BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION AND ORIENTATION a. Course expectation and outline

II. COLLISION INVESTIGATION REPORTING PROCEDURE a. Parties Statements i. Locating and identifying the parties involved in the collision. ii. Obtaining statements regarding the collision. 1. Determine location, direction, and speed for each party. iii. Obtaining trip history for major injury and fatal collisions. b. Witness Statements i. Locating and identifying witnesses. ii. Determine the location of the witnesses. iii. Obtain location, direction, and speed for the parties Involved in the collision. iv. Identify the drivers of the vehicles. c. Determining the point of impact i. Dirt and debris on the roadway ii. Directional change of skid iii. Fluid on the roadway iv. Parties or witnesses locating the point of impact v. Auto vs. Pedestrian Collision 1. Shoe or clothing marks on the roadway 2. Eye glasses or hat on the roadway a. Show video on Auto vs. Pedestrian Collision From Texas A&M vi. Fixed objects vii. Multiple points of impact d. Scene Description i. Single Roadway ii. Intersection Collisions iii. Multiple intersection collisions 1. Working in clockwise or counter clockwise direction iv. Roadway conditions 1. Hazards 2. Construction Zones 3. Weather Conditions e. Physical Evidence i. Photographing the collision scene 1. Taking photographs from different angles and directions. 2. Using flash photography and painting with light. f. Details of the Report i. Putting the investigation together 1. A collision is a puzzle, the more pieces you have the easier it is to put it together. 2. Obtaining weather conditions for fatal and major injury collisions. 3. Including the Driving Under the Influence Investigation. g. Conclusions and Actions i. Discussion on ending the report and indicating the Primary Collision Factor.

BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

III. ACCIDENT-RELATED TRAFFIC LAWS a. Introduction to Traffic Enforcement i. The Goal ii. Attitudes toward Traffic Enforcement iii. Importance iv. Peace Officer’s Role b. Vehicle Code Terminology i. Definitions 1. Alley 2. Crosswalk 3. Darkness 4. Freeway 5. Highway 6. Intersections 7. Limit Line 8. Roadway 9. Sidewalk 10. Street 11. Vehicle c. Vehicle Registration Violations i. VC 4000a Vehicle Registration ii. VC 4462b False Tabs/License Plates iii. VC 4454a Registration Card in Vehicle iv. VC 4457 Tabs Unreadable/Faded v. VC 4000.4a Out of State Vehicles needing CA Registration d. Drivers License Violations i. VC 125000a-d Classification ii. VC 12511 Possession of more than one valid License iii. VC 12951a, b Possession of Driver’s License iv. VC 12505c California Residency or Employment v. VC 14601.1a Suspended Drivers License vi. VC 14603 Violation of License Restrictions vii. VC 14607 Adult allowing Unlicensed Minor to drive e. Stop Violations i. VC 22450 Stop Sign Violation ii. VC 22451b Railroad Crossing gate iii. VC 22454a School Bus Stops f. Red Signal Light Violations i. VC 21453a, c, d Red Signal, Red Arrow, Red Light (Pedestrian) ii. VC 21457a Flashing Red Signal iii. VC 21800d-1 Signal Lights Out / Inoperative g. Violations of Traffic Controls and Devices i. Definitions 1. Official Traffic Control Signal 2. Official Traffic Control Device ii. VC 21461a Failure to Obey Posted Signs h. Passing Violations i. VC 21460a Double Solid Yellow Lines BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

