, too.
==Grit-Fueled, Advanced Investigating==
The above sections represent the basics of your craft, but there are several other situations and methods for discovering and catching culprits, as well as protecting the people you're charged to defend.
===The Digital Eye===
''"Every shift, I take a walk through the station, all from my [[Detective's Office|office]]."''


* Snoop around. You have access to the maintenance shafts around the station, allowing you to find things off-camera.
'''The camera console is one of the most potent tools you have for your duties.''' Located in your office, it allows you to watch '''every camera feed present on the station's network'''. This includes wall-mounted cameras, [[cyborg]] cameras, and where an [[AI]] is present. There are some properties to be noted about cameras:
* Be a general assistant to Security.
* You can examine individuals through cameras by using SHIFT+CLICK, as if you were examining them in person.
* Be personal bodyguard to somebody, ideally a weaker head of staff like the [[Research Director|RD]]. You're quite intimidating aesthetically, even though you're no more (and arguably less) dangerous than the average security officer.
*Cut cameras will still appear on the camera list, but only show static. This can allow you to narrow down where suspicious activity might be happening.
* Use the camera terminal in your office to scan the station - it looks like an old-fashioned TV. Look around for any crimes, then report it over the Security channel or head over there yourself. It's probably not a good idea to announce it over the general radio, or the criminal in question will usually realize that you're onto them and get away.
*You cannot hear through cameras.
* Update the security records. This is meant to be the Warden's job, but you'll be hard pressed to see him actually doing that.
* If a cyborg does not show up on the camera console, its camera lens were disabled by a [[Roboticist]] (or someone with similar access, such as someone with an [[Cryptographic sequencer|EMAG]]) or, far more rarely, it might be a disguised Syndicate cyborg, used only by [[Nuclear Operative|elite Syndicate assault teams]].
*A bluespace EMAG, which has a 10% chance of being created when an EMAG is used on an EMAG, can be used through cameras using a camera console. This allows crafty Syndicate agents to sabotage whatever they please at infinite range, so long as they have access to the station's camera network.
Using a camera console allows you to spy on others without their knowing of your presence. In addition, it's far safer than direct observation, and you're able to peer into areas you wouldn't be able to enter with your limited access. As your equipment is less robust than a normal officer's, patrolling maintenance alone is far less ideal than sitting in the safety of your office and flicking through cameras.
===The Stake Out===
''"Hope you like waiting around. I brought myself a nice [[Guide_to_food#Burgers|sandwich]]."''


==Equipment==
Simply hanging around an area or hiding in a locker/plant can yield results, especially if nobody expects you to be where you are. If an individual reports repeated harassment, but there's no evidence, or it's suspected/known that a certain crew member might be targeted by nefarious elements, being present in the vicinity can scare off threats. If you're hidden, it's far more likely that you catch anyone in a criminal act. In addition, you can duly intervene if the circumstances demand it. Otherwise, note the name and crime, and report it to Security.
The detective has a lot of shit in his office, which might bewilder you. Luckily, the only absolutely necessary stuff that you don't spawn with are revolver and speed loaders for it.


Here is a list of stuff that the either Detective spawns with, or is in his office:
If you're patrolling about the station and you notice someone coming out of an area they shouldn't be in or an area that's rarely entered, that's an oddity that you can investigate. A [[Chemist]] coming out of maintenance could just be someone acting oddly for no reason, or it could be a [[Blood Cult|cultist]] that just left their base. As with a majority of your investigating, context is important. '''If you suspect there's criminal or dangerous activity going on in some area, it's highly recommended you call for backup before you investigate, or, at the very least, pass on your hunch to Security.''' Getting jumped by a bunch of Nar'sie's finest is a good way to be out for the rest of the round, especially if your fellow officers have nothing to go on regarding your disappearance.


* '''Cigarettes and Zippo lighter''' - absolutely necessary, smoking is cool.
Another trick is to stalk anyone you think is up to no good. You can be obvious or not in how you go about this. An absence of stealth almost guarantees that if they're conspiring to perform illegal activities, they either won't follow through or eventually snap and try to kill you. Assuming you're on guard and expecting it, you should have a good shot of either subduing them or escaping, so long as you haven't let them get a significant upper hand on you or lure you to somewhere you can't quickly flee from.
* '''A worn suit, coat and hat'''. Not only do these make you look cool, but they act as armor.
===The Inquisitive Coroner===
''"Time of death: 17:52. Cause of death: Blunt-force trauma to the back of the head. Murder weapon: [[Syndicate Items#Role-Restricted|Toolbox]]."''


* '''Black gloves''' [[file:BGloves.png]] - as stated above, NEVER take these off if you are [[Beyond the impossible|planning on being an actual detective and doing your damn job]], or you will get your own prints on the evidence and fuck up the entire investigation.
Recently, new technologies and instruction have given us the ability to perform an autopsy on a body, in order to ascertain the cause of their death. There's space dedicated in your office to specifically performing this surgery, and there are some things to note about autopsies:
* A '''security radio headset''' [[file:secheadset.png]], this gives you access to the security channel so you can tell the officers to arrest insert-criminal-name-here.
*A successful autopsy will do significant damage to any corpse it's performed on, delaying their revival even more.
* Your '''forensics scanner''', found in your backpack. Use this to scan for fingerprints and trace fibers.
*It will inform you what they were last hit by. In most cases, this will be the item that dealt the final blow to them.
* A P.D.A loaded with a '''D.E.T.E.C.T''' cart. This little thing gives you access to both security and medical scanners, and has a built in Med scanner.
*Any time spent doing an autopsy is time that the body is decaying and the culprit is running free. As previously said, one of the best witnesses to a crime is the victim themselves. This is especially true if they were murdered.
* A '''.38 revolver''' [[file:Detectivegun.png]] that fires actual bullets now. Do NOT use this as a substitute for a taser unless you want to get in serious trouble. It is unknown whether or not the gun might still break using the ammo supplied.
The steps to an autopsy can be found [[Surgery#Autopsy Surgery|here]].
* '''Spare ammo''' for the revolver, you may want to put these in your internals box. You must deal with the Cargo Bay workers if you run out, God help you then.
===The Logical Savant===
* A '''universal recorder recorder''', for documenting interviews with suspects.
''"Think! THINK! Why doesn't he have the [[High-risk_items#Advanced_Magnetic_Boots|magboots]] on him?"''
* A '''hand labeller'''. In theory this is for labeling evidence.
* A '''camera'''. This is supposed to be for taking pictures of evidence and suspects, but most of the time it is for taking pictures of [[The Owl]].
* A pair of '''handcuffs''' [[file:Handcuffs.png]] for incapacitating a crook after you <strike>run out of bullets</strike> retaliate in self defense using your gun.


