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FIELD INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS (FROM INVESTIGATION OF ARSON, CRIME SCENES AND VEHICULAR PROBLEMS, 1976 BY WILLIAM G ECKERT - SEE NCJ-44516)

NCJ Number
44528
Author(s)
S ELLIOTT
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTIGATION OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND THE TECHNIQUES USED ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE INVESTIGATION OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IS USUALLY A VERY LOW PRIORITY IN MOST POLICE JURISDICTIONS, ALTHOUGH THE COST OF VEHICLE COLLISION IS VERY HIGH. INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT NO MORE THAN 16 PERCENT OF TRAFFIC INCIDENTS ARE ACCIDENTAL; THE REST ARE CAUSED BY SOME CRIMINAL ACT (INCLUDING TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS). VERY LITTLE TRAINING IS PROVIDED THE TRAFFIC INVESTIGATOR. AS A RESULT, MANY ASSAULTS AND SUICIDES COMMITTED USING A VEHICLE ARE OVERLOOKED BY OFFICERS UNTRAINED IN ANALYZING EVIDENCE. THE PROCEDURES IN A TRAFFIC INVESTIGATION ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF A FELONY INVESTIGATION: EVIDENCE GATHERING, DIAGRAMMING, PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION, RECORDING, AND INTERVIEWING OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES. LABORATORY SUPPORT IS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE SUCH FACTS AS WHETHER A HEADLIGHT WAS FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT. PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION IS ESSENTIAL BUT OFTEN OVERLOOKED. DRINKING DRIVER AWARENESS TRAINING IS RECOMMENDED FOR POLICE OFFICERS, TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS OF DETECTING DRUNK DRIVING BEHAVIOR AND BEING AWARE OF THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE BODY. OF THOSE KILLED ON THE HIGHWAYS, 50 PERCENT ARE KILLED BY DRUNK DRIVERS. FINALLY, THE ATTITUDE OF THE INVESTIGATOR IS CONSIDERED. HE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE LOSS OF AN AUTOMOBILE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MOST DRIVERS AND THAT THE RESULTS OF HIS INVESTIGATION HAVE A SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON THE OUTCOME OF LITIGATION. (VDA)