True crime enthusiasts and members of law enforcement have found common ground at a unique Phoenix store aptly named ‘Crime Scene’. This business, which started out online 30 years ago, sells a plethora of items directly linked to forensics and criminal investigations. It was originally conceived by Tom Arriola who began by offering a murder-mystery game that came free with the purchase of a fingerprint kit. As stated by FOX 10 Phoenix, "We go through several million fingerprint cards every year," said Arriola, indicating the scale at which the business operates.
Having firmly planted its roots in the digital marketplace, the store made a physical transition a few years ago, only to find their clientele expanding beyond the typical consumer. As reported by MSN, even the FBI frequents the shop, with Arriola saying, "They come in every month or so to purchase gun evidence boxes." Crime scene cleaners, having to get by with blood swabs for post clearance, also make their way to the store to stock up on necessary supplies.
While ‘Crime Scene’ has diversified into selling everything from body bags to evidence bags, Arriola has not abandoned his roots. He continues to sell the original detective game and has since added a child-friendly version that involves searching for a missing dog. "They'll learn to use this to analyze footprints," Arriola told FOX 10 Phoenix.
The store essentially functions as a one-stop shop for crime lab essentials, providing a service that is unusual in its immediacy and breadth. Stating a commitment that brushes on the personal, Arriola said in a statement to MSN, "It's sort of an obligation when someone calls in the middle of the night, and they say ‘I need some fingerprint cards or a body bag for a dead dog or something,’ I come over here and I get it for them 24 hours a day, because there's no other option." Clearly, Arriola's dedication to serving a community that operates all hours is as unique as the products his store offers.
