Evidence in Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction : Identification, Interpretation and Analysis of Evidence, and the Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction Process

by Rivers, R. W.

• ISBN13: 9780398076450
• ISBN10: 0398076456
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-04
• Publisher: Charles C Thomas Pub Ltd

Table of Contents

Foreword-Russell Arend	ix
Preface	xi
Introduction to Traffic Crash Investigation	3	(29)
R. W. Rivers
Evidence Defined	3	(1)
Traffic Crash Defined	3	(1)
Traffic Crash Investigation Process and Objectives	3	(1)
Traffic Crash Analysis	4	(1)
Series of Events and Human Factors	5	(3)
Definitions	5	(1)
Events and Factors	5	(3)
Crash Analysis Using the Series of Events	8	(2)
Application of the Series of Events	8	(2)
Analyzing the Events in the Series of Events	10	(2)
Crash Cause Analysis	12	(1)
Series of Events Evidence and Investigation Checklist	12	(1)
Phases and Levels of Crash Investigation	12	(1)
Education and Training	13	(1)
Duties and Responsibilities	14	(1)
Safeguarding Evidence	14	(1)
Accuracy, Errors, and Tolerances in Traffic Crash Investigation	15	(3)
Significant Digits	18	(1)
Occupational Specialist and Laboratory/Analyst Services	18	(1)
Forensic Specialist Services and Reconstruction	19	(3)
Definitions	19	(1)
Medical Professionals	20	(1)
Pathologist	20	(1)
Coroner-Medical Examiners	20	(1)
Dentists and Orthodontists	20	(1)
Behavioral Science Resources	21	(1)
Psychiatrist	21	(1)
Medical Laboratories	21	(1)
Forensic Laboratories	21	(1)
Evidence Technicians	22	(1)
Business, Trade, and Industrial Professionals	22	(1)
Education Professionals	22	(1)
Legal Assistance	22	(1)
The Expert and Traffic Crash Reconstruction	22	(2)
Definitions	23	(1)
Expert Qualifications	23	(1)
An Expert's Responsibilities	24	(1)
Expert Witness	24	(1)
Lay Witness	24	(1)
Fact Witness	24	(1)
Investigators' Pre-Trial Responsibilities	24	(1)
Evidence Evaluator	25	(1)
Investigator's Conclusions	25	(1)
Information Sources	25	(1)
Fraud	26	(1)
Documentation	27	(1)
Exhibits	27	(1)
Ethics	27	(1)
Definitions	28	(1)
Pre-Trial Consultations and Testimony	28	(2)
Pre-Trial Consultations	28	(1)
Testimony	29	(1)
Inferiority Complex	30	(1)
Accreditation Commission for Crash Reconstruction (ACTAR)	30	(2)
The History of ACTAR	30	(2)
Human Error and Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction	32	(10)
Martin I. Kurke
Anne M. Corbin
The Traffic Crash Viewed as a System Failure	32	(1)
Human Reliability and Human Error	33	(2)
Looming Vulnerability and Traffic Crashes	35	(2)
Human Error, and Risk-Taking	37	(1)
Investigating the Role of Human Error in Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction	38	(4)
The Role of Vision, Visibility, and Discernability in Driver Performance and Traffic Accident Reconstruction	42	(9)
Bernard S. Abrams
Introduction	42	(1)
The Eyes and How They Function	43	(2)
Night and Day = Rods and Cones	44	(1)
The Visual Field	44	(1)
The Brain and Vision	45	(1)
Day Eye vs. Night Eye	45	(1)
Photopic Vision--The Day Eye	46	(1)
Scotopic Vision--The Night Eye	46	(1)
Other Components of Vision	46	(1)
Visual Acuity	46	(1)
Field of Vision	47	(1)
Depth Perception	47	(1)
Contrast Sensitivity	47	(1)
Adaptation	47	(1)
Tests of Visual Performance	47	(1)
Visual Acuity	47	(1)
Contrast Sensitivity	48	(1)
Perception: A Four-Step Reaction Process	48	(1)
Factors That Can Affect Vision	49	(1)
Physiological Factors	49	(1)
External Factors	49	(1)
Environmental Factors	50	(1)
Conclusion	50	(1)
Pathology and Accident Reconstruction	51	(11)
James A. Farris
Part I
Introduction	51	(1)
Dynamics of Crash Injury	51	(1)
Location of Victims at Scene	52	(1)
Medical Condition Following the Crash	52	(1)
Prior Medical History	52	(1)
Interpretation of Injuries	53	(1)
Classification of Injuries	53	(1)
Burns	54	(1)
