Basic Collision Investigations 4 Flashcards
What is an accident?
A series of events that produce unintended death or injury or property damage
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What is a Motor Vehicle Collision?
Any event that results in injury, death or property damage attributed directly or indirectly to the motion of a motor vehicle or its load
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In a collision investigation, what are we trying to determine?
- Who
- What
- When
- Where
- Why
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What are some basic collision investigations?
- Traffic enforcement programs-prosecution in court
- Selective enforcement
- Traffic Engineering programs-public information
- Legislation
- Research to build better roads, cars, better signage
- Traffic education programs-public support
- Local support
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What is the number one responsibility when arriving to a traffic collision?
Safety
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What is the at scene investigator responsible for?
- Interviewing drivers, witness/victims
- Conducting inspections of vehicles and roadways
- Record facts/making notes/diagrams
- Statements, measurements, photograph
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True or False: It is important that evidence is documented on scene or it may be lost.
True
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When proceeding to the scene, what must we do?
- FOLLOW DEPT POLICY
- Proceed quickly but safely
- Don’t depend on other vehicles yielding
- Choose the best approach
- Be alert for possible hit and run
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What do we do at the arrival of a scene?
- Keep it from getting worse
- Check for injuries, render aid if qualified, call fire/EMS
- Request additional units as needed
- Check for HAZMAT, electrical, other dangers
- Valuable evidence may be destroyed
- Set priorities and carry out
- Guard against snap judgement/keep an open mind
- Never form conclusions without facts
- Was it staged
- Intentional act (homicide/suicide)
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What involves scene protection and examination?
- Ensure evidence is not removed, stolen, altered, or lost
- Find short lived evidence FIRST collect/preserve
- Examine all components of the collision
- Spend appropriate time
- Possible glare, vision obstruction
- Take field notes
- Photograph
- Collect/preserve all evidence
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When we locate drivers involved, what do we do?
- Obtain drivers licenses, registrations, insurance (confirm accuracy)
- Observe drivers for signs of intoxication, injury, fatigue, or abnormal conditions
- Question drivers separately
- If a conflict occurs, drivers repeat to each other and figure it out
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What do we do when we locate witnesses and passengers?
- Witnesses may be prejudiced or biased
- Friend or relative
- Seeking attention
- Might have not seen the whole collision
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What are the interviewing guidelines?
- Conduct interviews as soon as possible on scene
- Make them feel at ease
- Don’t suggest answers
- Be respectful, courteous, professional
- Be specific, understand answers
- Can take written statements
- Use recording devices (body camera/in-car camera)
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True or False: Most cases can be solved if the vehicle is located.
True
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What are some collision causes and traffic law?
- Drivers
- Mechanical
- Injury
- Fatal Injury-death
- Incapacitating Injury
- Harmful event - an occurrence of injury or damage
- Deliberate intent
- Intersection - an area which is embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines
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What is 56-5-1210?
Duties of driver involved in an accident resulting in death or injury
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What is 56-5-1220?
Duties of driver involved in an accident resulting in damage to attended vehicles
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What is 56-5-1230?
Duty to give information and render aid
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What is 56-5-1240?
Duties of driver involved in an accident involving unattended vehicle
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What is 56-5-1250?
Duty of driver striking fixtures upon adjacent to highways
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What are the two types of vehicle damage?
- Contact Damage - damage on metal surface
- Induced Damage - damage caused by some other part of the vehicle
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What is debris?
Anything that comes off the car from an accident
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Why do we take photographs
It is physical evidence and it is permenent
If there is injuries or possible injuries, how will we respond?
Run code and lights/sirens