Inevitably, much of your aptitude as a Detective boils down to game sense. Understanding suspicious behavior and characteristics of certain antagonists gives you a significant edge as a grizzled detective over a sheepish novice. Knowing the environment also falls in this category. A thief might have hidden a high-risk item in a plant in their workplace, or in a locker near the scene of the crime if Security was quick to respond. Pay attention to the clever things criminals will do, and adapt your strategies and investigations to match them. '''Be careful to not engage in metagaming.'''


'''If you're looking for more equipment, the [[Warden]] can issue you some more standard security equipment.'''
At the end of the day, common sense will get you far, even if you don't have forensic evidence to build an investigation on.
===The Masked Agent===
'''Disguising as a Detective is a highly-disputed topic by the administrative team. It's best to check with any online before you go through with it.'''


A good balance between cool and useful is a Stun Revolver. Go bother R&D for one.
''"Why yes [[Quartermaster]], I'm one of your Cargo Technicians for the shift."''


==Smooth Criminal==
Disguising as another job is a little-used technique that the Detective is capable of performing over other officers. There are two methods of going about this.
'''NOTE: By default the Detective cannot be an antagonist.'''


You already have a gun, but the [[Syndicate_Items#Revolver|handgun that can actually hit people with its bullets]] might be better, as no one will judge you for having one. Your position of trust on the station makes it easy to both fabricate and erase evidence. Play it cool, be patient, and safely abscond, just like countless noir heroes of fiction you're based on. Alternately, you could hack an autolathe and make yourself some .38-Special bullets if you don't want to risk being seen with a Syndicate weapon.
The first is just a simple clothes change, but you keep your Detective ID on. This technically identifies you as a member of Security, and you'll have the same access that your normal ID permits. However, most people fail to examine others, and, without a SEChud to see your role, they may just assume that you are the job that you're dressed as. This can work under the same premises described in the Stake Out, but you also have whatever uniform you're wearing working for (or against) you. For example, if you're dressed as a Paramedic, people might just let you into places if they're injured, expecting you to heal them. But without the authority of the Security outfit, some people will be harder to nudge to do what you want them to. If you want to, you could also ask the [[Head of Personnel]] for assistance in granting you additional access to finish the disguise.


