NCJ Number
187810
Date Published
2001
Length
101 pages
Annotation
The majority of traffic accident investigators and reconstructionists are responsible for determining vehicle lamp status for "on" and "off" conditions at the time of a vehicle collision; this manual is designed to prepare these investigators and analysts to meet the high standard of performance and expertise necessary for fulfilling this responsibility.
Abstract
The first chapter is an introduction to lamp examination and analysis. It details the technical specifications of various types of lamps used in vehicle manufacture, including the filament lamp, fused silica or quartz glass halogen lamps, semi-sealed beam headlamps, high-intensity discharge lamps, and European lamps. Other topics discussed in this chapter are bulb shapes, lamp identification, filament and bulb operating temperatures, and softening points and working points of glass. The second chapter addresses tasks to be performed at the accident scene, with attention to evidence collection, lamp removal procedures, and packaging evidence for transport. The third chapter discusses lamp analysis for the purpose of determining whether the lamp was "on" or "off" at the time of the collision. Topics covered include new bulbs and filaments; normal wear and tear; filament deformation; tungsten filaments, age, and sag; burn out; cracked or broken bulbs; and electrical power source. The final chapter describes procedures for conducting hot and cold shock analysis. Chapter references, appended terms and definitions and the form for the vehicle lamp analysis record, and a subject index