MOT OR V E H I C L E A C C ID E NT

INVE S T I GA T IO N
1 - B S CRIMINOLO GY 3 A
GROUP
A. TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
• DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED,
WHO WAS INVOLVED, HOW AND
WHY THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED,
AND WHERE IT HAPPENED.
WHAT IS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT?
• IT IS AN OCCURRENCE IN A
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS WHICH
USUALLY PRODUCES UNINTENDED
INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY
DAMAGE.
MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
• ANY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
OCCURRING ON A TRAFFIC-WAY –
THE ORDINARY COLLISION
BETWEEN AUTOMOBILES ON A
STREET, ROAD OR HIGHWAY.
MOTOR VEHICLE NON-TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
• ANY MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
WHICH OCCURS ENTIRELY AT ANY
PLACE OTHER THAN A TRAFFIC-
WAY - AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT
ON A FARM OR ALONG A PRIVATE
DRIVEWAY OR THOROUGHFARE.
NON-MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
• TRAFFIC ACCIDENT OCCURRING ON A
TRAFFIC-WAY, INVOLVING A PERSON
USING THE TRAFFIC-WAY FOR TRAVEL OR
TRANSPORTATION, BUT NOT INVOLVING
A MOTOR VEHICLE IN MOTION COLLISION
BETWEEN A PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST
ON A SIDEWALK, FOR EXAMPLE.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
• ANY EVENT THAT RESULTS IN UNINTENDED INJURY OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE ATTRIBUTABLE DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY TO THE MOTION OF MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITS
LOAD. INCLUDE ARE ACCIDENTAL INJURY FROM INHALATION
OF EXHAUST GAS-FIRE EXPLOSION, DISCHARGE OF FIREARM
WITHIN THE MOTOR VEHICLE WHEN DUE TO MOTION OF THE
VEHICLE, ANY COLLISION BETWEEN A MOTOR VEHICLE AND A
RAILROAD TRAIN. EXCLUDED ARE COLLISION OF MOTOR
VEHICLE WITH AN AIRCRAFT OR WATERCRAFT IN MOTION,
INJURY OR DAMAGE DUE TO CATACLYSM, AND INJURY OR
DAMAGE DUE TO CATACLYSM.
DIRECT CAUSES OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.

• OVER SPEEDING
• DRIVER’S ATTITUDE/ BEHAVIOR IN DRIVING
• VEHICULAR MALFUNCTIONS
• ROAD CONDITIONS
• ROAD HAZARDS
• PERCEPTIONS FACTORS
PRELIMINARY ACTIONS
A) WHEN THE OFFICER RECEIVE THE CALL:
(I)WHEN AND WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
(II) HOW SERIOUS WERE THE INJURIES.
(III) NEED FOR AMBULANCE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT.
(IV) NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON REPORTING. HE MAY BE AN IMPORTANT WITNESS.
(V) WHO WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT?
(VI) IS THERE A TRAFFIC BLOCK?
(VII) ARRANGE FOR HELP, IF NEED- E.G., FIRETRUCKS, ETC.
B) DRIVE SAFELY IN GOING TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE. BE ALERT FOR CARS LEAVING THE SCENE. IT MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE A HIT-
AND-RUN CASE.
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
A) PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY.
(I) RENDER WHATEVER AID IS NECESSARY TO THE INJURED PERSONS.
(II) TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT FURTHER DESTRUCTION (LIKE FIRE AND OTHER HAZARDS).
(III) PLACE WARNING DEVICES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
(IV) PARK THE POLICE CAR SAFELY.
(V) GET ALL THE NAMES OF PERSONS PRESENT. IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE
INJURED OR DEAD, YOU MAY NEED THESE PERSONS TO PROTECT THE GOOD NAME OF THE PNP
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
B) PROTECT THE ACCIDENT SCENE.
(I) PREVENT PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FROM BEING LOST OR DESTROYED.
(II) PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE S REMOVED.
(iii)FIRST THINGS FIRST. LOCATION AND POSITION CAN BE MARKED OFF FIRST AND MEASUREMENTS TAKEN LATER.
C) PROTECT OTHER PROPERTIES.
D) DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
(I) DETERMINE WHY IT HAD OCCURRED.
(II) DETERMINE THE TIME AND DATE OF THE ACCIDENT.
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
[III) EXAMINE THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.
(IV) RECONCILE CONFLICTING SITUATIONS.
(V) DETERMINE THE CONCLUSIONS DERIVED FROM PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.
(VI) IDENTIFY EVIDENCE REGARDING THE BEHAVIOR –OF INDIVIDUAL DRIVERS.
(VII) DETERMINE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BOTH DRIVERS.
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
E) LOCATE DRIVERS AND WITNESSES.
(I) GET DRIVER’S LICENSE.