ii. VC 21460.5c Two Way Left Turn Lane (200 feet) iii. VC 21650 Driving on the wrong side of the Road iv. VC 21651a Driving on, over, or across Divided Highway v. VC 21755 Unsafe Passing on the Right vi. VC 21658a Unsafe Lane Change / Straddling vii. VC 21657 Wrong Way on One Way Street i. Speed Violations i. Prima Facia Speed Limits – VC 22352a, b 1. 15 mph Speed Limit a. Blind Intersections (Uncontrolled) b. Alley ways 2. 25 mph Speed Limit a. School zone b. Business or Residential Districts ii. VC 22350 Unsafe Speed for Conditions iii. VC 22348a Excess 100 mph iv. VC 22349a Excess 65 mph v. VC 22349b Excess 55 mph vi. VC 22356b Excess 70 mph vii. VC 22400a Impeding Traffic j. Right of Way Violations (Emergency Vehicles) i. VC 21800a First Vehicle at Uncontrolled Intersection ii. VC 21801a Left or U-turn at Intersection iii. VC21802a Yielding after Stopping at Stop Sign/Flashing Signal iv. VC 21804a Entering Roadway from Public/Private Property/Alley v. VC 21806a Fail to Yield to Emergency Vehicle k. Pedestrian Violations i. VC 21950a Driver Must Yield to Pedestrian in Marked/Unmarked Crosswalk ii. VC 21951 Passing Vehicle Stopped for Pedestrian Crossing Roadway iii. VC 21954a Pedestrian Outside of Crosswalk iv. VC 21955 Jaywalking v. VC 21461.5 Pedestrian Failure to Obey Signs or Markings l. Turning Violations i. VC 22100a, b Position for Turns ii. VC 22101d Required Turns at Intersection iii. VC 22107 Unsafe Movements Left or Right iv. VC 22108 Turning without Signaling (100 feet) v. VC 22102 U - Turn in Business District vi. VC 22106 Unsafe Backing m. Vehicle Code Public Offenses i. VC 23103a Reckless Driving (m) ii. VC 23109a Speed Contest/Drag Racing (m) iii. VC 23110a Throwing Objects at a Motor Vehicle (m/f) iv. VC 23111 Throwing Lighted/Unlighted Cigarette from Vehicle n. Failure to Obey a Lawful Order from a Peace Officer i. VC 2800a Failure to Obey Traffic Officer ii. VC 2800.1, VC 2800.2, VC 2800.3 Evading a Peace Officer iii. VC 2818 Crossing Over/Driving around Cone or Flare Patterns BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

o. Equipment Violations i. Lighting Violations 1. VC 22450 Driving Without Lights after Darkness 2. VC 22452a Maintain Lighting Equipment in Working Order 3. VC 22400 Headlamp Out/Not Working 4. VC 24409a Failure to Dim High Beams (500 feet approaching) 5. VC 24409b Failure to Dim High Beams (300 feet Overtaking) 6. VC 24600b Tail lamps 7. VC 24601 License Plate Lamp 8. VC 24603b Break lamps 9. VC 26101 Modified Lighting Equipment ii. Exhaust Equipment 1. VC 27151 Modified Exhaust (Increase Noise) 2. VC 27153 Excessive Smoke 3. VC 27155 No Gas Cap iii. Other Required Equipment 1. VC 27600 Fenders/Mudguards 2. VC 26700a Windshield Required in Passenger Vehicle 3. VC 26709a Rearview Mirrors (Two Required) 4. VC 26710 Defective Windshield (48 hours) iv. Unsafe Vehicles 1. VC 24002a Unsafe Vehicle or Load 2. VC 24004 Unlawful Operation after Notice Given by Officer 3. VC 24008 Low Ride Vehicle 4. VC 2400.5a Vehicle to High v. Unrestrained Occupants in a Motor Vehicle 1. VC 27315d Seatbelt 2. VC 27360a Child Seat (Parent or Legal Guardian) 3. VC 27360b Child Seat (Other than Parent or Legal Guardian) 4. VC 27360.5a Seatbelt Violation (under 4, over 16) 5. VC 27360.5b Seatbelt Violation (same as above when Parent or Legal Guardian not Present) 6. VC 21712a Driver Allow Unlawful Rider 7. VC 21712b Unlawful Rider 8. VC 23116a Driver Allow Passenger in Truck Bed 9. VC 23116b Passenger in Truck Bed vi. Legal Authority to Remove Vehicles from Roadway 1. VC 22651 Peace Officer or Authorized Employee may remove Vehicles for the following reasons 2. Most Common Sections Used a. VC 22651o1 Expire Registration over Six (6) Months b. VC 22651p Unlicensed Driver (Expired) c. VC 22651h1 Person in Charge of Vehicle Arrested d. VC 14602.6 Authority for Thirty (30) Day Impound/Hold IV. Accident Investigation Procedures a. What is an accident or collision? i. An unintended event involving a vehicle or bicycle, causing damage, death, or injury which occurs on public or private property. BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

