Body Wires – Always Get Your Evidence
By Jake Lahmann
Body wires remain a timeless tool for undercover operations of all kinds. They not only promote officer safety but also help gather corroborative evidence for building a rock-solid case. Being wireless, however, body wires carry some inherent risks: evidence may be degraded, lost, or ruled inadmissible. Fortunately, there are practical tactics and emerging technologies that teams can use to maximize mission success. Here are six I’ve found most effective:
1. Antenna Orientation
One of the simplest yet most overlooked ways to improve signal reception is proper antenna orientation. At longer ranges, it can mean the difference between clear audio and none at all. In most cases, the receive antenna will be positioned vertically—so the body wire (transmitter) antenna should also be vertical. If a UC/CI has already deployed with incorrect orientation, adjust the receiver antenna to match.
2. Go External
Because undercover vehicles are often used to receive transmissions, there’s a tendency to keep antennas inside to avoid being compromised. The tradeoff is a major loss in range and signal quality. A better option is a high-gain external antenna, which avoids the RF shielding effect of the vehicle and can triple effective range. This also allows operators to position farther away from the target, reducing detection risk.
3. Mic Placement
While today’s microphones are highly sensitive, careful placement is still crucial. For the best signal-to-noise ratio, place the microphone at the chest level with the orifice pointed upward. This increases the likelihood of capturing clean dialogue between UC/CI and targets.
4. Go Digital
Digital body wires provide superior audio quality due to stronger RF interference immunity—especially in dense urban environments. They also offer built-in security: even without encryption, digital signals can’t be intercepted by off-the-shelf scanners. With encryption, they’re mission-ready for high-level intel operations. A solid example of a digital body wire is the Lancer.
5. Go GSM
With today’s near-universal cellular coverage, GSM-based body wires extend effective range to virtually unlimited. Many of these systems, such as the Harpoon, use standard SIM cards—either prepaid or corporate. In the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile are the most common carriers.
6. Record Onboard
Newer digital body wires, such as the Hornet, not only transmit but also record audio locally. This ensures evidence is preserved even if wireless reception drops. Onboard recording also strengthens evidentiary integrity since it bypasses potential disputes about wireless transmission reliability. Still, I recommend redundant recording at the receiving station for added security.
Final Thoughts
Body wires continue to evolve, offering safer, more secure, and more effective options for investigators. By applying these best practices—antenna orientation, external antennas, mic placement, digital systems, GSM integration, and onboard recording—operators can significantly increase their chances of mission success.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this article has been helpful. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future topics, please feel free to contact me.
Jake