CHAPTER Professional Reconstruction In our criminal justice system, almost anyone with a little training can call themselves an expert in the field. Such is the case for accident reconstruction experts. Very few states have certification standards to actually be qualified asan expert. There are several factors needed to be a good accident investigator or the reconstructionist. They include: + Experience in the field of accident investigation (at-scene investigators or police officers responsible for accident investigation) + Education and training in basic, advanced, and reconstruction courses and an adequate background in Physics and engineering + Common sense to know what is poss le and impossible There is a movement on the national level to recognize persons abilities by acertifi- cation examination. Organizations such as the Society of Accident Reconstructionists (S.0.A.R.) and the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (A.C.LA.R,) is but two of such proponents to this desire. In future times it may be a necessity for such a certification to define oneself as an accident reconstructionist. As stated in earlier chapters, the accident reconstructionist simply forms conclu- sions and interprets evidence found at the scene of the accident. This service could be for criminal or civil litigations, if not both. From the data compiled speed, occupant’s position, and vehicle kinetics (movement) before during and after a collision can be derived. When evidence and factual statements are absent in the investigation the accident reconstructionist may develop probable events descriptions on what evidence is available. The terms possibilities, probabilities and proveabilities comes into play when conflicting reports of evidence is noted. What is found or stated at the scene may not be physically possible when coupled with other facts of the case, For example, if a head-on accident takes place on a roadway and both drivers state that they were184 Unit 3 / Accident Investigation traveling in the same direction a problem is present. Both vehicles cannot be going, for example, south and collide head-on. Evidence interpretation along with physical laws pertaining to vehicles involved in collisions will be disputed by the experts determination. Other than the in-depth investigation of motor vehicle accidents, the reconstructionist may be helpful. The ongoing training of at-scene and technical ac- cident investigators within the police department can be accomplished, Police officers can find no better source of training than the expert on the department, When a police officer is experienced in the field of accident reconstruction, the do’s and don’ts in investigation procedures are easier understood to other service and rookie police of- ficers. In some situations assistants or understudies are appointed to assist as well as learn from the experienced accident reconstructionist. A list of possible activities an accident reconstructionist may be involved in could take several pages of discussion. Briefly, some of the issues the traffic accident reconstruction officer may be involved in are as follows: + Speed determination and calculation from marks on the roadway + Speed determination and calculation from damage of the vehicle or vehicles involved + Before, during, and after accident driving tactics of the vehicles involved in an accident + Determination of who was driving by personal injury and occupant and driver movements from the accident + Works with the state’s attorney or prosecutor to prove illegal or criminal acts committed leading to the traffic accident + In unexplained accidents determine probable primary and secondary causes of the accident Speed Determination from Tire Marks One of the most asked questions concerning a traffic accident is how fast were they going. Increased speed results in a higher chance for injury and death resulting from an accident. It is also a point of emphasis in court to show illegal operation ot civil negligence by the driver. So, speed is a factor investigated in most traffic accidents. ‘There are several different types of marks on the road from traffic accidents. Along with that statement, there are also many ways to investigate and use this data found in the investigation to calculate a speed of one or both of the participating vehicles Before an officer can calculate a speed of a vehicle before a crash many factors must be found and understood. The first type of tire mark we will determine speed from isChaprer 13 | Professional Reconstruction + 185 The definition of a skid mark is: a mark made on a surface by a tire sliding without rotation. There are several different ways a skid mark can be made. Some include: + The locking of the brakes to the point that the vehicle still moves, but the tire from brake pressure is prohibited from rolling. + Damage in the wheel area may press against the tire. In this situation the tire cannot roll and will skid on the pavement surface. + The vehicle is sliding in a 90° sideways method. By this force, the tires will side-slide or skid sideways without any braking or damage wedge against the tire. Characteristics of a skid mark are: + The mark is usually straight, but, if irregular braking is present, may have some curvature. * Grooves or striations made within the mark will always run parallel with the mark. + Depending on the surface and tire, the mark is not always black. For example, if loose rock or gravel is on a pavement and the tires locked, a white mark may be made. In wet or rain conditions, the mark will be colorless. + Due to tire air pressure’ and angle of skid the width of the tire or axle width may not always be determined. The force of the tire may widen the skid mark and flatten the tire out if under recommended air pressure. + At the beginning of the mark striations that run on the extreme sides of the tire will mark the surface. As the tire slides on the road, the mark will become more pronounced by being darker in color. This is primarily due to the heat of friction between the road and tire. If tire marks overlap a close investigation of the skid will determine the separate marks. The beginning striations along with the darker areas of the mark all make up the distance of the mark. ‘There are other types of skid marks also. They meet the requirements of the term skid mark, but, have observations that are different. The entire marks relationship may not always be used together, if at all. The investigator will recognize them, calculate and record them properly for future determinations. * Acceleration Marks—Sometimes called a peel out, The vehicle tire skids on the surface due to a greater rotation of the tire than road friction can reduce. Upon first observing the acceleration skid, it appears to be a skid mark in reverse. Without knowing the direction of the vehicle, it is