The second is a changing of your ID or the title of your ID, as well as a potential repainting of your PDA, so you fully and wholly look like another job. This allows you to blend in far better as you observe the goings of the station, especially in whichever department you've integrated into. One example of this tactic's usefulness could be if you catch Cargo ordering contraband or weaponry without them realizing that there's been a mole among their ranks the entire time. Calling in your fellow officers to bust your fellow "colleagues" before the weapons even arrive is an open-and-shut raid. That being said, you might be losing some security access or even the authority you had previously. At that level, you're effectively a demoted detective that goes and whimpers to Security.
Regardless of which option you take, '''disguising as any non-security job means you forfeit any and all privileges of acting as a member of security'''. This means if you are assaulted, you cannot arrest someone for Arrest of an Officer if you have purposefully hidden your true role from them, even if you have a security ID still on. Furthermore, other officers who may not be aware of your tomfoolery may arrest you for possession of restricted items or weaponry if you carry certain gear after having your ID switched. This confusion will likely be resolved, but this represents wasted time of at least two officers as well as potentially putting you both in a highly vulnerable situation that a suspect may be able to exploit. Whatever you do, remember your loyalty lies with your team; seek to best explain the situation as quickly and as clearly as possible, rather than attempting to flee or resist arrest.
Note that the effectiveness of this strategy is strongly dependent on how early in the shift you don your disguise and how many people recognize you as a Detective before doing so. If someone realizes you were a Detective earlier, they could assume you were simply demoted or you switched jobs, or they might see through your veil and render the disguise meaningless, if not harmful.
===The Court Clerk===
''"[[Captain|Your Honor]], the testimony... contradicts the evidence!"''
A court proceeding is one of the rarest occurrences on the station. Most of the relevant information can be found in the [[Guide to trials]], also linked in the overview of this page. That being said, there are some specific measures you can take as a Detective to bring more buck to a trial.
Firstly, you have prime access to the main method of obtaining hard, physical evidence. The Forensic Scanner and its reports can be provided as "foolproof" evidence of what really happened.
Secondly, you will typically be called in as the prosecution. This means it's up to you to gather witnesses, recordings, photos, reports- anything to nail the defendant to the cross they deserve to hang on. These are all things easily obtained through the course of an investigation. Let justice and the truth speak for you, and victory will surely be yours.
Lastly, the evidence bags you carry demand a significant ethos. Using them makes you seem professional and by-the-books.
While trials are most often a waste of time for everyone involved, they can liven up a slow shift or create some memorable roleplay moments. If you're considering requesting a trial, think about:
#Is the crime (and punishment) significant enough to warrant a trial?
#Does everyone involved have the time to spend away from their duties to perform a trial?
#Do the players involved have the desire or willingness to participate in a trial?
It can be nigh impossible to accurately gauge the answers to these questions, but they're all important things to consider if you want to engage in CourtRP.
==Hard-Boiled Equipment==
As one of [[Nanotrasen|Nanotrasen's]] beat cops, you're equipped with gadgets and tools to separate you from the average crew member regarding combat effectiveness. However, the budget for your equipment is far lower, as you're not a full officer. While you still have access to wide range of tools, there are some that stand out.
===The .38 Revolver===
'''Usage of the revolver is covered in Space Law. It should not be drawn, much less fired, unless circumstances demand it.'''
Your revolver begins the round located in a Shoulder Holster which is located in your locker. The holster is a three-slot belt item that can carry revolvers and speed loaders. SHIFT+E will pull out the item in the right-most slot, so putting your gun in it can help for a quickdraw.
The .38 revolver is very easy to spam-fire and can be reloaded quickly using the speed loaders, but take care not to hit unintended targets. In addition, it doesn't need to be empty to use a speed loader; it will fill as much of the revolver's capacity as it can, including empty casings that haven't been ejected. Finally, speed loaders can be used on each other to transfer bullets.
Additional speed loaders can be printed at an autolathe or the Security protolathe. As it fires rubber rounds, it won't do much damage, but it can slow someone down for you to be able to run away. You can print lethal .38 speed loaders at the protolathe located in the the [[Armory]]. '''You don't have access to it normally''', so you have to ask the [[Warden]] for more speed loaders if you need them. Autolathes can also print the speed loaders. if hacked.
Note that, unlike disablers, the .38 is a ballistic weapon, meaning its projectiles can't go through glass, will be blocked by shields, and resolves against bullet armor instead of energy armor.
As the revolver is considered lethal, it will upset any silicons under prevent-harm lawsets should you use it. While the disabler is one of the most powerful weapons on the station, the .38 has some advantages over it:
*It can be quickly reloaded in the field.
*It has the capacity to damage simplemobs and cyborgs, even if it doesn't do much damage.
*If you have lethal .38 loaded, it can cause bleeding which a suspect must attend to.
That being said, the most important part about the .38 is its '''negative armor penetration'''. Its performance will suffer massively when exposed to protective gear, meaning it is unideal for engaging with greater threats unless you are forced into a situation where you must defend yourself.
If you ALT+CLICK on the revolver, you can change its skin. If its skin has already been changed, it spins the revolver's cylinder instead (which will randomize the order of bullets). You can use a pen to rename it or give it a description as well.
====The Forbidden Revolver====
'''Converting your revolver to .357 for no reason can be ruled as powergaming. A good rule of thumb is to only do so with authorization and if a station threat requires lethals. When in doubt, ask an administrator.'''
By emptying your revolver of bullets and using a screwdriver on it, you reinforce its barrel, converting the caliber to .357. There are two main things to note about this decision:
#The revolver cannot be loaded with any .38 bullet, only .357 rounds, which deal 40 brute (while bypassing some armor) and can be printed at a hacked autolathe. The individual bullets must be loaded separately and cannot be held in a Shoulder Holster.
#The revolver's rate of fire is significantly reduced.
While this does increase the lethality of the revolver, it becomes much more difficult to obtain, store, and load ammunition. The decrease in fire rate ultimately means you do less damage against an unarmored target. However, .357 partially penetrates protective equipment, so it's ideal to make the switch if you're combating suspects with high-grade armor, such as Nuclear Operatives or Heretics.
If, for some reason, you obtain a speed loader meant for the Syndicate .357 revolver, you can use it on a modified .38 revolver, despite the speed loader holding 7 bullets and the Detective's revolver holding 6. This can help to alleviate the problems of bulky ammunition and slow reloading times.
===The Forensic Scanner===
The Forensic Scanner begins the round in your backpack, and there is an extra located in your locker. It's good practice to take the extra and set it in the Security Office, in case other officers need it and you go missing. More can be printed at the Security protolathe once the appropriate research has been completed. In addition, said research also allows for the printing of Advanced Forensic Scanners, which offer more information, such as the location of the scan, as well as scanning quicker.
As usage of the Scanner has already been extensively covered in Scene Analysis 101, there's little more to discuss regarding its utility. More than your gun, it's important to keep this on you at all times. Without it, your investigations might as well be performed by the Average Joe.
===The Wooden Baton===
The Wooden Baton begins the round in your backpack and functions almost identically to the telescopic batons that the Heads of Staff receive, except two things. Firstly, it is a normal-sized item that cannot be made smaller. Secondly, it does moderately more stamina damage. Be sure to target the legs if you mean to knock someone down, and target the arms if you want to knock something out of someone's hands. It will take multiple hits to fully knock someone down, so be wary of retaliation. As for storage, it can conveniently fit on your exosuit, assuming you're wearing a Security-rated exosuit, which includes your trenchcoats and armor vest.
===All the Rest===
The following is a non-conclusive list of the other equipment the Detective possesses:
*'''Seclite''', located in your locker. A more powerful flashlight that can fit in one of your pockets or in your hand.
*'''Pepper Spray''', located in your locker. A short-ranged option for instantly knocking down those without eye protection, as well as tool to tag suspects. Incredibly situational and finicky to use, but can end a fight before it starts.
*'''A pinpointer''', located in your locker. Able to track anyone with their tracking beacon setting on their uniform, it will point a directional compass to whoever it's tracking. If the arrow is red, they are far. Blue is close. Green is closest. If you have someone idly on your pinpointer and the pinpointer stops, something turned off their sensors or someone took off their uniform (potentially themselves).
*'''Binoculars''', located in your locker. Can be used to see '''obnoxiously''' long distances in one direction. Useful for scouting out hallways, and absurdly powerful if you have x-ray eyes implanted (if not overwhelming).
*'''Evidence Bags''', located in boxes. One starts in your backpack, one in your locker, and another on your desk. Useful for bagging evidence and storing it, or for CourtRP.
*'''Sunglasses''', located on your main desk. These prevent you from being flashed, including the visual effects of flashbangs, as well as providing minor welding protection. Essential for any officer.
*'''Security Bowman Headset''', located on your ear when you spawn. A Bowman headset will protect your ears from the stunning effects of flashbangs. It has access to the Security radio channel and has room for one more radio chip.
*'''Universal Recorder''', located on your main desk. Can record and playback any dialogue, in any language, automatically translating it.
*'''Camera''', located on your main desk, which can be used for taking pictures of anyone, anything, anywhere.
*'''PDA''', located on your waist when you spawn, loaded with a D.E.T.E.C.T. cartridge that gives you Security and Medical records, a built-in health scanner, and access to the crew manifest. The last is useful if you suspect non-crew on the station, as they won't appear on the manifest.
*'''Security Holoprojector''', located in your locker. Creates up to three holographic images that prevent people from running through them. They can be destroyed easily with a few hits. Mostly useful for restricting speed through an area, such as a crime scene.
*'''White Crayon''', located in your pocket when you spawn. It can be used to draw outlines around corpses if you want to seriously roleplay your investigations (despite the contamination this would cause). An incredibly rare flavor of crayon.
*'''Hand Labeler''', located on your desk. Can be used to label evidence bags, reports, papers; whatever you need if you want to organize.
*'''Cigarettes and a Zippo Lighter''', located on your main desk (a cigarette also spawns lit in your mouth). Useful if you want to complete the Noir Aesthetic™.
*'''Detective Clothing Bag''', located in your locker. Possesses all varieties of clothing to fulfill your noir desires. The trenchcoats and armor vest provide armor and count as Security exosuits for the purposes of storing gear on them.
*'''Fedora''', located on your head when you spawn. If you ALT+CLICK on it, it'll pull out a candy corn every so often, as well as reveal the flask hidden inside, which is filled with whiskey. The brown fedora's tiny inventory slot can be opened just by clicking on the hat; the black fedora requires you to ALT+CLICK, and it does not have candy corns.
The final two items are not located in the Detective's office, but are useful tools regardless.
*'''Handcuffs''', located in the Brig and the Security Office. Carrying a pair or two is good for if you have to restrain a suspect or assist an officer. '''Remember that under normal circumstances you should not be making arrests by yourself.'''
*'''Flash''', located in the Security Office. Can be used to instantly stun someone in melee range if they lack flash protection. '''This hardstuns cyborgs and renders them unable to act or see.''' You can also interact with it in-hand by clicking on it or pressing Z to perform an area flash, temporarily blinding people around you without flash protection, and disorientating them, making it difficult for them to move in a straight line.
'''If you're looking for more equipment, the Warden or Head of Security can issue you more standard security equipment. This may come with elevated responsibilities.'''
==Tips==
*Frequent usage of your radio is paramount as a member of Security, and, by extension, a Detective. Informing your fellow officers of your movements, discoveries, and intentions allow for the coordination and cooperation you need to succeed and survive.
**Obtaining a general, handheld radio is very helpful if [[Telecommunications]] has an outage, as you don't have access to a Security Transceiver, unless you ask for one. If you do obtain a Transceiver, be sure to leave it off on default so the Security radio channel isn't leaked to anyone you pass by.
*If you decide to patrol in maintenance, it's preferred that you get another officer to come with you. Not only is there significantly more safety in numbers, but they possess the equipment and the authorization to make arrests or deal with suspects effectively.
**In general, you can always act to assist an officer if they're in need of it.
*Unfortunately, sometimes other officers will print off their own Forensic Scanners and do your job for you, or otherwise ignore what you say. It's preferred to solve these oversteps in-character, and it's important to insist on the little authority you have, as well as the value that your investigating can provide.
**Because Detective is also widely considered to have the least authority in Security, the leads and suspicions you share might be wholly ignored. As frustrating as this can be, remember that you are not a full officer. You can only act under certain circumstances and can't just arrest someone because Security refuses to do it for you.
*If you want to check if a husk was drained or burned, try extracting blood from it with a syringe. A Changeling victim won't have any blood.
**Using circumstantial evidence is usually more than enough to determine this. Inspecting the body will also report any existing Brute or Burn on it.
*Rather than checking an unknown victim's blood, you can often determine who they are simply by what might be around the body, such as their ID or any stripped items that hint to their identity.
*As a member of Security, you love donuts. This means that you can bypass species preferences if you're hungry with the donuts in the Security Office, or on the [[Kitchen]] counter.
*A lone radio headset near a body or in a crime scene will probably have the fingerprints of your victim, as well as any traces left by the murderer who stripped it from them.
*If someone's broken into any Security Posts and stolen the locker, you can assume the Security radio channel is compromised. If you narrow down the suspects based on fibers, make sure to have the officers who search them check their radio headsets as well. A screwdriver on a radio headset pops out the keys, and inspecting it in-hand also tells the channels it has access to.
*You can use [[Meson Goggles]] to find false walls, as the walls will show as open spaces when not in direct sight of them. Furthermore, if you get some cable coil and tools, you can craft Meson HUDglasses, which will combine the benefits of the two eyewears.
*Using a Handheld Crew Monitor and the crew manifest can help you to nail who is off sensors (and likely dead), or someone who doesn't want to be noticed.
*The Forensic Scanner can be used at range, to scan containers and such. This is the typically the best way to use it, so you don't accidentally stow it in any containers.
*You can get a person's fingerprints by scanning them directly with a Forensic Scanner.
*The Universal Recorder works even in a container. Turn it on and keep it in your bag, or keep recorders around the station, checking on them later to see if they caught anything incriminating.
*Tiny items other than the flask can fit in your fedora (if you're wearing one), such as a [[GPS]], Universal Recorder, or Pocket Fire Extinguisher.
*If you find no traces at all on something that should have them, it's very likely someone used [[soap]] to clean up the evidence.
*Contraband shouldn't be used except during emergency situations. Make sure it's delivered to the Warden and that it's firmly locked away. When in doubt, ask an administrator.
{{Jobs}}
{{Jobs}}
[[Category: Jobs]]
[[Category: Jobs]]

