Traffic Crash Investigation

Question 1

Lumbar crayon, sidewalk chalk, and standard/fluorescent paint is used for which traffic crash investigation procedure?

Answer 1

Marking evidence.

Question 2

Smaller items or gouges less than 3ft, splatter areas, puddles, grooves, or small vehicle marks require _ mark.

Answer 2

1.

Question 3

Larger items or bodies, vehicles, straight grooves, long sections of railing, and dribble paths require _ marks.

Answer 3

2.

Question 4

Lumbar crayons and sidewalk chalk are _____ lived.

Answer 4

Short.

Question 5

Yaw marks, straight irregular marks, and debris areas larger than 3 feet require _ or ____ marks.

Answer 5

3 or more.

Question 6

Traffic investigation procedure: “Dirt, debris on roadway, gouge marks, sharp angles in skid marks is____ of _____.”

Answer 6

Area of impact.

Question 7

What are the 5 types of physical evidence from the roadway?

Answer 7

(1) Final resting marks
(2) Tire marks
(3) Gouge marks
(4) Debris
(5) Damage to roadside objects

Question 8

__________ final resting positions are perpetuated by the driver since they are in control and able to steer and brake.

Answer 8

Controlled.

Question 9

___________ positions are very important in the investigation. The forces of physics determine the point and time objects to come to rest.

Answer 9

Uncontrolled.

Question 10

____ skids: measure as one complete skid.

Answer 10

Skip.

Question 11

___ skids: measure each set of skids separately as well as the gap.

Answer 11

Gap.

Question 12

_____ skids: measure the entire length of the skid.

Answer 12

Skip.

Question 13

____ mark is a free rolling tire but also sliding to the side.

Answer 13

Yaw.

Question 14

What are the 3 types of tire marks?

Answer 14

Skids, yaws, or prints.

Question 15

___ is a computer-controlled braking system that applies maximum threshold braking but momentarily releases braking, to prevent complete lock-up of the wheels (unless on snow or ice, which could still cause wheel lock-up).

Answer 15

ABS (Anti-lock braking system).

Question 16

____ marks are physical damage caused to the road when some part of the road when some part of the vehicle strikes the roadway?

Answer 16

Gouge.

Question 17

What is the most common type of physical evidence found at the scene of the crash?

Answer 17

Debris.

Question 18

What are the 3 basic elements in crashes?

Answer 18

(1) Human
(2) Vehicle(s)
(3) Environment

Question 19

Which element is the largest percentage of crashes that a police officer will investigate?

Answer 19

Human.

Question 20

Who is contacted when a vehicle is found to be at fault for a crash?

Answer 20

NHTSA
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Question 21

What does “PD” stand for?

Answer 21

Property damage

Question 22

What does “PI” stand for?

Answer 22

Personal injury

Question 23

What are the 5 steps when responding to preliminary traffic crash investigations?

Answer 23

(1) Drive with due regard for safety
(2) Shortest and quickest route
(3) Monitor radio traffic and reassess response.
(4) Ask: Is the crash fraudulent?
(5) Criminal or non-criminal? Civilians can investigate crashes and tow vehicles.

Question 24

Appropriate enforcement actions:

Answer 24

(1) DMV-349 form
(2) Issuance of a uniform citation or physical arrest.

Question 25

Procedures for completing field sketch (not to scale):

Answer 25

(1) Final uncontrolled positions of the vehicle.
(2) Area of impact (AOI).
(3) Evidence located at the scene (skid marks, bodies, debris, or fluid).
(4) Mark the location of evidence
(5) Tangible and intangible reference points.

Question 26

A ________ reference point is a FIXED object or landmark already at the scene that CANNOT be easily moved.

Answer 26

Tangible

Question 27

Tangible or intangible?
“Fire hydrants, utility poles, bridges, buildings, manhole covers, surveying nails, waterline caps, storm drains.”

Answer 27

Tangible

Question 28

___________ reference points are those which the officer places at the scene and must be related to and measured from a tangible reference point.

Answer 28

Intangible

Question 29

Tangible or intangible?
(1) Points at which extended curb lines intersect.
(2) Points located on roadway, which are measured distance from a tangible reference point.

Answer 29

Intangible

Question 30

As far as reference points, you will _______have reference points, and __________ have reference points.

Answer 30

(1) Always
(2) Sometimes

Question 31

Procedures required upon arrival at crash scene:

Answer 31

(1) Protecting the public and first responders
(2) Preserve evidence
(3) Locate, identify, and interview driver(s) and occupant(s).
(4) Locate, identify, and interview any witness(es)
(5) Identify when additional assistance is required.

Question 32

Triangulation method

Answer 32

• Appropriate in the absence of a good reference point.
• Take 3 measurements for each mark, and use 2 reference points for each mark.

Question 33

DMV-349

Answer 33

Field sketch and crash report form

Question 34

Instruments for taking measurements:

Answer 34

Steel, cloth, or fiberglass measuring tapes, “roll-a-tape,” (wheel-like device that counts up distance as it’s rolled across a surface) and laser.

Question 35

Special circumstances:
Fatalities and Serious PI crashes

Answer 35

• Detail written statements from All parties
• Gather as much info as possible (alcohol/drug use).
• Take detailed measurements
• Contact medical examiner
• Photographs
• Vehicle inspections for defects
• Contact DA when considering criminal charges.