Tools

IDR Analysis

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Incident Data Recorders

A number of vehicles are fitted with specialist incident data recorders which are designed to record aspect of vehicle movement.

Whether these are fitted to an emergency service vehicle or used as a fleet management tool, FCIR are often able to use the information contained in such devices to provide detailed analysis of events leading to a collision along with the impact itself.

Data from ‘Black Boxes’ fitted to vehicles for insurance purposes can also be analysed. FCIR are experienced in the analysis of such data and have demonstrated in the past the reliability of some such domestic systems.

If you have such data and would like a preliminary view, please contact us.

CCTV Analysis

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

CCTV Analysis

CCTV is becoming routinely available, be that static cameras from a council, shop or premises, or vehicle mounted cameras ('dash cams').

CCTV footage is an essential piece of evidence to obtain and can be scientifically analysed far beyond simply ‘seeing what happened on camera’. This involves meticulous attention to detail and accurate utilisation of specialist skills.

FCIR are routinely called upon to calculate a vehicle's speed or to position a large goods vehicle and a pedal cycle to establish what could be seen in the mirrors. Time and time again, FCIR have reached a conclusion that has greatly assisted the Courts, and routinely receive exceptional feedback on their ability to achieve scientific conclusions not seen before.

FCIR are pioneers of CCTV analysis and have published the book “CCTV Analysis in Collision Reconstruction”. This allows FCIR to obtain vehicle speeds and orientations when many others are unable to reach conclusions, or worse still take the footage at face value.

It is research such as this that means that our Consultants were called upon, and were instrumental in the design and development of the Frame Interval Timer constructed by the Home Office, a piece of equipment colloquially known as a 'Lightboard' and routinely used by the Police to precisely establish CCTV timing. FCIR have also played a key role in the design and implementation of software designed to automatically 'read' this device to a high degree of accuracy.

If you have a matter involving CCTV, we would be more than happy to give you our opinion of what an analysis is likely to reveal. Please contact us.

Verification of Reports

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Verification of Reports

The study of reports written by other experts is routine for FCIR.

We offer two bespoke services in this regard; firstly, for Police or other experts deploying specialist skills where we check the contents for scientific accuracy and provide our endorsement.

The second service we provide is to analyse a report for Solicitors or the instructing party to provide feedback and identify any inaccuracies or errors. This may be because you have concerns of your own regarding the quality of the analysis presented by the opposing side, or to consider additional points and circumstances not touched upon in the report presented.

FCIR will happily discuss your requirements, or guide you on the best way to proceed - please contact us.

Light Bulb & Component Analysis

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Light Bulb & Component Analysis

Whilst such analyses can be conducted using a low powered microscope to only 10 to 50x magnification, FCIR can use high powered optical microscopes and/or a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to obtain images with up to 10,000x magnification. This also allows the fracture surface to be analysed to accurately obtain the method of failure.

These techniques can be applied to virtually all components within a vehicle to see if there was a pre-existing defect, or that a failure occurred as a result of a collision.

If you have a matter where you are unsure if you require such an analysis, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss it with you.

Tachographs

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Tachographs

By way of legislation, nearly all large goods vehicles contain a Tachograph.

A tachograph is a device fitted that records the vehicle's hours of operation, distance travelled and speed. Data from these devices, be that analogue or digital, can be analysed by FCIR.

This can truly unlock the events leading up to the collision.

If you would like a tachograph analysis, please contact us.

Expert Training

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Expert Training

FCIR design bespoke training for Police, Solicitors and Private practitioners.

This includes specific areas of Collision Investigation from CCTV to Yaw Mark analysis. Training is provided to Solicitors on what to expect from an Expert, the right questions to ask, and the value of having the right Expert.

All training needs can be considered, so please contact us with your requirements.

Scene Photographs & Videos

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Scene Photographs & Videos

“A picture speaks a thousand words” and this is also true in the field of collision investigation.

FCIR routinely produce an album of photographs of the location of an incident and where possible the vehicles involved. Photographs are also routinely produced when dealing with mirror sightlines.

We can also produce videos of the locus, be that on the approach paths of the vehicles to establish an indicative driver’s view, or static footage for a junction for traffic light timings. The videos produced are relevant to the matter being investigated, and are part of FCIR’s tailored approach.

If you would like us to gather such locus evidence for you, please contact us.

Plans & Scale Drawings

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Plans & Scale Drawings

As distances and environments are often crucial to the analysis of a collision, plans and scale drawings provide a powerful technique for communicating such details. These differ from a 3D model, and can present in a more useable format for Court purposes, highlighting the specific elements of an incident.