Latest revision as of 12:53, 19 July 2023

Disclaimer: This page cannot be used as an argument for in game actions.
SECURITY STAFF
Generic detective.png Detective.png
Detective
Alternative Titles: Forensic Analyst, Private Eye
Access: Brig, Detective's Office, Morgue, Maintenance, Weapon Permit
Additional Access: Security
Difficulty: Medium
Supervisors: Head of Security
Duties: Investigate crimes, gather evidence, look badass, smoke cigarettes, drink yourself into oblivion when every other officer ignores your suspects and your words
Guides: Guide to security, Space Law, Guide to Trials, Standard Operating Procedure
Minimum Age: 22
Quote: Uh, I just sssaw the chef gib the clown. You folksss gonna do anythin' about that? Or thisss the kinda day where what I sssay don't matter?
Forensics
Your Office, and your Castle


Welcome to the land of red tape, friend.

Your job as the Detective is to discover crimes, identify their perpetrators, and report it all to the rest of Security. Use your radio, and use it often.

You are not a full member of Security and should not be making arrests under most circumstances. Your revolver is considered a lethal weapon, to be used sparingly.

Review Space Law and make sure you know how and when you should act.

Bare minimum requirements: Don't die in maintenance, scan crime scenes, and report your findings to Security.

"Bona Fide" Officer

As a Detective, your primary duty is to investigate crime scenes and use the tools provided to you to identify the perpetrators. A Forensic Scanner, security console, and your ID should be all you need to snag most suspects.

Your Forensic Scanner is located in your backpack, and the closet in your office has a spare. Go to a crime scene when you're called and start scanning anything of importance. If you're the one that finds a crime scene, inform Security before you begin your investigation. Airlocks, bodies, weapons, blood, and possessions are all prime targets for scanning. Your Forensic Scanner can store more logs than you'll ever need, and, if needed, you can also recall past scans or even print off a forensic report to review information you've gathered. Especially important is scanning any bodies for prints and fibers, provided that they haven't been hauled off by the Paramedics yet. Airlocks are also incredibly useful to scan, assuming the crime happened in an area that most wouldn't be moving through. At the very least, you can get a list of people who have been around, and question them individually on your own time. If the crime is severe enough, ask your fellow, loyal officers for help in bringing suspects in.

If any victims (or suspects) have already been hauled off to Medical, then you'll want to get over there ASAP and scan any bodies before any more greasy doctors touch them. Try to get any information you can from the Medical staff or officers present: damage types, who brought them in, who's touched the corpse. The more information you get, the more you can ignore irrelevant facts or focus on curious ones.

Guard bodies if you have to. One of the best witnesses to a crime is the victim themselves. If they're revived via non-cloning methods, they retain their memories, which include how they died. And, most likely, who killed them.

Scene Analysis 101

Any object that is touched by someone without gloves will have their fingerprints on it (with the exception of fingerless gloves). This includes interaction, pick-up, drop, and manipulation of any kind. There is a chance for someone to leave behind traces of their clothing under the same interactions. The options can be their uniform, their exosuit, and/or their gloves.

Keep your forensics gloves on all the time, so you don't confuse your own traces with others.