b. Why do we investigate collisions? i. Protect Life ii. Protect collision scene iii. Protect possible iv. Perform investigation tasks v. Complete traffic collision documentation vi. City liability c. Why do we document collisions? i. Department policy ii. State mandated (SWITRS) iii. Determine criminal or civil action 1. Negligence and Fault iv. Prevention 1. Determine problem areas 2. Formulate reports to suggest means and methods to prevent occurrences d. Discussion: i. The officers first arrival at the scene of a collision: 1. Check for injured / provide medical aid. 2. Traffic control. 3. Identify parties involved and witnesses. 4. Locate physical evidence. ii. Securing the collision scene: 1. Using cones, flares, and crime scene tape. 2. Traffic control. (equipment, personnel) 3. Identifying and marking evidence: 4. Open discussion regarding accident scenes: e. What collisions do we document? i. FATAL ii. INJURY iii. NON-INJURY iv. HIT AND RUN v. D.U.I. ARRESTS vi. CITY PROPERTY vii. GOVERNMENT VEHICLES viii. EMERGENCY VEHICLES ix. SCHOOL BUSES f. What is SWITRS i. STATE WIDE INTEGRATED TRAFFIC RECORDS SYSTEM (SWITRS) 1. The Highway Safety Act of 1966 gave rise to California’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). 2. California Highway Patrol’s (CHP), Information Management Division took the lead in developing SWITRS as a means to collect and process data elements from a collision scene. 3. SWITRS a. California Vehicle Code Section 20008 requires that all law enforcement agencies forward a copy of every traffic collision report involving injury or death. BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

4. SWITRS a. The data collection tools and methods must be uniform to produce meaningful statistics. b. The Long Form Report (CHP 555) is the standard reporting tool the Bakersfield Police Department uses to report statistic to the State. 5. SWITRS a. The method and procedure for collecting and submitting the data elements of a collision are published in the Collision Investigation Manual (CIM). V. Skidmarks/Tiremarks Identification a. Skidmarks i. A mark left on the road surface, or any surface, by a wheel in a skid. The term “skidmark” includes all evidence of skidding, such as scuffing of a concrete road surface, even if no rubber is left behind. b. Impending i. Wheel rotating slower than forward motion of the vehicle. ii. Wheels are just about to cease rotating. iii. Most effective type of breaking. iv. Usually leads directly to the locked wheel skid markings. v. Leaves minute particles of rubber that usually disappear within the first 15 – 30 minutes. vi. Measure separately and include in overall length of a locked wheel skid. c. Locked Wheel i. Non-rotating wheel moving in a straight or curved line in the original direction of travel. ii. Curved skid is caused by crown in the roadway or steering. iii. Front wheel skid is darker than rear because of weight transfer. iv. Front wheel skid is wider than rear because of weight transfer. d. Side Skid i. A locked, braked, or rotating wheel of a vehicle sliding in other than a forward direction. ii. Wider than a locked wheel skid mark. e. Critical Speed Scuffs i. Rotating wheel of a vehicle rounding a curve or turning at such a speed that centrifugal force entirely or partially overcomes frictional resistance. f. Curved i. The smaller the arch, the faster the speed. ii. Front mark darker than the rear tire mark. iii. Lighter and narrower at beginning. iv. Striation marks are oblique to scuff. v. Outside rear tire mark is tracking outside the corresponding front tire. vi. Measure, outside to outside using the front tire and a 25 – 75 foot cord. vii. Measure mid-ordinate. g. Skip Skid i. A skid mark that will have short gaps, usually 3 feet or less, between otherwise ii. continuous locked wheel Skidmarks. BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

iii. Usually caused by bouncing . iv. Should be included in the overall skid mark measurement. h. Gap Skid i. Skidmarks in which there exists a gap of 10 feet or more between locked wheels segments, which is caused by releasing, and reapplying the brakes. ii. Each locked wheel segment is measured, added, and the total is used for speed computation. iii. Gaps are not included as is the case with skip skids. i. Acceleration scuffs or marks i. Caused when the torque generated by the engine results in positive acceleration and exceeds the of the tire and surface efficiency. ii. Scuff starts out dark and then becomes lighter. iii. Irregular at the beginning of the mark. j. Collision Scrub i. Is a short, usually broad skidmark made during engagement of the vehicles in a collision? k. Gouge Marks i. The marks produced when a protruding metal part of a vehicle digs into the pavement. l. Scrape Marks i. A broad area of a surface covered with many scratches or striations made by a sliding object passing over that surface without great pressure. 1. For example: a. an overturned vehicle sliding on its side or top b. a motorcycle or bicycle sliding on its side m. Measuring Devices / Techniques i. Pace 1. Inaccurate 2. Need to know own pace length ii. Rolatape 1. Good for long distances 2. Tape must be checked for accuracy 3. Factors causing inaccuracy a. Operator error b. Line of path c. Measured surface iii. Tape measures 1. Various types a. Steel b. Plastic c. Cloth d. Fiberglass e. Inches vs decimal 2. Various lengths n. Drag Factor i. Ratio between the horizontal and vertical forces acting on the object while it is in motion. BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

