Crash Scene Investigation Law Enforcement II

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Record/Collect Evidence Fully identify all parties involved (who) Record as much vehicle information as possible (what) CYMBALS Color Year Make/Model Body style Additional information License number State of registration Owner information Damage Damage (crush) rating Scrape or skid length Damage to other items (i.e. poles, rails, or street signs)

Record/Collect Evidence (continued) Interview all parties involved to determine what happened (who, what, and how) Drivers Passengers Witnesses First responders Medical personnel Record all injuries Determine when the crash occurred (when)

Analyze Crash Scene Evidence Five Mutually Exclusive Categories of Injury Fatal Injury – any injury that results in death within thirty days of the crash Incapacitating injury – any injury, other than a fatal injury, which prevents the injured person from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities he or she was capable of performing before the injury occurred Non-incapacitating injury – any injury, other than a fatal injury or an incapacitating injury, which is evident to observers at the scene of the crash in which the injury occurred Possible injury – any reported or claimed injury which is not a fatal injury, incapacitating injury, or non-incapacitating evident injury No injury – a situation in which there is no reason to believe that the person received any bodily harm from the motor vehicle traffic crash in which he or she was involved

Analyze Crash Scene Evidence (continued) The type classification, also called First Harmful Event, for motor vehicle crashes applies to the nature of the crash and the location of the motor vehicle in relation to the roadway at the time of the first injury or damage-producing event Two classification categories include broad injury and damage-producing events, collision and non-collision, have ten mutually exclusive categories describing the nature of crashes that may occur on or off the roadway

Analyze Crash Scene Evidence (continued) Non-collision involving a motor vehicle in transport Overturning Other non-collision Collision between a motor vehicle in transport and a(n) Pedestrian Motor vehicle in transport Parked motor vehicle Railway train Pedalcyclist Animal Fixed object Other object

Drawing Diagrams Preparing an accurate, legible crash scene diagram is one of the most important tasks performed by crash scene investigators The crash scene diagram is a graphic representation of the crash scene The crash scene diagram and the narrative crash report are the records that insurance companies, courts, traffic engineers, and others may review

Drawing Diagrams (continued) Create a field sketch of the scene A rough drawing that “maps” the crash scene as observed by the crash scene investigator on his or her arrival The purpose of the field sketch is to assist the investigator in recording measurements taken at the scene The crash scene investigator should retain the field sketch and rough investigation notes in the case file The investigator draws the field sketch by first recording the outline of the roadways and then drawing all things relevant to the crash in their relative positions

Drawing Diagrams (continued) The field sketch should include the following information which will appear in the final crash scene diagram: Features of the roadway (i.e., fog lines, centerlines, etc.) Positions of vehicles, bodies, debris, blood, etc. Positions of traffic control devices, including advanced warning devices Environmental factors such as snow, ice, and standing water Any item or terrain feature that may have been a factor in the crash Names of streets and addresses, if applicable

Drawing Diagrams (continued) The field sketch should include the following information which will appear in the final crash scene diagram: (continued) Type of road surface or other surface information when the crash is off the road Anything that may have obstructed the driver’s vision and contributed to the crash Types and locations of road lights if the crash occurred at night Skid marks or other relevant marks (i.e., tire prints in snow or mud) or gouges Debris related to the crash Road grade or superelevation Lane and road widths Reference points

Drawing Diagrams (continued) Use numbers to identify the vehicles involved in the crash Use letters to identify the reference points Orient the sketch so that north is at the top of the page Write all information on the sketch so that it is parallel with the top and bottom edges of the sketch This makes the sketch look neater It also makes reading the information of the sketch easier

Mathematical Calculations Speed = distance / time or s = d / t Velocity = 1.466(speed) or v = 1.466(s) Time = (velocity)(acceleration due to gravity)(drag factor) or t = vgf Distance = (velocity)(time in seconds) or d = vt

Final Scale Drawing Plan Determine the largest axis (north-south or east-west) with which to orient your paper Choose the scale of the drawing (i.e., 1 inch = 20 feet, 1 inch = 10 feet, etc.)

Final Scale Drawing (continued) Draw the streets first Most intersections can be drawn from pairs of parallel lines in either a “┼” or “┬” configuration Reconstruct angled intersections from the measurements taken by extending the curb lines to form a triangle Add reference point(s) to the drawing

Final Scale Drawing (continued) Draw (continued) Draw any other relevant item in its correct position Decide the scale you will use and record it on your diagram Draw all of the object and geographic locations within one scale foot of actual measurements

Final Scale Drawing (continued) Draw (continued) Draw any other relevant item in its correct position (continued) Designate “North” with the appropriate direction symbol at the top of the page, and write the word “Approximate” Label all reference points with “Rp” followed by a number Label all spots as “A, B, C,” etc. Use a traffic template to draw

Final Scale Drawing (continued) 500 Blk N. Cooper St.

Final Scale Drawing (continued) Draw (continued) Draw any other relevant item in its correct position (continued) Identify all streets and roads by Name and number Composition of surface Grade Superelevation Write all numbers and letters on the drawing parallel to the top and the bottom edges of the paper Indicate the front of the vehicle with a small triangle, with the point (tip) towards the front of the vehicle

Resources Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Motor Vehicle Crash Manual http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/forms/cit/crash102_final_10_08.pdf Instructions to Police for Reporting Crashes http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/trf/crash_notifications/cr_100_2012.pdf Vehicle Damage Guide for Crash Investigators http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/library/forms/cit/crash80_final_draft_7_08.pdf Law Enforcement Explorers Traffic Accident Study Guide 2010 http://resources.learningforlife.org/exploring/lawenforcement/study/traffic7.pdf Ed Heads Crash Scene Lesson http://www.edheads.org/activities/crash_scene/