Fractures	55	(1)
Safety Restraint Injuries	55	(1)
The Victim	56	(1)
The Driver	56	(1)
The Front-Seat Passenger	56	(1)
The Rear-Seat Passenger	56	(1)
Infants and Children	57	(1)
The Pedestrian	57	(1)
Motorcyclists and Cyclists	57	(1)
The Post-mortem Examination	58	(1)
Conclusion	58	(2)
Part 2 THE MEDICAL EXAMINER AND TRAFFIC CRASH INVESTIGATION	60	(1)
L. Sathyavagiswaran
The Expectations of a Medical Examiner in a Traffic Accident Investigation	60	(1)
General Statement	60	(1)
Specific Situations	60	(2)
Pedestrian Victims of Vehicular Crashes	60	(1)
Driver/Passenger Victim of a Vehicular Crash	60	(1)
Motorcycle Accident Victims	60	(1)
The Vehicle Fire Victim	61	(1)
Blood Pattern Analysis	62	(11)
Michael Sweet
Introduction	62	(1)
History	62	(1)
Physical Properties of Blood	63	(1)
Determining Directionality of Bloodstains	64	(1)
Categories of Bloodstains	64	(2)
Types of Information Provided by a Bloodstain Pattern Analyst	66	(2)
Analyst Assistance in Traffic Collision Investigation	68	(2)
At Scene Bloodstain Photography	70	(1)
Blood Sample Collection	70	(1)
DNA Exhibit Collection	71	(1)
Handling of Bloodstained Exhibits	71	(2)
Forensic Photography and Scene Measurements
Robert Wyman
R. W. Rivers
Part 1 INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHIC APPLICATIONS	73	(10)
Testimony	73	(3)
Photographic Techniques	76	(1)
Policies, Directives and Limitations	77	(1)
Traffic Engineering and Photography	78	(1)
Photographing the Series of Events	78	(3)
Timelines	79	(2)
Personal Injury Documentation	81	(2)
Part 2 SCENE MEASUREMENTS AND PLAN DRAWINGS	83	(12)
Introduction	83	(1)
Scene Evidence	83	(1)
Photographs and Measurements	83	(1)
Field Sketch	84	(1)
Scale Diagrams	84	(1)
Instruments	84	(3)
Symbols	87	(1)
Conventions for Recording Measurements	87	(2)
Baselines	89	(1)
Reference Points	89	(1)
Measuring Methods	90	(5)
Coordinate Method	90	(1)
Triangulation Method	90	(5)
Trafficway Evidence	95	(1)
R. W. Rivers
Part 1 ASPECTS OF BASIC ENGINEERING AND DESIGN	95	(9)
Traffic Control Devices	95	(6)
Traffic Signs	95	(1)
Sign Descriptions	96	(2)
Traffic Signals	98	(1)
Traffic Control Signal Unit	98	(1)
Detectors	99	(2)
Timing	101	(1)
Traffic Engineering Issues	101	(3)
Part 2 IDENTIFICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF TRAFFICWAY OBSTRUCTIONS, DEFECTS, MARKS AND DAMAGE EVIDENCE	104	(79)
Pavement-Edge Drop Off	105	(1)
Roadway Damage	105	(1)
Roadway Alignment	105	(1)
Glare	105	(2)
Debris	107	(5)
Scrapes and Scratches	107	(1)
Groove	107	(2)
Chip, Gouge, and Chop	109	(1)
Hole	109	(1)
Matching Vehicle Damage to Roadside Objects	109	(1)
Matching Undercarriage Parts	109	(1)
Undercarriage Evidence	110	(2)
Tire Marks	112	(10)
Tire Shapes and Contours	112	(1)
Flat Tire Marks	113	(1)
Overloaded or Underinflated (Overdeflected) Tire Mark	113	(1)
Shadow Evidence	113	(1)
Evidence of Tire Sideslipping	113	(3)
Evidence of a Spinning Tire	116	(1)
Pavement Grinding	116	(1)
Striation Marks	116	(1)
Yaw Mark Striations	116	(2)
Studded Tire Striation Marks	118	(1)
Pass-Over Tire Marks	118	(1)
Tire Prints	119	(1)
Scuff Mark	119	(1)
Acceleration Marks	120	(1)
Forward-Reverse Acceleration Mark	120	(1)
Furrows and Ruts	121	(1)
Skid Marks	122	(9)
Skid Mark Defined	122	(1)
Weight Shift in Skid Marks	122	(1)
Impending Skid Mark	122	(1)
Overlapping Skid Marks	123	(1)
Offset Tire Marks	124	(1)
Braked Wheel Tire Evidence	124	(1)
Tire-Roadway Debris Deposit	124	(1)
Intermittent Skid Marks	125	(1)
Commercial Vehicle Skid Marks	125	(1)
Bounce Tire Marks	125	(3)
Scrub Mark	128	(1)
Detached Utility-Trailer Skid Marks	129	(1)
Towed Vehicle Skid Marks	129	(2)
Vehicle Examinations	131	(52)
R. W. Rivers
Introduction	131	(1)
Vehicle Identification Number	131	(2)
Automobile Components	133	(1)
Commercial Vehicle Components	133	(3)
Drive Trains	136	(1)
Component Failures	136	(2)