ii. Represents the acceleration or deceleration of a vehicle as a decimal fraction of gravity. iii. It doesn’t matter how the vehicle slows (or speeds up.) iv. It could be rolling to a stop, sliding to a stop, or it could be a combination of rolling and sliding. v. It simply represents the rate at which the vehicle slows or speeds up. vi. Used to calculate the minimum initial speed of the vehicle. o. Determine Drag Factor i. Test skids ii. Drag sled iii. Available reference materials iv. Engineering data v. The simplest way to estimate the minimum initial speed of a vehicle traveling on a dry, level, hard surfaced pavement is to arbitrarily assign a coefficient of friction of 60%. This is a safe minimum. p. Exercise Calculating speed from Skid i. Skid - Speed Chart (CHP 185) ii. V = 30df iii. Skidmark practical exercise at Airport. VI. Diagramming a. Discussion: i. Traffic templates and symbols: 1. Identifying basic symbols in scene diagramming. 2. Plotting the area of impact on a scene diagram. ii. Setting up the drawing page: 1. Utilizing page 2 of the chp 555 form for a sketch. 2. Utilizing an additional page for a sketch. iii. Station lines: 1. How the station line is determined. 2. Obtaining measurements for the collision. 3. Station Line exercise at the Airport. iv. Open discussion regarding scene diagramming VII. Physical Evidence a. Paint transfer

b. Corresponding damage

c. Pedestrian clothing

d. Fiber transfer

e. Hair and tissue transfer

f. Taking photographs of the scene. Different angles, directions and scene totality

g. Flash vs no flash

VIII. Vehicle Factors BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

a. Overall inspection of damage (exterior) i. List damage to each body part. 1. Segment into what types of damage. a. Contact b. Induced c. Secondary impact ii. Tires and wheels 1. List brand, model, type, size, tread depth, psi (pounds per Square in.) 2. Note damage to tires, i.e. Impact flattened, cut, broken valve System, separated broken head. 3. Note damage to wheels, i.e. Dented rim. 4. Is tire or wheel proper for the vehicle? iii. Lighting and electrics 1. Check if headlight, turn signals, stop lamps are operable, (if Applicable.) a. Look for types of damage. Broken or cracked bulb. b. Any possible signs of hot shock, (if filaments intact.) c. If fatal, manslaughter case, or emergency vehicle do not apply voltage to lighting elements. i. Independent inspection must be made to prevent Destruction or contamination of evidence. 2. Check other electrical (note switch positions) a. Radio b. Heater c. A/c d. Defroster e. Cellular phone, g.p.s. b. Inspect interior of vehicle. i. Steering wheel (damage) ii. Instrument gauges and positions iii. Inner windshield 1. (hair, tissue, serological fluids) 2. Spider web cracking, bulges iv. Other damaged components 1. Gear shift lever 2. Turn signal arm 3. Dash board, consoles, etc. 4. Seats v. Air bags, deployed or not. vi. Safety belt and shoulder harnesses 1. Stretching 2. Abrasions 3. Positions and condition 4. Operable? a. Retractor working b. Male to female clasp operable c. If belt is sensitive does pendulum work to stop movement of belt? d. Does occupant injury support the use of the restraint? BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

