Symposium on Traffic Safety
June 21-24, 2021

Advanced Investigative Techniques

• Airbag Control Module EEPROM Chip Swaps for the Retrieval of Electronic Crash Data - Destructive and Non-Destructive Methods

  - Jason Zeitler, Sr. Accident Reconstructionist, Luminous Forensics

  This session provides a chip swap overview and a methodology for the removal and reinstallation of a subject EEPROM chip using an exemplar ACM, as well as a non-destructive clip-assisted method to gain access to the subject electronic crash data without the requirement of removing the actual subject SOIC8 memory chip. Jason will explain what a chip swap is and when it can be useful to a case, how to locate and identify an EEPROM memory chip, conformal coating issues and how to remove it, proper evidence documentation, and surrogate anomalies.

• Airborne Vehicle Methodologies

  - Sergeant Weston Brown (Ret.), Scottsdale (AZ) Police Department

  An airborne vehicle sequence can allow for a very reliable source for speed calculations. We’ll discuss the background of uniform projectile motion and present you with a methodical algorithm for evidence collection. Examples of airborne testing will be presented and handed out to participants documenting the reliability of this methodology. A case study will demonstrate the application to a real-world 2nd degree murder case.

• Distracted Driving: Causes and Consequences

  - John D. Lloyd, Ph.D., BRAINS, Inc.

  Dr. Lloyd will share the physical, visual, and cognitive demands associated with the task of driving, why the human brain is not effective at multitasking, and recent statistics. He’ll explain the effects of distracted driving on perception response time (PRT) and share some of the successful enforcement and technological approaches to mitigate the effects of distracted driving.

• Interviewing Techniques for Traffic Crash Investigators

  - Detective John Odin (Ret.), Union County (NJ) Prosecutors Office

  In this session, Detective Odin will explore how the specific needs and nature of crash investigation lends itself to a systematic, prepared, and organized interview. He’ll discuss the analysis of the interview process, the role of the interviewer, the importance of listening and developing a systematic approach to the interview, and techniques of interpreting non-verbal responses (body language).

• It May Be Possible, But Is It Probable? (Monte Carlo)

  - Detective Ken Strohmeyer, Scottsdale (AZ) Police Department

  How can statistical analysis, specifically a Monte Carlo Analysis, assist the reconstructionist in dealing with the inaccuracies inherent in the measurements used in crash reconstruction? This session will provide a review/introduction to statistics and the Monte Carlo process. We’ll examine how and why to limit the ranges produced by the Monte Carlo Analysis and present case studies with Monte Carlo analysis.

• The Need, The Need for Weed: Cannabis Related Traffic Collisions

  - Investigator Dale B. Drummond, Beverly Hills (CA) Police Department

  Cannabis is becoming more readily available and has been legalized in several states. As we begin to see an increase in traffic collisions related to cannabis impairment, we must be competent and confident in our abilities to recognize impaired drivers. This session will include two cannabis-related traffic fatalities case studies and will focus on the correlating the effects of the cannabis-impaired driver and how to testify as an expert in these multi-dimensional investigations.

• Preservation of Crucial Evidence in Commercial Vehicle Crashes

  - Walter A. Dobson, IPTM Adjunct

  Walter Dobson will cover the challenges of preserving evidence (short and long term) in a commercial vehicle crash. He’ll share evidence collection methods and best practices for the crash environment, commercial vehicle driver, and the commercial vehicle. You’ll learn how to preserve ECM and other computer evidence, braking evidence, as well as how to move the vehicle without altering or destroying evidence.

Crash Testing

• Full Scale Crash Testing Through the Years

  - John Daily, MSME, Jackson Hole Scientific Investigations, Inc.

  This session will review prior crash testing and related data analysis conducted by IPTM and University of Tulsa's Crash Reconstruction Research Consortium (TUCRRC). In addition, we’ll discuss why crash testing is done, set up, safety precautions, what we can learn from each test.

• Live-Instrumented Crash Testing
  Wade Bartlett, P.E., Symposium Crash Team Coordinator, will lead IPTM’s team of renowned crash reconstructionists as they gather and analyze all the data from the staged crashes. They will present their findings and analyses during two identical breakout sessions on Thursday morning at 8am and 10:15am in Universal Center D. Special thanks to the following professionals for their contributions: Walt Dobson, Alan Moore, Rick Ruth, Russell Strickland, Brian West, Bill Wright, and Daniel Vomhof III. We also want to thank Kelle Sheehan’s Towing (West Palm Beach) for the donating the motorcycles and CTS Towing (Clearwater) for providing the cars. Full test data will be available after the conference.
• Post-Crash Data Analysis and Review (Crash Team)

  Wade Bartlett, P.E. and IPTM’s team of renowned crash reconstructionists will present their findings and analyses of the live, instrumented crash testing during two identical breakout sessions on Thursday morning at 8am and 10:15am in Universal Center D. Special thanks to the following professionals for their contributions: Walt Dobson, Alan Moore, Rick Ruth, Russell Strickland, Brian West, Bill Wright, and Daniel Vomhof III. 

