Symposium on Traffic Safety May 18-21, 2026

Crash Reconstruction Techniques

• Back to Basics: Formula and Calculations Review for the Crash Investigator (Mike Flamm)

  - Mike Flamm, Delta V. Innovations, Inc.

  This focused refresher is tailored for crash investigators aiming to strengthen their command of the core formulas and calculations essential to collision analysis. "Back to Basics" revisits key mathematical concepts and demonstrates their real-world application in crash reconstruction – covering topics such as speed-from-skid, time-distance analysis, momentum, and foundational energy principles. Whether you're reentering the field or refining your expertise, this session will deliver practical tools to support precise, evidence-based investigations.

• Beyond the Equation Book: Adding to Your Mathematical Toolbox (Kasey Marsland)

  - Detective Kasey Marsland, Tempe Police Department

  While equations may appear unsolvable without all variables, this session explores proven strategies for extracting meaningful insights despite missing information. You will examine techniques for solving systems of equations, leveraging graphical analysis to support conclusions, and applying statistical methods to speed analysis. Real-world case studies will illustrate how these approaches have delivered critical results in crash investigations, even when data seemed limited.

• C.O.L.M. and Energy Methods: Facts and Myths (John Daily)

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

  Students and practitioners in Traffic Crash Reconstruction often face the question: Should a scenario be analyzed using Conservation of Linear Momentum (COLM) or Energy Methods? This session will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about which approach – or combination of approaches – is best suited to the problem at hand. You will gain a deeper understanding of key concepts including impact speed, true speed, Kinetic Energy Equivalent Speed, Energy-Based Speed (EBS), and Delta-v. Through practical examples and case studies, the lecture will demonstrate how these methods are applied in real-world crash analyses.

• Calculating Lateral Displacement from Yaw and Lateral Acceleration in Lane Change Events (Weston Brown/Bjorn Houman)

  - Weston Brown, Bjorn Houman, Weston Forensic Collision Investigations

  As automotive manufacturers continue to expand the capabilities of modern Event Data Recorders (EDRs), collision reconstructionists now have unprecedented access to detailed precrash information. This session explores how newly available data elements – such as yaw rate, longitudinal and lateral acceleration recorded up to five seconds before impact – can be leveraged to enhance crash analysis. The focus will be on validating methods for determining lateral displacement prior to a collision using this data. Presenters will share experimental procedures and results, culminating in a case study that demonstrates the practical application of these techniques in a real-world crash scenario.

• Identification of Counterfeit Airbags During Crash Investigations (Thomas Nichols)

  - Thomas Nichols, Brand Protection Specialist, General Motors / Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2)

  Join experts from the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council (A2C2) – an alliance of 11 major vehicle manufacturers – for a vital training session on identifying counterfeit airbags during traffic crash investigations. These dangerous components have been linked to severe injuries and fatalities, and are frequently discovered in aftermarket sales and used vehicles. This session will equip first responders, law enforcement, crash investigators, and prosecutors with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize counterfeit airbags, supported by detailed identification techniques and real-world examples.

• Math and Physics Behind Collision Reconstruction Equations: Where They Come from and Using Computer Simulations for Verification (Jose Granda)

  - Jose J. Granda, PhD, Professor Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Sacramento

  Gain a solid grasp of the physics that drive collision reconstruction formulas. This session covers the origins of key equations and the principles behind them, including Newton’s laws, time-distance relationships, skid-to-stop calculations, drag factors, and critical speed formulas. Explore airborne motion, work and energy, momentum, and impulse theory using calculator-friendly techniques. Visuals and case studies bring concepts like Delta-V, impact velocity, and PDOF to life, with verification through simulations.

• The Power of Presence: Building Courtroom Confidence (Mike Catalano)

  - Mike Catalano, Consultant, Trainer, Author

  Testifying in court requires more than technical expertise – it demands poise, clarity, and confidence under pressure. This session equips crash reconstruction professionals with the tools to present effectively and credibly in legal proceedings. Learn how to project confidence and composure, harness your strengths, manage stress and anxiety, and apply practical coping strategies to stay focused and resilient. Whether you're preparing for deposition or trial, this session will help you deliver testimony that is both persuasive and professional.