(II) GET THE NAMES AND OTHER DETAILS CONCERNING PERSONS WHO MIGHT HAVE
WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT. START WITH THE ONES WHO APPEAR TO KNOW SOMETHING OF
THE ACCIDENT.
(III) IF THE DRIVERS ARE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, MAKE IT A POINT TO SEPARATE
THEM
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
F) INTERVIEW DRIVERS AND WITNESSES.
(I) CONDUCT EACH INTERVIEW SEPARATELY.
(II) DO NOT MAKE CONCLUSIONS AS TO RESPONSIBILITY IN THE PRESENCE OF
DRIVERS AND WITNESSES.
(III) BE ALERT FOR SWITCHES BETWEEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER.
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
G) TAKE MEASUREMENTS, AND MAKE DIAGRAMS AND SKETCHES.
H) IDENTIFY THE PRECISE LOCATION WHERE THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
I) OBTAIN EQUIPMENT TO REMOVE DAMAGED VEHICLE.
J) EVALUATE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.
K) CHECK THE ROAD AND VEHICLE CONDITIONS.
(I) CAREFULLY EXAMINE ROAD SIGNS, SIGNALS, MARKING AND OTHER TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.
(II) EXAMINE ALL MOVING PARTS OF THE VEHICLE.
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
L) MAKE CONCLUSIONS ON THE VALIDITY OF STATEMENTS.
M) AFTER LEAVING THE ACCIDENT SCENE.
(I) INTERVIEW THE INJURED AT THE HOSPITAL.
(II) GET THE MEDICAL REPORT OF THE INJURED PERSONS.
(III) STEPS SHOULD BE STARTED TO NOTIFY THE RELATIVES OF ALL INJURED PERSONS.
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
M) AFTER LEAVING THE ACCIDENT SCENE.
(I) INTERVIEW THE INJURED AT THE HOSPITAL.
(II) GET THE MEDICAL REPORT OF THE INJURED PERSONS.
(III) STEPS SHOULD BE STARTED TO NOTIFY THE RELATIVES OF ALL INJURED PERSONS.
N) ACTION AGAINST VIOLATORS.
(I) RE-EXAMINE AND ASSES THE EVIDENCE
DUTY OF A POLICE OFFICER IN TIME OF THE TRAFFIC
ACCIDENT
(II) IS YOUR COURSE OF ACTION SUPPORTED BY EVIDENCE?
(III) CONSIDER THE ADVISABILITY OF CONSULTING YOUR SUPERIOR
OFFICERS IN ASSESSING EVIDENCE AND DECIDING ON THE MOST APPROPRIATE
COURSE OF ACTION.
O) INITIATE ACTION ON THE EVIDENCE AND FILE THE CHARGE.
P) PREPARE THE REPORT.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
1. SKID MARKS AS EVIDENCE IN ACCIDENT CASES.
THIS IS USEFUL SEVERAL WAYS OTHER THAN AS IDENTIFICATION OF THE VEHICLE’S SPEED.
A) IT WILL SHOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION OF ON THE
WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD.
B) IT WILL INDICATE IF THE DRIVER FAILED TO OBSERVE THE RIGHT OF WAY.
C) IT WILL ALSO SHOW IF THE DRIVER DID NOT OBEY A TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
2. PROCEDURE FOLLOWED BY THE PNP.
A) THE OFFICER SUBMITS AS EVIDENCE IN A CASE THE MEASUREMENTS OF THE SKID-MARKS AND THE COURT
INTERPRETS THE FACTS IN THE LIGHT OF OTHER EVIDENCE.
• SOME COURTS REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF AN EXPERTS.
• MEASUREMENT SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BY TWO MEN.
• SKETCHES AND PHOTOGRAPHS WITH MEASUREMENT INDICATED SHOULD BE MADE SOON AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
B) SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE THEIR OFFICERS SKID A VEHICLE TO A STOP FROM THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT, IF
THIS CAN BE DONE SAFELY, AND COMPARE THE SKID-MARKS WITH THOSE IN THE ACCIDENT.
C) SOME WOULD DRAW CONCLUSIONS FROM TESTS BASED ON PHYSICAL CALCULATION .
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
3. MEASUREMENT OF SKID MARKS.
A) SHOULD MEET LEGAL STANDARDS. OFFICERS MEASURING THE SKID MARKS AND THE
DISTANCES TO EMBANKMENT OR OTHER FIXED CONSTRUCTION SHOULD VERIFY EACH OTHERS
MEASUREMENTS SO THAT THEY CAN CORROBORATE EACH OTHERS TESTIMONY IN COURT.
B) EVIDENCE SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO SHOW THAT THE SKID MARKS WERE MADE BY THE
SUSPECT CAR.
