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At-Scene Traffic Accident Investigation

Length of Seminar: 3 Days
Instructor: Randy W. King

Course Overview:

This three (3) day course is designed to provide the on-scene accident investigator with the knowledge and skills to apply advanced tactics, techniques procedures and critical factors in an effective accident investigation.

Evidence From the Traffic way: In fact, all the engineers from all the reconstruction firms in this or any other country are all but important in the face of a lack of on-scene evidence, properly identified, interpreted and collected by the on-scene investigator. In this block of instruction, we will look at evidence that is (or should be) collected from the traffic way, including:

1. Condition of Roadway
1. Environmental
2.  Engineering
2. Traffic Control Devices
3. Damage to Fixed Objects
4. Marks Left on the Roadway
1. Tire Marks
• Skids
• Scuffs
• Scrubs
• Pavement Grinding
• Tire Prints
• Furrows and Trenches
2. Gouges and Grooves
3. Pavement Scratching
5. Pavement Grinding
1. Vehicle Parts, Dirt, etc.
2. Vehicle Fluids
3. Body Tissue and Fluids
4. Spilled Cargo

Evidence from the Vehicle: To develop an awareness in the student of the various forms of physical evidence left in and on vehicles after a collision; and to establish an awareness of how to properly locate, interpret, collect and preserve all the various forms of evidence.
State the importance of post collision vehicle examinations and inspections.
State the importance of determining pre-collision, during collision and post collision damage.
List the six major categories of vehicle damage.
List the two major types of vehicle damage and the causes of each.

Coefficient of Friction: To develop an awareness in the student of the concepts and principles involved in the study of coefficient of friction. Further, to develop an understanding of the applications involved in determining coefficient of friction values for given surfaces. Discuss the concepts and principles involved in the studies of coefficient of friction. Identify and apply the equations recognized in the applications of coefficient of friction in determining values of given surfaces.

Center of Mass Braking Percentages and Equation Worksheets: To develop an awareness in the student of the concepts and principles involved in considering an objects center of mass and a vehicles braking efficiency and percentages. Further, to develop an understanding of the applications involved in determining “field” approximated center of mass for vehicles and braking percentages.

Grade and Superelevation: To introduce the student to the concepts of grade and superelevation and their application to speed estimates from skid marks. Define the terms grade and superelevation as they apply to roadways and accident scenes. Obtain the proper measurements and determine grade and superelevation at an accident scene. Adjust drag factors (Coefficient of Friction) to account for differences in grade from a test site to an accident site.

Minimum Speed from Skids: To develop a working understanding of and abilities in the applications of minimum speed, and basic time and distance equations. Identify the equations required to solve minimum speed, and basic time and distance problems. Properly list the application and steps involved in the process of problem solving for minimum speed and basic time and distance problems. Determine vehicles minimum estimated speeds, time, and distance considerations using identified equations.