Vehicular Collision Reconstruction : The scientific process of investigating, analyzing, and drawing conclusions about the causes and events during a vehicle collision. Reconstructionists conduct in-depth collision analysis and reconstruction to identify the collision cause and contributing factors in many different types of collisions, including the human factors , vehicles, roadway and the environment and weather conditions. The laws of physics and engineering principles like the conservation of linear momentum, work-energy methods, and kinematics are the basis for these analyses and may make use of software to calculate useful quantities. Collision reconstructions are completed in cases involving deaths and personal injuries. Collision reconstructions are also useful in developing recommendations for making roadways safer. Most reconstructionist are in the fields of Engineering, law enforcement specialized units and Private Investigators
Investigations
Investigations and Inspections would consist of the collection of data and evidence taken at the scene. Scene and data recovery involves visiting the scene of the collision and investigating all of the vehicles involved in the collision. Investigations involves collecting evidence such as scene photographs, video of the collision, measurements of the scene, eyewitness testimony, and legal depositions. Physical evidence such as skid/scuff marks are examined. The use of mathematical formulas can be used to determine the speeds of vehicles involved in crashes.
As part of the investigation of a vehicle collision, an investigator typically documents evidence at the collision site and the damage to the vehicles.
Technology Used
Many new vehicles are equipped with onboard so called Black Box. The Bosch CDR Tool is a tool available, to allow image crash data retrieved from all supported vehicles giving a detailed report of critical data parameters leading up to and during a crash.
The 3D data can be incorporated into many of the computer simulation programs used in collision reconstruction. The 3D point clouds and models can also be used for creating visuals to illustrate the analysis and to show views of witnesses and the involved drivers.
Presentation
After the analysis is completed, compile report findings, diagrams, and animations to form our expert testimony and conclusions relating to the collision. Forensic animation depicting all or part of a collision sequence in a video format so that juries, can more easily understand the expert's opinions regarding that event.