accident investigations/reconstruction

[drunkhunter]

I just the fourth of seven accident reconstruction classes. So far, I've learned how to estimate speeds from skidmarks, critical speed scuffs, and vehicles that go airborne.

My department recently purchased a laser system for working accidents.

Any other accident guys here?

[AussieCop]

I have not done any accident investigation courses, but I will share with you about one of our guys.... he is near completion of yet another course.. As a result of this course, he will receive a Masters Degree in Physics. One of the elements of this course will allow him, with the assistance of a forensic pathologist, to calculate the speed at impact purely from a dismembered limb. It is apparently based on muscle density, thickness of bone and the distance from the point of impact.
Hi tech stuff these days...

[drunkhunter]

Cool. I don't think that I'll ever get that complex with it. The next level will teach us how to estimate speeds based on impact vectors.

[Dave]

I am one of 11 accident investigators, i have not been to any kind of school as of yet, but i have a date so will be attending real soon. I am in the military and on our post we do not have many "serius" accidents, maby 1-2 a year so we can get away with that. besids all my paperwork has to get aproved befor i can turn it in untill i attend. i am also limited to what i can do mostly it is cut and dry TA's. but i still love the job and am loking foward to the school.

[H8Criminals]

Although I have not been to any advanced training, I am often sought to assist, if not complete accidents in our areas. I am trying to go to an advanced school, Northwestern Traffic Institue, or something similar, but management is playing the "we don't need someone that advanced" card. Of course, I got a phonecall at home about a month ago, asking if I was a re-constructionist ... to assist with a pedestrian vs. vehicle accident.

We use a LIDAR (laser) unit to assist with measurements. I can get you the brand if you want, I just don't know what it is off the top of my head. We also are getting a program which will plot our measurements into a report for us ... at least it's supposed to. We'll see what it does when it comes in.

***Okay, I found out that we use the ProLaser II and ProLaser III which are made by Kustom Signals, Inc.***

*** On more thing ... a drawback we have found is that the Laser units don't work well, if at all, in the rain or fog. Remember that the units rely on the light getting back to the unit, and not being defracted by raindrops and other water molecules. I'm guessing snow would hinder the operation of the units as well.***

[This message has been edited by H8Criminals (edited 12-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by H8Criminals (edited 12-11-2000).]

[drunkhunter]

We haven't done much work with the laser system. It does work with a computer program to help draw the diagrams.

[dpdcop]

I have been to the traffic homicide class and the advanced traffic accident class. I am hoping that a accident reconstruction class will come up soon. The only problem that I have is working for a small agency I rarely get to use any of the things I have learned in these classes. I am thankful that we have not had anyone killed or seriously injured yet but this stuff is like foreign languages. If you don't use it you lose it.

[MSchelling]

Drunkhunter: I am one of two Reconstructionists in my department. We have two others trained in Advanced AI, one step lower. Before our budget freeze, we were probably going to get the LTI system. (I'd really like to get a new Total Station complete with plotter. http://www.officer.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif )

Dave,
I was 95B10 and in '89 attended the Q9 (TAI) course at Lackland AFB. It was a pretty great course, combining IPTM and NUTI trains of thought. (I ETSed (95B20Q9) in '93 after being NCOIC, TAI, 2ID, Cp Casey, ROK.) I highly recommend the course, assuming DA still cross-trains with the Wing Nuts. http://www.officer.com/ubb/wink.gif

You may want to check your local state university division of continuing education. Or PCS to Ft Carson, CO, where their Traffic Section has sent quite a few investigators to the CSU/RMITS (Colorado State University/Rocky Mountain Institute for Transportation Safety) courses. Of course, I'm biased: I teach for them, having completed Accident Reconstruction and AI Instructors courses.

Good to hear from fellow traffic cops!

[Niteshift]

"On more thing ... a drawback we have found is that the Laser units don't work well, if at all, in the rain or fog"

The Pro-Laser 3 should do ok in the rain. It is the first one with an inclement weather mode. Using that mode also allows you to shoot through a fence or a car windshield (read that as you can sit in the a/c and run speed enforcement http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif)

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Niteshift-
Perseverate In Pugna

[MSchelling]

Niteshift: Any idea how much it costs? Does it have an interface for mapping like the LTI?

[Niteshift]

The Pro-Laser 3 costs around $3700.

I'm pretty certain that it can be used with the mapping stuff. We can't afford to do the mapping, so I honestly don't pay much attention to it. I got to use the Pro 3 at the laser instructor class and it was much easier to use than the others and picked up a target much quicker. It cost a little more, but it really is worth it, which is why we just ordered one.

Call Kustom at 800-458-7866

or http://www.kustomsignals.com

They'll tell you for sure and probably loan you one to try for a few weeks. Believe me, when you use it, you'll buy it.

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Niteshift-
Perseverate In Pugna

[This message has been edited by Niteshift (edited 01-03-2001).]

[H8Criminals]

We have 2 Pro Laser III's and a Pro Laser (earlier model) as well as RADAR units. As Niteshift said, they are easier to use, but I need to find the instruction manual (I think the sgt. has it) because I can't get it off the power save mode. I understand why the power save mode would kick in using the battery pack, but when using the carplug adapter, shouldn't there be an override function?

[drunkhunter]

I'll be on day shift for 4 months starting tomorrow. I plan on spending a lot of time with our laser gear depending on case loads and such.

Unfortunately, while I'll be able to learnthe laser gear better, it'll severely cut into my drunk hunting.