What Equipment is Used in Trafffic Accident Investigations?
Q.
I'm doing a Forensic Science course at college, and I am doing a road traffic accident investigation.
Part of this assignment is to do a presentation which explains investigation techniques and equipment, but I have looked on many sites and can't find anything that tells me WHAT equipment is actually used!
A.
The role of a traffic accident investigator is crucial when it comes to piecing together the puzzle of a collision scene. There are a number of essential items that all good road traffic accident investigators should own and have available at the scene of a collision. Most are provided by the company that the investigator is working for, however many will choose to purchase extra items to ensure that they can be efficient on the job. It is often a rather gruesome occupation, but can be very fulfilling, especially when you are able to provide a detailed account of the scene. Many victims families rely on a good accident investigator to put their mind at ease after an accident, so ensuring you're equipped for the job is essential.
Marking tools are among the most important tools for any good crash investigator. There are a number of marking tools that you must have in your kit:
- Chalk – to make quick temporary marks, but remember it washes off in the rain
- Yellow lumber crayon – marks most surfaces and in all weather types
- Spray chalk – Similar to the bright orange spray that surveyors use. Often used to mark the position of vehicles on dry surfaces, but it will eventually wash off
- Spray paint – Semi-permanent, so only use if absolutely necessary
- Nails, washers and bottle caps. Nail a bottle cap to mark the zero point on a base line
You should also have a number of measuring tools available in your investigation kit including:
- 100-ft and 25-ft steel or fibreglass measuring tape
- 8-ft steel measuring tape and a measuring wheel
- Surveyor pins and a hammer
Recording tools are an essential part of a crash investigators tool kit and many people have their own preferences as to which they’ll use. Most people have all, or a mix of the items outlined below:
- Clipboard, paper, pens, pencils, report forms, intersection diagrams and clear plastic sheets or plastic bags to put your reports in if it’s raining
- Camera and micro tape recorder. The camera can be used to document the scene accurately and the tape recorder to easily take notes and thoughts down
Other tools of the trade that aren’t specific to accident investigators, but can be used by them are items such as a flashlight, flares, traffic cones, compass, evidence envelopes and something to carry everything in.
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