• The Tire Evidence You Need to Collect (T.J. Tennent)

  - T.J. Tennent, President, Tennent, Winkelman and Associates

  Tire marks can tell a powerful story, if you know what to look for. This session guides investigators through the essential tire evidence to collect at a crash scene, the critical photographs to take, and how to evaluate whether the evidence is accurate and reliable. Learn how to distinguish meaningful marks from misleading ones, and gain confidence in documenting and interpreting tire-related data that can make or break a case.

• Vehicle Systems Forensics: When Cars Talk (Wesley Vandiver)

  - Wesley Vandiver, Director of Training, Berla Corporation

  Modern vehicles are packed with digital evidence – and this session shows you how to access it. Go beyond traditional crash data and discover how today’s vehicle systems reveal critical insights like historical locations, speed profiles, gear shifts, door activity, and even data from connected devices. Learn the latest acquisition techniques and see how this information has transformed real-world investigations. Whether you're new to vehicle data or already familiar with the technology, you'll get up-to-date coverage on expanded support for new models and systems. If you're ready to take your crash analysis to the next level, this session is a must-attend.

• Video Motion Analysis in Crash Reconstruction (Anthony Fairbanks)

  - Anthony M. Fairbanks, Delta V. Innovations, Inc.

  Discover how to extract vital speed information from video footage, identify key metadata, and utilize advanced crash scene diagramming techniques. Experience hands-on demonstrations of video motion analysis software and learn to combine video data with essential time and speed equations. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your investigative toolkit and gain practical skills you can apply immediately.

Crash Scene Documentation

• Forensic Alternate Light Source Use in Pedestrian Crash Reconstruction (Mark DiCocco)

  - Mark DiCocco, MS, ACTAR, University of New Haven

  Discover how forensic ALS technology enhances pedestrian crash investigations by revealing evidence often missed under standard lighting. Learn how ALS can be adapted for field use to detect and document critical evidence such as biological traces, latent footwear impressions, fibers, and vehicle-to-clothing transfers. In nighttime crashes, ALS helps uncover impact marks, ground contact evidence, and sliding/tumbling phase transfers – providing clearer, more accurate reconstructions.

• UAS Crime Scene Videography (Gerald Baum)

  - Detective Gerald P. Baum, Dallas Police Department

  UAS Crime Scene Videography, pioneered by Detective Baum of the Dallas Police Department, is transforming how investigators capture and present evidence. With over 300 real-world case applications, this accessible and affordable aerial video method delivers powerful visual insights that improve investigative results and make an impact in court. Join us to see this cutting-edge technology in action and connect with industry leaders driving innovation.

EDR

• Beyond EDR: Tesla's Data Sources, Analysis Methods, and Testing (Sundar Raman Nagarajan)

  - Sundar Raman Nagarajan, Automotive Collision Engineer, Forensic Rock

  Crash reconstruction is evolving with high-resolution data and advanced analytics. This session explores how Tesla’s octa-cam video system and vehicle logs offer a detailed, objective view of collisions. Learn how to interpret this data, assess ADAS engagement at impact, and apply insights from controlled performance testing. Through compelling case studies, attendees will gain practical tools to enhance crash analysis using the latest technology.

• EDR Case Studies (Andrew Rich)

  - Andrew Rich, Rich Consulting LLC

  This session will demonstrate how Event Data Recorder (EDR) data integrates into full-scale crash reconstructions. Through real-world case studies, attendees will see how EDR insights—such as speed, braking, and steering inputs—enhance the accuracy and depth of crash analysis.

• EDR in Traffic Crash Reconstruction Update (Hamed Sadrnia)

  - Hamed Sadrnia, Engineering Consultant, Sadrnia Consulting

  This session reviews the current state of Event Data Recorder (EDR) use in traffic crash reconstruction, highlighting key changes in access, coverage, and analysis since the last symposium. Attendees will gain insights into manufacturer-specific developments, regulatory updates, and the evolving status of CDR2, offering a comprehensive look at where EDR technology stands today and where it’s headed.

• Recovering Crash Data from Damaged EDRs: Applied, Theoretical, and Experimental Methods (Jason Zeitler)

  - Jason Zeitler, Senior Investigator and Engineer, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

  This session delves into cutting-edge techniques for retrieving crash data from severely damaged or fire-exposed passenger vehicle Event Data Recorders (EDRs) – even when modules are unreadable by conventional methods. Drawing from real-world casework, it bridges chip-level forensics with emerging approaches like direct memory extraction. Attendees will explore the evolving science behind EDR recovery, its role in collision reconstruction, legal proceedings, and future tool development. Ideal for forensic engineers, law enforcement, and crash investigators seeking to understand the full potential of modern crash data recovery from passenger vehicle EDRs.