Breaking with the convention of merely producing a scale plan of the scene, FCIR also regularly produce technical drawings that demonstrate the orientations of the vehicles at impact, movements after impact, or the positions of parties relative to one another at key moments in time, e.g. moving from a junction.

If you would like to understand how a technical drawing may assist your current case, please contact us.

Answering Specific Questions

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

FCIR are experienced in Answering Specific Questions

When a full Reconstruction is not required, FCIR can analyse specific elements of an incident and answer questions surrounding those areas.

FCIR are routinely instructed to answer specific questions posed by clients. Questions such as “what was the speed of the vehicle?”, “under what conditions could this collision have been avoided?” or “were the headlamps on at the time of the collision?”.

These may be critical to understanding a collision or deciding where liability may lay. FCIR excel at providing a tailored solution to answer questions that may be posed, be that from assisting with establishing terms of reference, how to properly pose questions to an expert, or what is likely to be achieved by additional questions.

Should you require specific parts of an incident to be analysed please contact us and we can discuss it with you.

3D Simulation

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

3D Simulation

Conveying findings of a report in a way that is accessible to the audience is an essential part of any analysis.

A 3D simulation of events can be compelling. A video showing how the parties arrived at the point of collision, or how vehicles moved after a collision can clearly convey the message that the whole audience can understand.

Simulation can also assist in demonstrating what would happen if a vehicle was travelling, say, 5mph slower.

It can also provide compelling evidence when dealing with large goods vehicles interacting with pedestrians or pedal cycles. The mirror view of the driver can be plotted in relation to the other party and can be viewed in real time – giving rise to not only how long, but also how much of the pedal cycle/pedestrian was visible in the mirrors.

If you would like to understand how this may help in a matter you are currently dealing with, please contact us

3D Locus Scanning & Modelling

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

3D Locus Scanning & Modelling

FCIR are one of the few Collision Investigation companies that offer state of the art 3D Locus Scanning.

What is a 3D Laser Scanner?

A 3D laser scanner is a device that takes several million measurements at a location from which a 3D environment is generated that can be navigated as if you were standing there yourself.

Why do I need a 3D Locus Scan?

Conventional locus surveying techniques rely upon a user taking ‘manual’ measurements with a tape measure, measuring wheel or surveyors total station. This can be hugely restrictive, because it relies on the user physically taking every measurement they need. Should information come to light later on and an additional measurement needed, it may require an additional visit to the scene which may well be billed back to you.

In the case of CCTV Analysis, a 3D laser scan allows for dramatically reduced tolerances in any subsequent analysis. The 3D laser scans are to millimetre accuracy, far greater accuracy than conventional techniques.

Is a 3D locus scan only useful for measurements?

No, scan data is incredibly versatile and can be used in a number of circumstances. Two regular uses are for witness views and for mirror sightlines from large goods vehicles.

It is often great assistance to a court to understand what a witness could see from their position. A 3D scan allows a user to stand in the exact position of a witness, and view the area from that position – even if it is from a window on the top floor of a block of flats!

In the case of incidents involving large goods vehicles, a view that a driver had through the mirrors is often critical. Having a 3D laser scanner allows for the view from mirrors be established, not only at ground level but also at varying heights to accurately model the circumstances.

Reconstruction Reports

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Reconstruction Reports

A full analysis of all evidence surrounding a collision.

This is a detailed study of all elements surrounding a collision, from the physical scene evidence to the accounts of witnesses. Each report can be tailored to answer specific questions you may need answered, such as the speed of a vehicle or which side of the road a vehicle was on at the time of the collision.

All reports are produced in a Court-Ready format, often produced alongside a series of graphical exhibits to convey the detailed analysis in a clear and concise way. A full Reconstruction is likely to include photograph albums, videos of a collision locus and plan drawings. There are often occasions where a 3D model and simulation are helpful. All of these will be discussed with any instructing party from the outset as a tailored approach is what we offer. If you would like to discuss a current case, please contact us.

Detailed Civil Accident Reconstruction

Sun, 21 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Detailed analysis for a high value Civil Claim

CC v DW

CC was 14 years old at the time of the collision and playing near to the junction of a cul-de-sac with a friend when a car, driven by DW, turned left into the junction and collided with him. CC suffered a serious eye injury which had permanently affected his sight. CC had been playing in the road on a skateboard and it was the Defence case that CC had been laying on the skateboard at the time of the collision thus out of the view of DW as he negotiated the junction.