INV.2060 Traffic Accident Investigation PDF

INV.2060, 2070, & 2080 Traffic Accident Investigation I, II, & III Goal The cadet will define the concepts of proper traffic accident investigation and reporting, as well as basic procedures for traffic direction and vehicle impound. Course Direction This course is the first level of...

INV.2060, 2070, & 2080 Traffic Accident Investigation I, II, & III Goal The cadet will define the concepts of proper traffic accident investigation and reporting, as well as basic procedures for traffic direction and vehicle impound. Course Direction This course is the first level of traffic accident investigation. This course should be taught by a peace officer who has experience in traffic accident investigation and has completed advanced traffic accident investigation courses. Prerequisites There are no prerequisites for this course. Assessment This course will be evaluated through academic assessments and cadet performance reviews Learning Objectives ACCIDENT REPORT FORM INV.2060.101 The cadet will demonstrate the proper method to completely and accurately fill out the state accident (DI-9) report form. Using provided crash information, the cadet will complete an accident investigation DI-9 report form The traffic accident investigator’s crash report instruction manual is available to all law enforcement agencies in an electronic pdf document format CALCULATIONS INV.2060.102 The cadet will identify and demonstrate the proper use of the calculator, template, and nomographs for determining reconstruction formulas, to include: Speed of a vehicle from straight skids Speed of a vehicle from a critical curve Total speed of a vehicle using the combined speed formula The radius of a curve Determine miles per hour Determining feet per second Combining the speeds of multiple surfaces Determining the reaction distance for a given speed Determine point of perception Skid to stop distance Identifying the point of impact in a collision STOPPING FACTORS INV.2060.103 The cadet will identify the factors that influence overall stopping distance of a vehicle, to include: Vehicle condition 1 of 5  INV.2060, 2070, 2080 Traffic Accident Investigation ○ Brake system ○ Tires Road condition ○ Asphalt ○ Concrete ○ Gravel ○ Dirt Weather condition ○ Snow ○ Rain ○ Ice Speed Operator condition ○ Impaired ○ Distracted ACCIDENT SCENE HAZARDS INV.2060.104 The cadet will identify common accident scene hazards, to include: Fuel spills Hazardous cargo Vehicle fires Moving traffic Blood/bodily fluids Power poles, cracked or sheared/downed power lines Unstable vehicles Debris INVESTIGATION TOOLS INV.2060.105 The cadet will identify those materials necessary to complete the investigation of traffic accidents, to include: Measuring tape RollOMeter Traffic cones Flares Calculator or nomographs Diagram forms Accident report forms Road chalk/paint Camera/tripod Accident template Witness statement forms MOVING VEHICLES INV.2060.106 The cadet will identify the circumstances that may allow the movement of vehicles from an accident scene, to include: Minor damage 2 of 5  INV.2060, 2070, 2080 Traffic Accident Investigation No injuries Dangerous traffic conditions NOT MOVING VEHICLES INV.2060.107 The cadet will identify the circumstances that would not allow vehicles to be moved until a thorough investigation is completed at an accident scene, to include: Death involved Serious injuries ○ Possible extrication Extensive property damage SKID TEST INV.2060.108 The cadet will identify the conditions for performing a skid test at an accident scene to determine the drag factor. Cadets will identify the proper steps in performing a skid test as follows: Vehicle in proper condition Surface in question adjacent to the scene Known speed Panic stop Measure distance Drag factors are used with suspect skid marks to determine minimum speeds SKID MARK IDENTIFICATION INV.2060.109 The cadet will identify the different types of skid marks to include: Side skid Locked wheel skid Impending skid Centrifugal skid Acceleration skid MEASURING SKID MARKS INV.2060.110 The cadet will identify and demonstrate the different methods of measuring skid marks using the following: Measuring tape RollOMeter Identification of the “fade” portion of the skid ○ Fade is the early or beginning portion of a skid mark that is the first part of the mark to disappear. NEWTON’S LAW INV.2060.111 The cadet will identify Newton's Law of Motion as it pertains to a vehicle at rest or in motion. Newton’s First Law of Motion ○ Every object remains in a state of rest or uniform motion (constant velocity) unless it is acted upon by an external unbalanced force Newton’s Second Law of Motion 3 of 5  INV.2060, 2070, 2080 Traffic Accident Investigation ○ A body of mass m subject to a force F undergoes an acceleration a that has the same direction as the force and a magnitude that is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass, i.e., F = ma Newton’s Third Law of Motion ○ States, for every action (force) in nature there is an equal and opposite reaction DIAGRAMMING AN ACCIDENT SCENE INV.2060.112 The cadet will identify and demonstrate the proper method to diagram an accident scene using the coordinate method, including use of a template. PROTECTING ACCIDENT SCENE INV.2060.113 The cadet will identify the proper method for protecting an accident scene. First priority of initial officer on scene is to provide scene protection to help prevent the crash scene from becoming worse Use of patrol vehicle to provide protection from oncoming traffic Use of cones/flares ○ Cone patterns to maximize scene safety Accident scenes are to be treated like crime scenes ○ Protect evidence TRAFFIC CONTROL INV.2060.114 The cadet will identify the most logical points to stop/alter traffic. Where natural gaps occur Behind slow moving vehicles Others Routing traffic around the accident scene Do not create “islands” or split traffic around an accident scene TRAFFIC FLOW SIGNALS INV.2060.115 The cadet will identify the proper hand and arm signals. Start traffic Stop traffic Speed up traffic Slow down traffic CLOSING TRAFFIC LANES INV.2060.116 The cadet will identify the proper positioning of traffic cones and flare patterns to most effectively direct or stop the movement of traffic in the following situations: Single lane of traffic Multiple lanes of traffic Divided highways Interstate Highways ABANDONED VEHICLES INV.2060.117 The cadet will identify the officers’ authority and responsibilities regarding abandoned vehicles. UCA 41-6a-1405 – 1408: ○ Peace officer authorized to move vehicle 4 of 5  INV.2060, 2070, 2080 Traffic Accident Investigation ○ Removal and impoundment of vehicles ○ Removal of unattended vehicles prohibited without authorization ○ Abandoned vehicles ESTIMATING DAMAGE INV.2060.118 The cadet will identify and demonstrate the proper methods for estimating the damage of a vehicle involved in an accident, to include: Cosmetic damage Structural damage ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION INV.2060.119 The cadet will identify the following skills needed to process an accident scene. Photographing an accident scene Conducting an inventory of an accident victim's personal property Obtain information regarding an accident victim's injury status Proper methods of evidence collection at an accident scene OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY INV.2060.120 The cadet will identify the operators’ responsibility when involved in a traffic accident. UCA 416a401 Accident involving property damage ○ Damage sustained during the accident exceeds $2,500 UCA 41-6a-401.3 Accident involving injury UCA 41-6a-401.5 Accident involving death UCA 41-6a-401.7 All Accidents - duties of operator, occupant, and owner HIT AND RUN INVESTIGATION INV.2060.121 The cadet will identify the unique characteristics of a hit and run accident to include: Absence of operator Absence of witnesses Paint transfers Physical evidence Last Revision:12/15/2022 5 of 5