C) WITNESSES SHOULD TESTIFY IN COURT.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
4. BASIC PRINCIPLE IN CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS.
ENERGY AND VEHICLE SPEEDS. AS AUTOMOBILE MOVING ANY SPEED POSSESSES ENERGY . AS THE
SPEED OF THE VEHICLE INCREASE, THE RESULTING ENERGY RATIO OF THE INCREASE AS THE SQUARE
OF THE RATIO OF THE INCREASE IN SPEED.
EXAMPLES:
20 KPH = 40
30 KPH = 90
40 KPH = 160
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
5. STOPPING A MOTOR VEHICLES.
• WHENEVER A MOVING VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE ENERGY WHICH IT
POSSESSES AT THAT TIME MUST BE EXPENDED OR SPENT. IT IS ONLY WHEN
MOST OR ALL OF THE VEHICLE’S ENERGY IS EXPENDED THROUGH SKIDDING
OF TIRE THAT A VEHICLE’S ACCURATE CALCULATION MAY BE MADE OF THE
VEHICLE’S SPEED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
6. SKID MARKS.
• THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHICH RESULTS IN THE LOCKED
WHEEL CONDITION PLACES SUCH A GREAT PRESSURE BETWEEN THE BRAKE
SHOE AND THE BRAKE DRUM THAT FRICTIONAL FORCE AT THIS POINT
BECOMES GREATER THAN THE FRICTIONAL FORCE BETWEEN THE TIRE AND
THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN THIS CONDITION EXIST, THE WHEELS SKIDS.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
7. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION – DRAG FACTOR.
IT IS THE MEASUREMENT OF THE MAXIMUM FRICTIONAL RESISTANCE OF PAVEMENTS. IT IS
EQUAL TO THE FORCE EXERTED WHEN THE WHEELS ARE SKIDDING DIVIDED BY THE WEIGHT OF THE
CAR.
PS = TEST SPEED SQUARED
30 X BRAKING DISTANCE
WHERE “30” IS THE GRAVITATIONAL CONSTANT IN MILES PER HOUR. (TRANSFORMATION OF
FEET PER SECOND TO MILES PER HOUR.)
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
8. REACTION TIME.
THIS IS THE DISTANCE TRAVELED BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES.
A) DIVIDE SECONDS IN AN HOUR (3,600) INTO FEET IN A MILE (5,280) = 1.467.
B) TO DETERMINE DISTANCE YOU WILL TRAVEL IN ONE SECOND, 1.467 (1.467 OR 1.5) TIMES THE
SPEED AT WHICH YOU ARE TRAVELING.
C) TIME TO GET FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND SLAM IT ON THE BRAKES IS ¾ OF A SECOND ON
THE AVERAGE. THE AGE OF THE DRIVER SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
D) 1.5 X SPEED = LENGTH IN FEET COVERED BEFORE BRAKE WORKS FOR YOU.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
9. TEST RUNS.
IN MAKING CALCULATIONS FOR SPEED S FROM SKID MARKS, IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO CONDUCT ONE OR MORE TEST RUNS, USING THE
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT OR, IF IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN, ANOTHER VEHICLE OF SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS MAY BE USED.
A) CONDITIONS SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THOSE EXISTING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CHARACTER OF THE ROAD, WHETHER
WET OR DRY, SHOULD BE THE SAME,
B) CONDUCT TESTS ON THE SAME ROAD SURFACE AND IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
C) THE VEHICLES SPEEDOMETER SHOULD BE CHECKED, AND ANY DIFFERENCE FROM ACCURATE CALIBRATIONS SHOULD BE NOTED.
D) A SPEED CONSISTENT WITH SAFETY, SUCH AS 20 OR 30 MILES PER HOUR, SHOULD BE SELECTED FOR THE TEST RUN.
E) BRAKES SHOULD BE APPLIED SUDDENLY AND AS HARD AS POSSIBLE WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING AT THE SELECTED TEST SPEED.
CALCULATING SPEEDS FROM SKID MARKS
F] THE LENGTH OF EACH SKIDMARK SHOULD BE MEASURED.
G] IF A BRAKE DETONATOR IS AVAILABLE, THE TOTAL BRAKING DISTANCE SHOULD BE ACCURATELY
DETERMINED USING SUCH EQUIPMENT, EITHER MECHANICALLY OR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED.
H] GENERALLY, IT IS ADVISABLE TO CONDUCT TWO OR THREE TEST AT THE SELECTED SPEED. THE
TEST PRODUCING THE LONGEST BRAKING DISTANCE, THAT WHICH FAVORS THE DEFENDANT MOST, IS
GENERALLY USED IN THE CALCULATION.
I) TO AVOID POSSIBLE DIFFERENCES IN THE APPLICATION OF BRAKES BY THE DRIVER, IT MAY BE
ADVISABLE TO HAVE THE DRIVER OF THE ACCIDENT VEHICLE DRIVE THE CAR IN THE TEST RUN.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!!!