Detective

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Revision as of 16:24, 31 December 2013 by Convair880 (talk | contribs) (Reference to the .38 AP speedloaders and forensic profile for guns.)
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Smoke. Drink. Monologue.

The detective is responsible for investigating crimes on the station. While security will hopefully quickly note a rampaging traitor with a bloody c-saber in their hands, stealthy antagonists can easily slip beneath the radar and carry out their tasks without regular officers noticing. The detective is well equipped for investigation but not for actually going out and arresting people. Detectives should remember that while they are part of security, they are not security officers, and they lack access to the Security equipment lockers.

The Office

So cool.

The detective's office, in addition to its sleek noir style, features a few useful items. The security computer (looks like a filing cabinet) is a much easier way to adjust and check security records than the ThinkDOS security computer. The surveillance camera (looks like an old TV) allows you to remotely monitor the station, though without the ease of switching between cameras the AI enjoys. Surveying hot spots can occasionally let the detective spot trouble before it happens, or help him coordinate security efforts from the safety of his office. The secure briefcase can be set to any 5-digit combination you desire. It's an effective place to store confiscated traitor items, though it can still be hacked or emagged. The closet contains a spare set of clothes, a flash, and spare investigation items.

Equipment

Optical Thermal Goggles

One of the detective's most coveted items. One of only two pairs on the station, the other being inside the Head of Security's locker. Allows the detective to see cloakers and players through walls. Wearing these makes you susceptible to flash stuns.

Scanner

The detective starts with one in their backpack. Scans fingerprints and blood on items, players, doors, machinery, etc. His PDA has the same functionality, but the scanner can also be set to print its results on fingerprint cards and can scan from range. Players who wear gloves do not leave complete fingerprints on items but do leave fibers. Black fibers come from the gloves worn by botanists, miners and quartermasters, yellow insulated fibers come from the gloves worn by engineers or mechanics and red leather fibers from boxing gloves. Latex gloves worn by doctors leave partial prints, obscured by junk symbols.

Blood analysis gives the DNA of the blood, for which the detective's file cabinet (Search Records) can be used to find a match. Ballistic fingerprinting is another of the scanner's applications for weapons which actually leave physical evidence behind. A forensic profile can be created for bullets dug out of corpses in the morgue, or in other words link that revolver you found on a suspect to the murder in question.

Fingerprint Cards

Using these on a person will take their prints. Everyone's prints are already on file in the security database, though these records can be deleted or tampered with.

Fingerprint Case

Works like a clipboard, but for fingerprint cards and the printouts from your scanner.

Evidence Box

An important-looking box with an official seal and everything. Intended to safely handle and store evidence.

Camera

Camera.png
Using this on a person or tile will spit out a picture. The camera has 10 uses and can't be refilled. The captain has a spare, and there's two low capacity cameras in telescience and the journalist office below the market. Examining the picture will show you the names of all people or things on that tile, as well as anything those people are holding in their hands. The camera can be used in conjunction with thermals to take pictures of people through walls and through the surveillance camera.

Secure Briefcase

A good storage place for your gear or any sensitive items you pick up. Can be set to any 5-digit code you like. A locked case can be emagged or hacked open by those in the know.

Flash

Can be used to subdue suspects who are not wearing adequate eye protection. The flash can also disrupt cloaking fields, allowing everyone else to spot that cloaked traitor.

Tape Recorder

Will record your voice, and yours only, if you hold it. Will pick up anything said in a room if put down. Can be hidden under a backpack or something to surreptitiously record a conversation.

.38 Revolver

Your trusty sidearm, which can be kept in your pocket. Depending on how you intent to use it, there are different types of ammunition to chose from:

Regular
Packs a decent bunch and causes bleeding. Because this lethal ammo can do significant harm, it should only be used in emergency situations or in self-defense. It is helpful against superpowered foes who can resist normal security weapons. The .38 comes loaded with regular rounds by default.

Stun
The less-lethal option that works like a taser. Safe to use and does not injure the person you are trying to arrest.

AP
For trigger-happy traitor detectives. These babies pierce body armour like butter and cause lots of damage.

Clothes

Detective hat.png
Hat, hard-worn suit, coat. Essential for gun-slinging and composing eloquent monologues.

Cigarettes & Zippo Lighter

Nothing says 'cool' like bronchitis.

Bo Jack Daniels

For the detective who really doesn't give a shit and winds up dead and missing his gear in the bar 5 minutes into the round.

Investigation Tips

A good detective should be familiar with the abilities and gear of the station's varied antagonists. While sometimes they will be fortunate enough to find a traitor item with a complete set of prints, the detective often has to work out traitors based off suspicious behavior, tailing people and listening to the communications from the rest of the crew. Occasionally checking in on really sensitive areas such as the armory, AI upload, or mixing lab can avert serious disaster-- seeing that the armory has been broken in from space 4 minutes into a round is generally a tip-off that nuclear operatives are about to raise hell. Checking out waste disposal or garbage chutes can uncover murder victims or hastily stashed gear.

The camera is a great tool if you can catch traitors in the act of doing something suspicious. Many traitors, when aware that the heat is on, can ditch their gear and then attempt to bullshit their way out of imprisonment. Solid evidence is much harder to argue against.

If you have enough evidence to support arresting someone who has not committed an overt act of treason, alert security over the secure frequency and set their status to "Arrest" in the security records. This will have Officer Beepsky and active guardbuddies attempt to detain the target. The detective can assist in arrests, but with no armor or taser, should leave the heavy lifting to security officers.

The detective has the option of having their thermals scanned at electronics, giving the crew many more eyes against cloakers. This can backfire, as a traitor armed with thermals can more easily evade security, so think carefully before doing so.

Crew Objectives

As a loyal crew member, you can sometimes be assigned some strictly optional objectives to keep yourself busy while you wait for something to happen. As a detective, you can expect to see the following:

Ensure that you are still wearing your coat, hat and uniform at the end of the round
Just don't get mugged, which is very unlikely.

Make sure you are smoking at the end of the round
Just make sure you have your smokes and your zippo, and light up when you're in the escape shuttle.

Make sure there is alcohol in your system at the end of the round
Keep your Bo Jack Daniels on you and take a swig on the shuttle. Before or after lighting up.

Syndicate Detective

The Syndicate detective may order custom ammunition for his revolver to shoot people. Aside from that, he has a lot of other options to work with. Most captains and HoPs won't object to giving you security access, letting you load up on weaponry. The AI can generally be convinced to let you in wherever if you say it needs investigating. The security records can be tampered with to accomplish a variety of tasks, not just sending Officer Beepsky after the captain and deleting your own record, but also altering fingerprints to frame someone else for possession of traitor gear. Cloaking devices are also handy, as you already control one of the two thermals on the station.

Supplementary Video

Playing Detective on SS13

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Jobs on Space Station 13
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