  • The crime scene is your stage. Make sure any Heads of Staff or other officers present touch as little as possible and steer clear while you work. This is especially problematic if they touch vital evidence, as you won't be able to confirm certain traces if a black-gloved officer or an insulated-gloved Chief Engineer goes and touches the bloody toolbox present in the scene.
  • Beyond using your Forensic Scanner on pretty much every upturned bush in sight, it's important to look around and take notes of out-of-place things, as well as searching around in general.
  • If there are bullet casings, but no gun, you can assume it's been hidden, or far more likely, on the suspect.
  • Search plants, boxes, containers, see if anything is out of place or something was left behind. Carry a T-Ray Scanner and a crowbar on you (easily found in Tool Storage, printed at an autolathe, or the Engineering protolathe), and check under the floor for Smuggler Satchels: bags that can be hidden underneath floors. Leave nothing uncounted for and no stone unturned.
  • Clever criminals might store their incriminating items in a Secure Briefcase. You can use a Multitool to brute force these open, bypassing the need for learning the code to access the contents within.
  • You can take blood from a body using a syringe and scan the syringe to get the DNA string of who it belongs to.
  • Any reagents in any item can be discovered by a scan, including food.
  • A medical analyzer (your PDA comes with a built-in one) can be used to ascertain a time-of-death on a cadaver, assuming it isn't older than 15 minutes.
  • Use the evidence bags you spawn with to collect any suspicious items you find, be it "contraband", contraband, high-risk items, anything with blood on it, or anything that doesn't belong in the department. Take any bagged evidence you have to the Evidence Lockup, in the Brig, to the Warden (if it's restricted), or return said high-risk items to their owners.

Once you're done investigating a crime scene, return to your office or the nearest Security Post. You have access to every departmental post, assuming you can enter said department to access it. This does not include the Arrivals Checkpoint. Regardless, all of these will have a Security Records console, while your own office will also have a Medical Records console. In a pinch, you can also use a computer in Medical to access Medical Records.

Make sure any bodies make it to either Medical or the Brig Physician. The latter can help keep a body safe during revival or perform an autopsy/inspection. In addition, as a position close to Security, they are far more trustworthy. Do note, however, that they don't have a full Medbay at their disposal.

Running the Numbers

You have both access to Security Records and Medical Records. Security Records allow you to run prints, as well search up and modify crime-related details of anyone on the crew manifest (if their security records haven't been deleted). Medical Records allow you to run DNA from blood, as well as search up and modify medical-related details of anyone on the crew manifest (mostly useless).

Inserting someone's fingerprint code into a Security Records console will narrow down the named list of individuals to whoever the prints belong to. If you can't narrow down the owner of a certain set of prints, this generally means one of two things:

  1. The prints belong to someone present not on the manifest (some options include humanized monkeys, stowaways, fanatics, or really, really bad news).
  2. They belong to someone who deleted their own security records (likely a Syndicate agent, or something far less friendly).

The same options hold true if you can't find the owner of a DNA string using a Medical Records console. In almost every case, an unidentifiable string of DNA belongs to a humanized monkey from Genetics, or a monkey itself.

If you find one pair of prints on something damning and no glove fibers, you've most likely got a catch. Set the individual to Arrest and update their security record (both done using the Security Records console), then inform Security over your radio. Even if you only have suspicion, or the prints weren't on something damning, still inform Security and append the Notes section to indicate what you've discovered. If you set any individuals to Search, follow the same process. Remember who your boss is, and defer to them if they don't agree with the direction your investigation is heading. Though, if you have free time, it's worthwhile to follow up on something and keep an eye out on any shady individuals, even if the Head of Security pardons their suspicion. A true detective follows their own hunches to make sure the truth gets out.

Generally, uniform fibers can be used to do station-wide searches if the shift is slow enough, but you shouldn't base a sentencing off something so trivial. It's easy for any criminal who wants to throw you off to put on a disguise before they commit their nefarious deeds. Sentencing the single Assistant on board for theft based on grey jumpsuit fibers makes little sense when the uniform is freely accessible in the Locker Room. On the contrary, any traces generally limited to one or two jobs, such as an Engineering Hardsuit, should immediately be reported to Security as soon as you find them, before you even make it to a console.

Blood DNA can be used to identify victims if no body was recovered OR if the body is unidentifiable. In most cases, the latter is because the body is husked, which is either caused by excessive burn or a Changeling.

Regardless of your findings, whenever you're done with a Security Records console, always log off before you resume other activities. Failure to do so means someone can sneak in and wreak havoc, such as setting Heads of Staff to Arrest to be targeted by secbots or less-intelligent officers. Someone might also delete their own security records.

Interrogations and Incarcerations

While your fellow officers should (theoretically) know Space Law, it never hurts to be present during a suspect's brigging to clarify any information or wrongdoings about them. Furthermore, clarifying the crimes they're guilty of can make the process a lot quicker, as well as avoiding wildly inaccurate sentences, which are bound to get the station down your throat with punishment for your foolishness.

You cannot brig individuals, as you do not possess the access to do so, nor is it outlined in your responsibilities.

You do, however, have access to the Interrogation Room, which has a Universal Recorder present, as well as all the gloomy lighting that you would want for a proper interrogation. That being said, interrogations are time-consuming, and, for the sake of gameplay, should generally be performed only under a handful of circumstances:

  • You're certain someone is a culprit of something severe, but you don't have any hard evidence on them.
  • You need to clarify the stories of two separate suspects, using the room to isolate them and get each of their tales individually.
  • A lawyer wishes to speak with their client, or a lawyer wishes to speak with you privately, or with their client, too.
    • If you're the paranoid type, be cautious of a lawyer and their client who try to get you alone in the interrogation room; it's possible they're plotting to kill you and break out. As with all situations, calling for backup is a safe decision.
  • Rarely, a culprit or Syndicate Agent may be willing to strike a deal. It is highly recommended that you obtain assistance from the Head of Security for this, as altering punishment or sentencing corporate enemies is beyond your jurisdiction.

Other situations may apply, but the main thing to keep in mind is that every minute spent in Interrogation is one where every player present isn't experiencing or participating in the rest of the game. The roleplay involved can be fun for all involved, but only if everyone agrees to it. A good rule of thumb is that RP, in all its forms, is a consensual, agreed decision. Don't force people into interrogation beyond their sentence length if there's not sufficient justification to hold them longer.

Important things to note are alibis, actions, who they saw, what they were thinking, what they plan to do, etc. Any information you can get on them that's glaringly contradictory with testimony or evidence can be a book-shutting detail.

Most people feel a lot safer answering questions when they're in their natural environment. Rather than arrest someone and drag them all the way to the Brig, just knock on their window and ask them the questions you mean to do. This way, you save time, are more likely to get meaningful information, and will overall be more-liked by the station. As Security, but especially as Detective, your reputation dictates a lot regarding your effectiveness. It's much better to be well-liked as an investigator, rather than feared, as you can use your silver tongue to earn benign cooperation far more efficiently than an officer who's prone to batoning people without second thoughts.

There's a camera console outside Interrogation which only looks into the room. It's a good way to spy in to make sure nothing funny is happening, and fellow officers can do this for you, too.

Grit-Fueled, Advanced Investigating

The above sections represent the basics of your craft, but there are several other situations and methods for discovering and catching culprits, as well as protecting the people you're charged to defend.

The Digital Eye

"Every shift, I take a walk through the station, all from my office."

