NCJ Number
201237
Date Published
2003
Length
157 pages
Annotation
This manual offers traffic accident investigators and reconstructionists detailed information on the various types of situations requiring measurements that can be encountered during an on-scene investigation.
Abstract
Traffic accident investigators must, in addition to many other requirements at a scene, decide what to measure and how best to complete those measurements. This second edition of Traffic Accident Investigators’ and Reconstructionists’ Field Measurements and Scale Diagrams Manual was designed to assist in the everyday field requirements of traffic accident investigators and reconstructionists responsible for obtaining and documenting measurements at traffic crash scenes and those responsible for preparing follow-up plan or scale drawings from the gathered measurements. The manual provides information on several types of situations needing measurements encountered during the on-scene investigation. Several examples follow on how to take and document measurements, as well as potential solutions to problems. The manual is divided into six chapters: (1) introduction to field measurements and scale diagrams; (2) the accident; (3) measuring and recording methods; (4) angles; (5) circles and curves; and (6) horizontal and vertical measurements. In addition, examples are provided on how to take and document measurements. These examples are followed by possible solutions to problems. However, several new and innovative methods for measuring and preparing scale diagrams are inaccessible to many departments and individual investigators due to the expense of these methods. This manual was created with the understanding that many continue to use the usual tape measure and hands-on methods. Appendices and graphs