5. Child safety and infant seats a. Proper seat for occupant b. Proper seating position for occupant c. Position of cargo i. Fluids such as open containers, alcohol, seize when applicable. ii. Food iii. Other loose or disturbed objects d. Photograph when possible and applicable e. Braking systems i. Determine what type 1. 4 wheel drum 2. Front disk, rear drum 3. 4 wheel disk 4. Front disk, rear drums abs 5. 4 wheel disk abs 6. Electro magnetic (trailers) 7. Air brakes (heavy commercial vehicles) ii. Check components to determine if operable 1. Depress brake pedal a. Resistance with steady pressure? b. Check mechanical emergency brake if operable. f. Steering mechanism i. Resistance? ii. Discern type of cause iii. Result of damage? iv. Mechanical failure? IX. Human Factor a. Party identification i. License status ii. Distraction iii. Under the influence iv. Corrective lenses b. Witness identification i. Determine location of witness ii. Did they hear or see the collision iii. How many witnesses are needed iv. Identify the drivers involved c. Determine location and direction X. Driving Under the influence a. Be sure to check all involved parties for being under the influence or alcohol or a controlled substance b. If Party #1 is under the influence the PCF will always be Driving under the influence c. Slow down your investigation if someone is possibly DUI i. First step is confirming who was driving with more than an admission ii. Get witnesses of who was driving iii. Check seat position iv. Keys in the drivers pocket v. Is the driver the RO BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

d. If you determine a party is under the influence, work as a team and divide the collision and DUI investigation among responding officers e. Asking all of the probable field interview questions even if the DUI person is injured will help the case. Start with those if you suspect possible DUI f. Find a safe area and begin SFST’s as soon as practicable i. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus--- 1. This can be done on a person who is lying down 2. May not be effective if person has head injury ii. Walk and turn—may not be able to perform if injured iii. One Leg Stand—may not be able to perform if injured iv. PAS— CVC 23612(i) 1. Be sure to wait 15 minutes 2. Very critical to obtain two samples correctly in case the person is given medications by medics or hospital staff prior to obtaining a legal blood sample 3. If you can’t obtain a full breath sample for the PAS don’t be worried to use the manual button to obtain a small sample to confirm or deny your suspicions g. DUI investigations, when a collision is involved, can be unique and require you to gather enough probable cause for an arrest without all the SFST’s. i. Things to remember: 1. Was the possible DUI driver at fault? 2. Did they likely commit a CVC violation causing the collision? 3. Was their driving reckless 4. Do you have an odor of alcohol? 5. Are their eyes red/watery/glassy? 6. Empty bottles of alcohol in the vehicle? ii. Gathering enough probable cause may be done different than a regular DUI investigation iii. CVC 23612 provides the justification for obtaining a blood or breath sample 1. Per CVC 23612(a)(3), states that a person taken directly to the hospital for a medial need may only be given the option of a blood test if only that person is arrested for the offense of CVC 23140, 23152 or23153 h. If party-1 is DUI and any other person is injured at all, (i.e. complaint of pain) Party-1 should be booked for felony DUI. CVC 23153 but your PCF is still 23152 XI. Hit and Run a. Felony and misdemeanor sections i. CVC 20002(a) Misdemeanor 1. Read section and discuss ii. CVC 20001(a) Felony hit and run 1. Read section and discuss b. Probable motives for fleeing scene. i. Intoxicated driver/occupants. (vc23152 (a) ii. Driver is unlicensed, suspended license, expired iii. License. (vc 12500a) (vc 14601.1a) iv. Lack of insurance (vc 16028 (c)) v. Driver panics, over-reacts, under-reacts to Incident c. Collection of evidence BASIC COLLISION INVESTIGATIONCOURSE OUTLINE

i. Paint transfer ii. Corresponding damage iii. Pedestrian clothing iv. Fiber transfer v. Hair and tissue transfer d. Documentation requirements i. Measurements correlation victim vehicle to suspect vehicle. ii. Correlating damage to knowledge of offense. 1. Identification and location of suspects. 2. Witness information. (home, c-ph, work #) 3. Area search 4. Hospital and auto shop search. 5. Information from vehicle. a. Prints b. Registration c. Paperwork from vehicle. (receipts, bills, etc.) d. Blood e. Identification. (cdi, cic, check cashing cards, ssn cards) XII. Courtroom preparation and testimony a. Know your case b. Have a traffic expert review case and look for issues c. Discuss case with DA, looking for possible issues d. If proposed a question outside of your realm of knowledge, understand your limitations XIII. Practical exercise a. Complete CHP 555 i. Explain each box per the CIM b. Complete diagram i. Use station line to measure scene c. Use scene to take photo graphs XIV. Final Exam