The camera console is one of the most potent tools you have for your duties. Located in your office, it allows you to watch every camera feed present on the station's network. This includes wall-mounted cameras, cyborg cameras, and where an AI is present. There are some properties to be noted about cameras:

  • You can examine individuals through cameras by using SHIFT+CLICK, as if you were examining them in person.
  • Cut cameras will still appear on the camera list, but only show static. This can allow you to narrow down where suspicious activity might be happening.
  • You cannot hear through cameras.
  • If a cyborg does not show up on the camera console, its camera lens were disabled by a Roboticist (or someone with similar access, such as someone with an EMAG) or, far more rarely, it might be a disguised Syndicate cyborg, used only by elite Syndicate assault teams.
  • A bluespace EMAG, which has a 10% chance of being created when an EMAG is used on an EMAG, can be used through cameras using a camera console. This allows crafty Syndicate agents to sabotage whatever they please at infinite range, so long as they have access to the station's camera network.

Using a camera console allows you to spy on others without their knowing of your presence. In addition, it's far safer than direct observation, and you're able to peer into areas you wouldn't be able to enter with your limited access. As your equipment is less robust than a normal officer's, patrolling maintenance alone is far less ideal than sitting in the safety of your office and flicking through cameras.

The Stake Out

"Hope you like waiting around. I brought myself a nice sandwich."

Simply hanging around an area or hiding in a locker/plant can yield results, especially if nobody expects you to be where you are. If an individual reports repeated harassment, but there's no evidence, or it's suspected/known that a certain crew member might be targeted by nefarious elements, being present in the vicinity can scare off threats. If you're hidden, it's far more likely that you catch anyone in a criminal act. In addition, you can duly intervene if the circumstances demand it. Otherwise, note the name and crime, and report it to Security.

If you're patrolling about the station and you notice someone coming out of an area they shouldn't be in or an area that's rarely entered, that's an oddity that you can investigate. A Chemist coming out of maintenance could just be someone acting oddly for no reason, or it could be a cultist that just left their base. As with a majority of your investigating, context is important. If you suspect there's criminal or dangerous activity going on in some area, it's highly recommended you call for backup before you investigate, or, at the very least, pass on your hunch to Security. Getting jumped by a bunch of Nar'sie's finest is a good way to be out for the rest of the round, especially if your fellow officers have nothing to go on regarding your disappearance.

Another trick is to stalk anyone you think is up to no good. You can be obvious or not in how you go about this. An absence of stealth almost guarantees that if they're conspiring to perform illegal activities, they either won't follow through or eventually snap and try to kill you. Assuming you're on guard and expecting it, you should have a good shot of either subduing them or escaping, so long as you haven't let them get a significant upper hand on you or lure you to somewhere you can't quickly flee from.

The Inquisitive Coroner

"Time of death: 17:52. Cause of death: Blunt-force trauma to the back of the head. Murder weapon: Toolbox."

Recently, new technologies and instruction have given us the ability to perform an autopsy on a body, in order to ascertain the cause of their death. There's space dedicated in your office to specifically performing this surgery, and there are some things to note about autopsies:

  • A successful autopsy will do significant damage to any corpse it's performed on, delaying their revival even more.
  • It will inform you what they were last hit by. In most cases, this will be the item that dealt the final blow to them.
  • Any time spent doing an autopsy is time that the body is decaying and the culprit is running free. As previously said, one of the best witnesses to a crime is the victim themselves. This is especially true if they were murdered.

The steps to an autopsy can be found here.

The Logical Savant

"Think! THINK! Why doesn't he have the magboots on him?"

Inevitably, much of your aptitude as a Detective boils down to game sense. Understanding suspicious behavior and characteristics of certain antagonists gives you a significant edge as a grizzled detective over a sheepish novice. Knowing the environment also falls in this category. A thief might have hidden a high-risk item in a plant in their workplace, or in a locker near the scene of the crime if Security was quick to respond. Pay attention to the clever things criminals will do, and adapt your strategies and investigations to match them. Be careful to not engage in metagaming.

At the end of the day, common sense will get you far, even if you don't have forensic evidence to build an investigation on.

The Masked Agent

Disguising as a Detective is a highly-disputed topic by the administrative team. It's best to check with any online before you go through with it.

"Why yes Quartermaster, I'm one of your Cargo Technicians for the shift."

Disguising as another job is a little-used technique that the Detective is capable of performing over other officers. There are two methods of going about this.

The first is just a simple clothes change, but you keep your Detective ID on. This technically identifies you as a member of Security, and you'll have the same access that your normal ID permits. However, most people fail to examine others, and, without a SEChud to see your role, they may just assume that you are the job that you're dressed as. This can work under the same premises described in the Stake Out, but you also have whatever uniform you're wearing working for (or against) you. For example, if you're dressed as a Paramedic, people might just let you into places if they're injured, expecting you to heal them. But without the authority of the Security outfit, some people will be harder to nudge to do what you want them to. If you want to, you could also ask the Head of Personnel for assistance in granting you additional access to finish the disguise.

The second is a changing of your ID or the title of your ID, as well as a potential repainting of your PDA, so you fully and wholly look like another job. This allows you to blend in far better as you observe the goings of the station, especially in whichever department you've integrated into. One example of this tactic's usefulness could be if you catch Cargo ordering contraband or weaponry without them realizing that there's been a mole among their ranks the entire time. Calling in your fellow officers to bust your fellow "colleagues" before the weapons even arrive is an open-and-shut raid. That being said, you might be losing some security access or even the authority you had previously. At that level, you're effectively a demoted detective that goes and whimpers to Security.

Regardless of which option you take, disguising as any non-security job means you forfeit any and all privileges of acting as a member of security. This means if you are assaulted, you cannot arrest someone for Arrest of an Officer if you have purposefully hidden your true role from them, even if you have a security ID still on. Furthermore, other officers who may not be aware of your tomfoolery may arrest you for possession of restricted items or weaponry if you carry certain gear after having your ID switched. This confusion will likely be resolved, but this represents wasted time of at least two officers as well as potentially putting you both in a highly vulnerable situation that a suspect may be able to exploit. Whatever you do, remember your loyalty lies with your team; seek to best explain the situation as quickly and as clearly as possible, rather than attempting to flee or resist arrest.

Note that the effectiveness of this strategy is strongly dependent on how early in the shift you don your disguise and how many people recognize you as a Detective before doing so. If someone realizes you were a Detective earlier, they could assume you were simply demoted or you switched jobs, or they might see through your veil and render the disguise meaningless, if not harmful.

The Court Clerk

"Your Honor, the testimony... contradicts the evidence!"

A court proceeding is one of the rarest occurrences on the station. Most of the relevant information can be found in the Guide to trials, also linked in the overview of this page. That being said, there are some specific measures you can take as a Detective to bring more buck to a trial.