Human Factors

• Biomechanical Investigation of Injuries with and Without Helmet Usage (Valentina Ngai)

  - Valentina Ngai, Biomechanical Engineer, Robson Forensic

  Traumatic injuries result from specific forces acting on the body. In this session, Dr. Ngai explains how biomechanical engineers analyze motion and forces in collisions using physics and engineering principles to determine whether an event caused diagnosed injuries. You’ll learn how understanding tissue properties and failure modes informs these investigations and explore the role helmets play in mitigating – but not eliminating – injuries. The discussion also covers the key information needed to conduct a thorough biomechanical analysis.

• Conducting a Time/Distance Analysis for Driver Responses; Path Intrusions (Tim Maloney)

  - Timothy Maloney, Driver Research Institute

  This session offers a step-by-step guide to calculating a driver’s Perception-Response Time (PRT) and comparing it to established research baselines for similar crash types. You will learn how to interpret PRT data and apply it to a Time and Distance analysis – mapping the positions and movements of involved parties leading up to impact. This practical approach provides deeper insight into driver behavior and collision dynamics, making it a valuable tool for reconstruction professionals.

• Everything about Speed and Human Factors (Swaroop Dinaker)

  - Swaroop Dinaker, Driver Research Institute

  This session explores how environmental and external factors shape the speed choices of drivers and pedestrians. From acceleration patterns to behavior in work zones, we’ll examine how speed influences crash risk across varied scenarios. Attendees will gain baseline insights into typical driver responses and learn how to assess the role of speed in crash outcomes – equipping them with practical tools for more informed reconstructions.

• Forensic Visibility Analysis (Daniel Billington)

  - Daniel Billington, Great Lakes Forensic Experts

  Visibility plays a critical role in understanding crash dynamics. This session explores techniques for conducting thorough visibility analyses, including conspicuity assessments, data collection strategies, software-based modeling, and exhibit preparation. Attendees will gain practical insights into how visibility factors influence driver perception and crash outcomes – essential knowledge for building accurate, defensible reconstructions.

• Head-On Hazards: Why Traditional Response Time Assumptions Fail (Jeff Muttart)

  - Jeff Muttart, Ph.D., Driver Research Institute

  Unlike most emergencies, head-on conflicts follow a stimulus–wait–response pattern, with Time to Contact (TTC) playing a critical role in driver behavior. This session presents findings from naturalistic and simulator data showing that drivers often delay braking—even when TTC exceeds 2 seconds—and may apply brakes less than half a second before impact. These insights offer valuable benchmarks for comparing human drivers with automated vehicles (AVs) and underscore the need for conflict-specific models in crash reconstruction, driver assessment, and AV system design.

• Occupant Kinematics in Rollover Crashes (Toby Gloekler)

  - Toby L. Gloekler, P.E., ACTAR, IPTM Adjunct Faculty, CRE, Inc.

  This breakout session covers essential techniques for analyzing vehicle rollover collisions, including scene documentation, identifying rollover causes, and calculating speed, direction, and angular acceleration. Attendees will explore occupant kinematics – evaluating restraint system effectiveness, ejection portals, and final positions-of-rest. Real-world case studies and computer modeling will illustrate occupant motion and crash dynamics. Designed for investigators at all experience levels, this session offers practical tools and insights for reconstructing complex rollover events.

• Were They Belted? Occupant Restraint Safety Systems (Cameron Trepeck)

  - Cameron Trepeck, PhD, PE, ACTAR, Quality Forensic Engineering

  This session explores the latest methodologies for analyzing occupant restraint systems, with a focus on determining seatbelt usage in motor vehicle crashes. Attendees will learn how to identify key evidences – such as rub-off and witness marks – and understand occupant movement across various collision orientations. Supported by published research and real-world case studies, this presentation equips investigators and reconstructionists with the tools to document seatbelt use accurately and assess its role in the sequence of crash events.

Crash Testing

• Instrumented Crash Testing

  Off-site crash testing will take place on Monday afternoon. Details to follow.

• Post-Crash Data Analysis and Review

  Our team of reconstructionists will present an in-depth analysis of the crash tests conducted on Monday afternoon in two identical sessions on Thursday.