1. Tool Time Traffic Accident Photography
Tab 3
Tool Time
Traffic Accident Photography

2. Rapid Response…anywhere, anytime

3. Recording & Documenting Evidence
Photography: 35mm, Digital, Point & Shoot, Video, Polaroid
Verbal Narrative: Tape Recorder
Sketching and Diagramming
Forensic Mapping

4. Tools, Equipment and Supplies
>Measuring
>Recording
>Photography

5. Tools, Equipment and Supplies
Flashlights
Safety equipment
Foul weather gear
Writing instruments
Colored pencils
Traffic cones
Haz-mat basics
Plenty of batteries
Photo Equipment (camera, video, digital,point+shoot)
Plenty of film
Flash units
Tape recorder
Measuring tapes
Measuring wheels
Clipboards

6. Tools, Equipment & Supplies, cont’d
CFR 49 reference
Stop watch
Magnifying lens
Plastic bags (ziplock)
Plastic bags (trash)
Pavement markers (spray paint, chalk)
Forms and reports
Warning lights
Warning signs
References and contact lists
Cell phone
Local and state maps
Spray cleaners, rags

7. Tools, Equipment and Supplies
Collected before you need it
Stored in a known location
Safety response personnel know how to use all of the equipment
Back-up supplies and equipment
Readily accessible

8. Traffic Accident Photography
Recording of Vehicle Damage
Assist with Damage Evaluation
Record Vehicle Condition, Equipment & Options

9. Traffic Accident Photography
Record the basic information and evidence from traffic crash
Documentation of tire mark & roadway evidence
Documenting highway layouts & geometry
Basic measurements and dimensions

10. Front Left Side Right Side Rear
The “basic 4” photographs of a vehicle include:
Front
Left Side
Right Side
Rear

11. Documenting Vehicle Information
Basic vehicle identification
Year, make, model, style, color, VIN
Trim package and accessories
Owner “add-ons” (trailer equipment, cell phone, appearance enhancements)
Load description and location

12. Documenting Vehicle Information
Areas of physical damage
Areas where there is no damage
Extent of contact overlap
Type of physical damage
Amount of crush or collapse
Scratches, abrasions, gouges
Angular or perpendicular deformation

13. Documenting Vehicle Information

14. Documenting Vehicle Damage
Take photographs at perpendicular angles to the vehicle

15. Supplemental flash will “fill in” portions of the vehicle that are in the shadow areas.

16. Documenting Vehicle Damage
Take close-ups if needed
Take series of photos along each side

17. Photograph entire vehicle at different levels

18. Document all surfaces, structures and components for damage or contact evidence as well as the lack of damage or contact evidence!
Focus on surfaces and heights where there is a potential for finding evidence of contact from the other vehicle.

19. Documenting Truck Condition
Photo the Entire Vehicle to document
the presence and operation of all safety items!!

20. Documenting Truck Condition

21. Vehicle Damage
Add a measuring device into photo to allow a dimension to be evaluated later.

22. Vehicle Damage

23. Illustrate vehicle crush

24. Document Load & Tire Condition

25. Documenting Scene
Impact
Evidence

26. Perishable Physical Evidence

27. Several Hours After the Crash…..

28. 3 Weeks After the Crash…..

29. Perishable Physical Evidence

30. Path of Travel

33. Documenting Debris Pattern
What can debris tell us?

34. Nighttime Photography

35. Nighttime Photos Difficult to obtain the proper exposures

36. Basic Perspective Grid

38. Measurements from Photographs

39. Measurements can be made from photographic prints of scenes & cars.