EDR

• Accessing Toyota Vehicle Control History and Collision Avoidance Data

  - Richard Ruth, P.E., Ruth Consulting, LLC

  Toyota records additional data during sudden acceleration, hard brake, or collision avoidance events. The VCH data may have 6 samples per second vs the EDR's 2, and under some circumstances, pictures may be stored. Rick will explain how to access the data, show you how to get a short-term Toyota Information System software subscription, how to attach an interface to the laptop, run the software, and collect data. Then you’ll go outside and create a VCH and Collision Avoidance event on a Toyota vehicle, and take turns using the software to download and view the information available.

• Using EDR Delta-V to Calculate Closing Speed & Impact Speed - Advanced Concepts

  - Andrew Rich, BSME, Rich Consulting, LLC

  In this session, Andy Rich will demonstrate how to use EDR delta-V to calculate closing and impact speeds for cars with and without an EDR. He’ll discuss precautions and what to consider before using EDR delta-V, including how to adjust ground forces when analyzing a crash with a lighter vehicle such as a motorcycle. You’ll learn how to adjust for rotation due to eccentric collisions and how to account for restitution. A new method to adjust for EDRs that are not mounted at the center-of-mass will be demonstrated.

• EDR Update

  - Richard Ruth, P.E., Ruth Consulting, LLC

  This session will provide you with the latest updates to EDR equipment, software and the new data available. Rick Ruth will discuss known issues with hardware, software and data, and explain the latest updates to EDR access law, EDR regulations, and research supporting EDR data admissibility.

• Kawasaki EDR

  - Ed Fatzinger, P.E., Forensic Engineer, Momentum Engineering

  Ed Fatzinger will explore Kawasaki’s EDR model coverage and available data in this informative session. You’ll gain an understanding of how the data is triggered and stored. He’ll address issues of data recording associated with various types of power loss and provide an overview of recent research involving other manufactures.

New Technology

• Accurate Timing from Video: The Limitation of Variable Refresh Rates

  - Josh Guthrie, iNPUT-ACE

  There’s a misconception that the evidence generated by surveillance cameras can be easily used to calculate the speed of vehicles. Josh Guthrie, iNPUT-ACE, will provide a methodology walkthrough for calculating accurate timing information from surveillance cameras (taking into consideration variable refresh rates) and will share common pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate speed measurements from video.

• Capturing Data Using the UAV, GNSS, Scanner and Total Station Toolbox

  - Calvin Rikard, Applied Forensics Specialist, Duncan Parnell

  Calvin Rikard will explore the warnings to UAV data capture, share the benefits of using multiple tools for collection, and demonstrate how to prepare for the courtroom.

• Implementing a Drone Program for Crash Reconstruction: What You Need to Know

  - Mark DiCocco, Forensic Mapping Solutions

  Operating Drones (UAS) for crash and crime scene mapping requires a remote pilot certificate from the FAA (Part 107) or a COA (Public Safety Only). In this session you will learn the basics of starting/operating a UAS program, how to obtain a FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, register your UAS, obtain controlled airspace authorizations and waivers, obtain part 107 operational waivers (flying at night etc.), and airspace 101 - what you need to know. We’ll also discuss best practices for crash scene mapping using UAS.

• Time-Saving Techniques for Delivering High-Impact Scene Maps and Diagrams

  - William Henningsen, Forensic Mapper/Equipment Consultant/Public Safety, Collision Forensic Solutions

  From ultra-high-speed 3D laser scanning to high-resolution drone mapping and state-of-the-art GNSS and total station measurement, the time required on scene to shut down the roadway and record the evidence is a fraction of what it used to be. Mapping software has also improved, providing the ability to quickly pull all the data together to create clear, concise 2D and 3D deliverables. We’ll explore the wide range of technologies in use today, the standard best practices for court-ready drawings, and how to work faster while increasing the quality of your maps.

• Vehicle System Forensics

  - Wesley Vandiver, Berla Corporation

  Vehicle systems data has grown to be a common source of key evidence in investigations of all types. This session will provide the foundations of Vehicle System Forensics, the data available, the testing and validation of recovered data, and the next chapter in vehicle system forensics - network acquisitions. Examples of real-world investigations will also be presented.