ACTAR 2398 Objectives Not all crash reports are the same STARS Report Reconstruction Report Different officers do different reports Patrol Officer Traffic Officer Reconstructionist Objectives ID: 618755
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Slide1
Brian O. Reeves
ACTAR #2398Slide2
Objectives
Not all crash reports are the sameSTARS ReportReconstruction ReportDifferent officers do different reports
Patrol OfficerTraffic OfficerReconstructionistSlide3
Objectives
Why are these distinctions importantWhat can I expectWhat are the limitations of the report/informationWhy is this important to youWhat is expected of me
and what is needed to produce my work productSlide4
What kind of report do you have
?Slide5
STARS
Report
Reconstruction
ReportSlide6
What is a STARS ReportSlide7
STARS REPORT
State mandated on State FormStandardized across the stateFilled out by Law EnforcementFor a statistical analysisAs a service to the community
Looking for Traffic ViolationsAttempting to location problemsSlide8
STARS REPORT IN 2012
National there were 36,200 fatal crashesIn MissouriThere were 137,384 reports filed with
MSHPThere were 826 persons killed in 762 crashesSPD filed 5% of these reports (6,889)Springfield PD 22 fatal crashes
Columbia PD 5 fatal crashesKansas City PD 69 Fatal crash (highest in the state)Slide9
STARS REPORT
Criteria for completion:At least one motor vehicle in transportAt least one harmful event (Damage or Injury)
Unintentional actNot a result of a CataclysmNot initiated by aircraft or watercraftSlide10
STARS REPORT
Mostly a checkbox and fill in the blank formCaptures standard informationPerson informationVehicle information
Location informationTime informationDamage and Injury informationLittle room for follow-up
Ten to twenty minutes investigation Slide11
Who fills out the STARS?
A Street OfficerA Generalist with a long list of skills, too long to list hereA Criminal InvestigatorSlide12
So who is this person…
According to Paul HarveySlide13
POLICEMEN
Tied to the radio for his next assignmentThere is typically always one waitingCrash ResourcesA 192 page manual for a 3 page reportOne week of training in the academy
He might know Slide14
Policemen
Do they investigate Fatal Crashes?Not if they can help itUsually on a very limited basesOne of the main criteria isAre the going to be charges filed?Slide15
POLICEMEN
SINGLE VEHICLE SINGLE OCCUPANT FATALIt’s all his because there are no chargesWill typically be asked…What is taking so long?When can the road be re-opened?
Its just a crash report for the insurance companySlide16
Who is a Reconstructionist?
A Police SpecialistFormalized Crash Investigation TrainingBasicAdvanced Reconstruction
Other Specialty Schools
Human Factors
Motorcycle / Pedestrian
Commercial
Motor Vehicle
Event Data Recorder
Forensic Mapping
Photography
Occupant Kinematics
Etc.Slide17
Reconstructionist
Specialized EquipmentTotal StationCamera
EDR EquipmentScene marking tools
Street closure devicesSlide18
Reconstructionist
Resources include:Reference material from specialized trainingFormula booksOther team membersTime
Experience Desire to get it rightSlide19
What is this Desire?Slide20Slide21Slide22Slide23Slide24Slide25Slide26Slide27Slide28Slide29
ReconstructionistSome are not Law Enforcement
Formal EducationPhysicsEngineeringMathematicsSlide30
The Reconstruction Report
A Criminal Investigation 1st Degree Murder
2nd Degree Murder
Involuntary ManslaughterCareless and Imprudent DrivingSlide31
The Reconstruction Report
Includes but not limited to:Scale Diagram (Baseline Coordinate or Triangulation Measurements)
Event Data Recorder (EDR) DownloadWitness statements
Follow-up InvestigationPhotographsProbable contributing circumstances explained Slide32
The Reconstruction ReportCrime scene documentation
DNAFinger PrintsPhotographyForensic Scale Diagram
(Total Station)Physics (Analysis of Vehicle Dynamics)Physical EvidenceSlide33
The Reconstruction Report
Sequence of eventsConfirmation of statements throughAnalysisPhysical Evidence
EDRPhotographyScale DiagramLab AnalysisSlide34
The Reconstruction ReportA Technical Report
Opinion based on the totality of the information available at the timeTakes more time to completeSlide35
Criteria for Reconstruction
Every agency has there ownAs vague as what ever the Traffic Section Commanders wants doneAs broad as every thing that is not a single vehicle single occupants fatal crashAs specific as three or more fatalities, CMV, Transport conveyances of 15 passengers or more, Hazardous material transport, school buses, or government owned vehiclesSlide36
Do the lines blur between the two
Late death 30 day RuleLack of ResourcesSingle vehicle single occupant Other Reconstruction
Technical vs Full ReconstructionSlide37
Do the lines blur between the twoInformation gathered to allow for reconstruction at a later point
Peer ReviewSlide38
ACTAR
Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident ReconstructionMembers includePolice Officers EngineersAnd other from the reconstruction communitySlide39
ACTAR
1985 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Provided money to come up with guidelines for standardized training in the field of accident reconstructionTask force was formed which was made up of Accident Reconstructionists
EngineersPolice OfficersEducatorsAttorneysSlide40
ACTAR
In 1990 all the work paid off Slide41
ACTARPerson has shown a minimum level of proficiency by passing the accreditation test
Requires 80 hours of continuing education each five years of accreditation Slide42
Reconstruction Environment
Criminal
CivilSlide43
Criminal
Burden of proofBeyond Reasonable DoubtHighest standard used as the burden of proofT
here is no plausible reason to believe otherwiseSlide44
Criminal
Why the higher Burdon of Proof?The Cost is not only monetaryRemoval of Constitutions RightsRemoval of personal LibertyJail or PrisonSlide45
Civil
FaultWhat ifsAggravating and mitigating circumstancesSuccessful litigation equals money and sanctionsBurden of proof
Preponderance of the evidence, also known as balance of probabilities is the standard required in most civil caseThe standard is met if the proposition is more likely
to be true than not trueSlide46
REVIEW
What have you been given?Who Prepared it?For what Purpose?What do I need?Slide47
CONCLUSION
STARS Report vs ReconstructionApples vs OrangesInsert hand drawn vs total station drawingSlide48
Contact Information:
Brian O. Reeves417-343-6908brian2398@sbcglobal.net