Traffic Crash Investigation Flashcards
Lumbar crayon, sidewalk chalk, and standard/fluorescent paint is used for which traffic crash investigation procedure?
Marking evidence.
Smaller items or gouges less than 3ft, splatter areas, puddles, grooves, or small vehicle marks require _ mark.
1.
Larger items or bodies, vehicles, straight grooves, long sections of railing, and dribble paths require _ marks.
2.
Lumbar crayons and sidewalk chalk are _____ lived.
Short.
Yaw marks, straight irregular marks, and debris areas larger than 3 feet require _ or ____ marks.
3 or more.
Traffic investigation procedure: “Dirt, debris on roadway, gouge marks, sharp angles in skid marks is____ of _____.”
Area of impact.
What are the 5 types of physical evidence from the roadway?
(1) Final resting marks
(2) Tire marks
(3) Gouge marks
(4) Debris
(5) Damage to roadside objects
__________ final resting positions are perpetuated by the driver since they are in control and able to steer and brake.
Controlled.
___________ positions are very important in the investigation. The forces of physics determine the point and time objects to come to rest.
Uncontrolled.
____ skids: measure as one complete skid.
Skip.
___ skids: measure each set of skids separately as well as the gap.
Gap.
_____ skids: measure the entire length of the skid.
Skip.
____ mark is a free rolling tire but also sliding to the side.
Yaw.
What are the 3 types of tire marks?
Skids, yaws, or prints.
___ 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).
ABS (Anti-lock braking system).
____ marks are physical damage caused to the road when some part of the road when some part of the vehicle strikes the roadway?
Gouge.
What is the most common type of physical evidence found at the scene of the crash?
Debris.
What are the 3 basic elements in crashes?
(1) Human
(2) Vehicle(s)
(3) Environment
Which element is the largest percentage of crashes that a police officer will investigate?
Human.
Who is contacted when a vehicle is found to be at fault for a crash?
NHTSA
(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
What does “PD” stand for?
Property damage
What does “PI” stand for?
Personal injury
What are the 5 steps when responding to preliminary traffic crash investigations?
(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.
Appropriate enforcement actions:
(1) DMV-349 form
(2) Issuance of a uniform citation or physical arrest.
Procedures for completing field sketch (not to scale):
(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.
A ________ reference point is a FIXED object or landmark already at the scene that CANNOT be easily moved.
Tangible
Tangible or intangible?
“Fire hydrants, utility poles, bridges, buildings, manhole covers, surveying nails, waterline caps, storm drains.”
Tangible
___________ reference points are those which the officer places at the scene and must be related to and measured from a tangible reference point.
Intangible
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.
Intangible
As far as reference points, you will _______have reference points, and __________ have reference points.
(1) Always
(2) Sometimes
Procedures required upon arrival at crash scene:
(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.
Triangulation method
- Appropriate in the absence of a good reference point.
- Take 3 measurements for each mark, and use 2 reference points for each mark.
DMV-349
Field sketch and crash report form
Instruments for taking measurements:
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.
Special circumstances:
Fatalities and Serious PI crashes
- 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.