Firstly, you have prime access to the main method of obtaining hard, physical evidence. The Forensic Scanner and its reports can be provided as "foolproof" evidence of what really happened.

Secondly, you will typically be called in as the prosecution. This means it's up to you to gather witnesses, recordings, photos, reports- anything to nail the defendant to the cross they deserve to hang on. These are all things easily obtained through the course of an investigation. Let justice and the truth speak for you, and victory will surely be yours.

Lastly, the evidence bags you carry demand a significant ethos. Using them makes you seem professional and by-the-books.

While trials are most often a waste of time for everyone involved, they can liven up a slow shift or create some memorable roleplay moments. If you're considering requesting a trial, think about:

  1. Is the crime (and punishment) significant enough to warrant a trial?
  2. Does everyone involved have the time to spend away from their duties to perform a trial?
  3. Do the players involved have the desire or willingness to participate in a trial?

It can be nigh impossible to accurately gauge the answers to these questions, but they're all important things to consider if you want to engage in CourtRP.

Hard-Boiled Equipment

As one of Nanotrasen's beat cops, you're equipped with gadgets and tools to separate you from the average crew member regarding combat effectiveness. However, the budget for your equipment is far lower, as you're not a full officer. While you still have access to wide range of tools, there are some that stand out.

The .38 Revolver

Usage of the revolver is covered in Space Law. It should not be drawn, much less fired, unless circumstances demand it.

Your revolver begins the round located in a Shoulder Holster which is located in your locker. The holster is a three-slot belt item that can carry revolvers and speed loaders. SHIFT+E will pull out the item in the right-most slot, so putting your gun in it can help for a quickdraw.

The .38 revolver is very easy to spam-fire and can be reloaded quickly using the speed loaders, but take care not to hit unintended targets. In addition, it doesn't need to be empty to use a speed loader; it will fill as much of the revolver's capacity as it can, including empty casings that haven't been ejected. Finally, speed loaders can be used on each other to transfer bullets.

Additional speed loaders can be printed at an autolathe or the Security protolathe. As it fires rubber rounds, it won't do much damage, but it can slow someone down for you to be able to run away. You can print lethal .38 speed loaders at the protolathe located in the the Armory. You don't have access to it normally, so you have to ask the Warden for more speed loaders if you need them. Autolathes can also print the speed loaders. if hacked.

Note that, unlike disablers, the .38 is a ballistic weapon, meaning its projectiles can't go through glass, will be blocked by shields, and resolves against bullet armor instead of energy armor.

As the revolver is considered lethal, it will upset any silicons under prevent-harm lawsets should you use it. While the disabler is one of the most powerful weapons on the station, the .38 has some advantages over it:

  • It can be quickly reloaded in the field.
  • It has the capacity to damage simplemobs and cyborgs, even if it doesn't do much damage.
  • If you have lethal .38 loaded, it can cause bleeding which a suspect must attend to.

That being said, the most important part about the .38 is its negative armor penetration. Its performance will suffer massively when exposed to protective gear, meaning it is unideal for engaging with greater threats unless you are forced into a situation where you must defend yourself.

If you ALT+CLICK on the revolver, you can change its skin. If its skin has already been changed, it spins the revolver's cylinder instead (which will randomize the order of bullets). You can use a pen to rename it or give it a description as well.

The Forbidden Revolver

Converting your revolver to .357 for no reason can be ruled as powergaming. A good rule of thumb is to only do so with authorization and if a station threat requires lethals. When in doubt, ask an administrator.

By emptying your revolver of bullets and using a screwdriver on it, you reinforce its barrel, converting the caliber to .357. There are two main things to note about this decision:

  1. The revolver cannot be loaded with any .38 bullet, only .357 rounds, which deal 40 brute (while bypassing some armor) and can be printed at a hacked autolathe. The individual bullets must be loaded separately and cannot be held in a Shoulder Holster.
  2. The revolver's rate of fire is significantly reduced.

While this does increase the lethality of the revolver, it becomes much more difficult to obtain, store, and load ammunition. The decrease in fire rate ultimately means you do less damage against an unarmored target. However, .357 partially penetrates protective equipment, so it's ideal to make the switch if you're combating suspects with high-grade armor, such as Nuclear Operatives or Heretics.

If, for some reason, you obtain a speed loader meant for the Syndicate .357 revolver, you can use it on a modified .38 revolver, despite the speed loader holding 7 bullets and the Detective's revolver holding 6. This can help to alleviate the problems of bulky ammunition and slow reloading times.

The Forensic Scanner

The Forensic Scanner begins the round in your backpack, and there is an extra located in your locker. It's good practice to take the extra and set it in the Security Office, in case other officers need it and you go missing. More can be printed at the Security protolathe once the appropriate research has been completed. In addition, said research also allows for the printing of Advanced Forensic Scanners, which offer more information, such as the location of the scan, as well as scanning quicker.

As usage of the Scanner has already been extensively covered in Scene Analysis 101, there's little more to discuss regarding its utility. More than your gun, it's important to keep this on you at all times. Without it, your investigations might as well be performed by the Average Joe.

The Wooden Baton

The Wooden Baton begins the round in your backpack and functions almost identically to the telescopic batons that the Heads of Staff receive, except two things. Firstly, it is a normal-sized item that cannot be made smaller. Secondly, it does moderately more stamina damage. Be sure to target the legs if you mean to knock someone down, and target the arms if you want to knock something out of someone's hands. It will take multiple hits to fully knock someone down, so be wary of retaliation. As for storage, it can conveniently fit on your exosuit, assuming you're wearing a Security-rated exosuit, which includes your trenchcoats and armor vest.

All the Rest

The following is a non-conclusive list of the other equipment the Detective possesses:

  • Seclite, located in your locker. A more powerful flashlight that can fit in one of your pockets or in your hand.
  • Pepper Spray, located in your locker. A short-ranged option for instantly knocking down those without eye protection, as well as tool to tag suspects. Incredibly situational and finicky to use, but can end a fight before it starts.
  • A pinpointer, located in your locker. Able to track anyone with their tracking beacon setting on their uniform, it will point a directional compass to whoever it's tracking. If the arrow is red, they are far. Blue is close. Green is closest. If you have someone idly on your pinpointer and the pinpointer stops, something turned off their sensors or someone took off their uniform (potentially themselves).
  • Binoculars, located in your locker. Can be used to see obnoxiously long distances in one direction. Useful for scouting out hallways, and absurdly powerful if you have x-ray eyes implanted (if not overwhelming).
  • Evidence Bags, located in boxes. One starts in your backpack, one in your locker, and another on your desk. Useful for bagging evidence and storing it, or for CourtRP.
  • Sunglasses, located on your main desk. These prevent you from being flashed, including the visual effects of flashbangs, as well as providing minor welding protection. Essential for any officer.
  • Security Bowman Headset, located on your ear when you spawn. A Bowman headset will protect your ears from the stunning effects of flashbangs. It has access to the Security radio channel and has room for one more radio chip.
  • Universal Recorder, located on your main desk. Can record and playback any dialogue, in any language, automatically translating it.
  • Camera, located on your main desk, which can be used for taking pictures of anyone, anything, anywhere.
  • PDA, located on your waist when you spawn, loaded with a D.E.T.E.C.T. cartridge that gives you Security and Medical records, a built-in health scanner, and access to the crew manifest. The last is useful if you suspect non-crew on the station, as they won't appear on the manifest.
  • Security Holoprojector, located in your locker. Creates up to three holographic images that prevent people from running through them. They can be destroyed easily with a few hits. Mostly useful for restricting speed through an area, such as a crime scene.
  • White Crayon, located in your pocket when you spawn. It can be used to draw outlines around corpses if you want to seriously roleplay your investigations (despite the contamination this would cause). An incredibly rare flavor of crayon.
  • Hand Labeler, located on your desk. Can be used to label evidence bags, reports, papers; whatever you need if you want to organize.
  • Cigarettes and a Zippo Lighter, located on your main desk (a cigarette also spawns lit in your mouth). Useful if you want to complete the Noir Aesthetic™.
  • Detective Clothing Bag, located in your locker. Possesses all varieties of clothing to fulfill your noir desires. The trenchcoats and armor vest provide armor and count as Security exosuits for the purposes of storing gear on them.
  • Fedora, located on your head when you spawn. If you ALT+CLICK on it, it'll pull out a candy corn every so often, as well as reveal the flask hidden inside, which is filled with whiskey. The brown fedora's tiny inventory slot can be opened just by clicking on the hat; the black fedora requires you to ALT+CLICK, and it does not have candy corns.

The final two items are not located in the Detective's office, but are useful tools regardless.

  • Handcuffs, located in the Brig and the Security Office. Carrying a pair or two is good for if you have to restrain a suspect or assist an officer. Remember that under normal circumstances you should not be making arrests by yourself.
  • Flash, located in the Security Office. Can be used to instantly stun someone in melee range if they lack flash protection. This hardstuns cyborgs and renders them unable to act or see. You can also interact with it in-hand by clicking on it or pressing Z to perform an area flash, temporarily blinding people around you without flash protection, and disorientating them, making it difficult for them to move in a straight line.

If you're looking for more equipment, the Warden or Head of Security can issue you more standard security equipment. This may come with elevated responsibilities.

Tips

  • Frequent usage of your radio is paramount as a member of Security, and, by extension, a Detective. Informing your fellow officers of your movements, discoveries, and intentions allow for the coordination and cooperation you need to succeed and survive.
    • Obtaining a general, handheld radio is very helpful if Telecommunications has an outage, as you don't have access to a Security Transceiver, unless you ask for one. If you do obtain a Transceiver, be sure to leave it off on default so the Security radio channel isn't leaked to anyone you pass by.
  • If you decide to patrol in maintenance, it's preferred that you get another officer to come with you. Not only is there significantly more safety in numbers, but they possess the equipment and the authorization to make arrests or deal with suspects effectively.
    • In general, you can always act to assist an officer if they're in need of it.
  • Unfortunately, sometimes other officers will print off their own Forensic Scanners and do your job for you, or otherwise ignore what you say. It's preferred to solve these oversteps in-character, and it's important to insist on the little authority you have, as well as the value that your investigating can provide.
    • Because Detective is also widely considered to have the least authority in Security, the leads and suspicions you share might be wholly ignored. As frustrating as this can be, remember that you are not a full officer. You can only act under certain circumstances and can't just arrest someone because Security refuses to do it for you.
  • If you want to check if a husk was drained or burned, try extracting blood from it with a syringe. A Changeling victim won't have any blood.
    • Using circumstantial evidence is usually more than enough to determine this. Inspecting the body will also report any existing Brute or Burn on it.
  • Rather than checking an unknown victim's blood, you can often determine who they are simply by what might be around the body, such as their ID or any stripped items that hint to their identity.
  • As a member of Security, you love donuts. This means that you can bypass species preferences if you're hungry with the donuts in the Security Office, or on the Kitchen counter.
  • A lone radio headset near a body or in a crime scene will probably have the fingerprints of your victim, as well as any traces left by the murderer who stripped it from them.
  • If someone's broken into any Security Posts and stolen the locker, you can assume the Security radio channel is compromised. If you narrow down the suspects based on fibers, make sure to have the officers who search them check their radio headsets as well. A screwdriver on a radio headset pops out the keys, and inspecting it in-hand also tells the channels it has access to.
  • You can use Meson Goggles to find false walls, as the walls will show as open spaces when not in direct sight of them. Furthermore, if you get some cable coil and tools, you can craft Meson HUDglasses, which will combine the benefits of the two eyewears.
  • Using a Handheld Crew Monitor and the crew manifest can help you to nail who is off sensors (and likely dead), or someone who doesn't want to be noticed.
  • The Forensic Scanner can be used at range, to scan containers and such. This is the typically the best way to use it, so you don't accidentally stow it in any containers.
  • You can get a person's fingerprints by scanning them directly with a Forensic Scanner.
  • The Universal Recorder works even in a container. Turn it on and keep it in your bag, or keep recorders around the station, checking on them later to see if they caught anything incriminating.
  • Tiny items other than the flask can fit in your fedora (if you're wearing one), such as a GPS, Universal Recorder, or Pocket Fire Extinguisher.
  • If you find no traces at all on something that should have them, it's very likely someone used soap to clean up the evidence.
  • Contraband shouldn't be used except during emergency situations. Make sure it's delivered to the Warden and that it's firmly locked away. When in doubt, ask an administrator.
Jobs on Yogstation

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Command Captain · Head of Personnel · Head of Security · Chief Engineer · Chief Medical Officer · Research Director
Security Head of Security · Security Officer · Warden · Detective · Lawyer
Engineering Chief Engineer · Station Engineer · Atmospheric Technician · Network Admin
Science Research Director · Scientist · Roboticist · Geneticist
Medical Chief Medical Officer · Medical Doctor · Chemist · Geneticist · Virologist · Paramedic · Psychiatrist · Mining Medic
Supply Head of Personnel · Quartermaster · Cargo Technician · Shaft Miner · Mining Medic
Service Janitor · Bartender · Cook · Botanist · Lawyer
Civilian Assistant · Tourist · Clown · Mime · Artist · Chaplain · Curator · Clerk
Non-Human AI · Cyborg · Positronic Brain · Drone · Personal AI · Construct · Golem · Ghost
Special Centcom Official · Death Squad Officer · Emergency Response Officer · Ian · HONK Squad Officer
Races Humans · Vuulen · Plasmaman · Phytosian · Preternis · Ex'hau · Ethereals · Polysmorph · Miscellaneous