Lamps and Reflectors	138	(1)
Suspension Systems	139	(1)
Air Suspension	140	(1)
Shock Absorbers	140	(1)
Steering Systems	140	(2)
General	140	(1)
Power Assisted Steering Systems	141	(1)
Wheel Alignment	142	(1)
Wheels and Rims	142	(1)
Tires	143	(7)
Types of Tires	143	(1)
DOT/MOT Numbers	144	(1)
Speed Ratings	145	(1)
Load Ratings	145	(2)
Service Description	147	(1)
Tire Marking Standard	147	(1)
Inflation and Tire Failures	147	(3)
Brakes	150	(2)
Types of Brake Systems	150	(2)
Brake Inspections	152	(1)
Air Brake System	152	(2)
Exhaust System	154	(1)
Windshield Wipers and Defrosters	155	(1)
Mirrors	156	(1)
Vehicle Loads	156	(1)
Horn, Siren	156	(1)
Noise and Other Distractions	156	(1)
Door Locks	157	(1)
Speed Recording Devices and Methods	157	(3)
Speedometer	157	(1)
Black Boxes	158	(1)
On-Board Computers	158	(1)
Tachographs	158	(1)
Tachograph Charts	158	(1)
Gear Shift Lever/Selector	159	(1)
Trailer Breakaway	160	(1)
Occupant Restraint Systems	161	(1)
Seat Belt Systems	161	(3)
Child Restraints	164	(1)
Air Bags	165	(2)
How Air Bags Work	165	(2)
Vehicle Damages	167	(7)
Principal Direction of Force	168	(2)
Paint Chips and Transfers	170	(1)
Glass Damage and Condition	170	(4)
Vehicle Fires	174	(4)
Driver and Occupant Seating Positions	178	(3)
Recommended References Sites	181	(2)
Speed Analysis	183	(1)
Part 1 INTRODUCTION: TERMS AND DEFINITIONS	183	(32)
Speed and Velocity Defined	183	(1)
Physics	183	(6)
Newton's Three Laws of Motion	183	(1)
Force Defined	184	(1)
External Forces	185	(1)
Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces	185	(1)
Curves	185	(1)
Mass and Weight	185	(1)
Motion	186	(1)
Momentum	186	(1)
Work	186	(1)
Kinetic Energy	187	(1)
Gravity	187	(1)
Centers of Mass and Gravity	187	(1)
Vectors	187	(2)
Friction	189	(1)
Acceleration	189	(3)
Velocity, Acceleration, and Time	189	(1)
Acceleration, Time, and Distance	190	(2)
Distance and Time	192	(1)
Velocity and Speed Change Problem-Solving Formulae	192	(4)
Coefficient of Friction and Drag Factor	196	(3)
Coefficient of Friction and Drag Factor Defined	196	(2)
Grade, Slope, and Superelevation	198	(1)
Methods of Determining Drag Factor	199	(12)
Test Skids	200	(1)
Shot Marker	200	(1)
Test Skid Procedures	201	(2)
Longest Skid Mark	203	(1)
Accelerometer-Electronic Devices	203	(1)
Drag Factor Calculation	203	(1)
Drag Sleds	204	(1)
Custom-Made Drag Sleds	204	(1)
Drag Sled Operation	205	(1)
Drag Sled Calibration	206	(1)
Drag Factor Adjustments	207	(4)
Influences on Braking Distance	211	(2)
Hydroplaning	212	(1)
Roadway Coefficient of Friction (Drag Factor) Guide	213	(2)
Part 2 SPEED DETERMINATIONS	215	(30)
Speed From Skid Marks	215	(4)
Skid Mark Measurements	215	(2)
Slide (Skid)-to-Stop Speed Calculations	217	(1)
Speed Calculation When Skid is on Different Types of Roadway Surfaces	218	(1)
Brakeless Utility Trailers	218	(1)
Special Drag Factor Problems	218	(1)
Speed from Vehicle Yaw	219	(5)
Yaw Mark Measurements	221	(1)
Speed Calculations Based on Vehicle Yaw	222	(2)
Falls, Flips, and Vault Speeds	224	(4)
Falls	225	(1)
Flips and Vaults	226	(2)
Combined Speeds	228	(1)
Special Speed Problems	229	(1)
Crush Speed Estimates	229	(1)
Commercial Vehicle Crash Investigations	229	(1)
Evidence Manual Motorcycle Crash Investigation	230	(15)
Introduction	230	(1)
Types of Motorcycles	230	(1)
Controls	231	(2)
Basics	233	(1)
Dynamics	234	(2)
Rake	234	(1)
Trail	235	(1)
Turning	235	(1)
Acceleration	236	(3)
Braking	239	(1)
Reaction Time	240	(1)
Mechanical Considerations	240	(1)
Slide-to-Stop Speed	241	(2)
Vaults	243	(2)
APPENDICES	245	(30)
Appendix A: English (U.S.) and Metric (S.I. Measurement Systems Conversion Tables	247	(8)
Appendix B: English (U.S.) Conversion Tables	255	(6)
Appendix C: Metric (S.I.) Conversion Tables	261	(8)
Appendix D: Speedometer Accuracy	269	(2)
Appendix E: Symbols	271	(4)
Recommended Reading	275	(2)
Index	277