Maricopa Community Colleges  AJS207   19956-20086 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
AJS207 19956-20086 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Traffic Accident Investigation
Theories and basic techniques of accident investigation: what the vehicle shows, examination of the roadway, recording and preservation of skidmark evidence, speed estimates, reconstruction of the accident scene, diagram and map making, photographing the accident scene, background investigation, and court testimony.
Prerequisites: None.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
AJS207   19956-20086 Traffic Accident Investigation
1. Describe the basic method of determining the speed of a vehicle involved in an accident. (I)
2. Describe the proper method of handling conflicting witnesses to an accident. (II)
3. Identify the basic steps taken in diagraming an accident scene. (III)
4. Describe the basic steps in examining headlamp and taillight filaments. (IV)
5. Describe the data to be recorded concerning vehicles involved in accidents. (V)
6. Describe the proper angles for photographing an accident scene. (VI)
7. Interpret observations pertaining to tire marks, incling skid marks, scuff marks, and prints. (VII)
8. Interview witnesses and drivers in a manner which will elicit what actually occurred at the accident scene. (VIII)
9. Explain the driving process from the driver's standpoint. (IX)
10. Explain the physical factors involved in stopping a vehicle, including the coefficient of friction and the drag factor. (X)
11. Conduct skid tests. (X)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
AJS207   19956-20086 Traffic Accident Investigation
    I. Physical factors
        A. Speed
        B. Time and distance
      II. Conflicting witnesses
          A. Discussion of facts
          B. Party at fault
          C. Isolation of witnesses
        III. Diagraming the accident scene
            A. Tire marks
              1. Skid marks
              2. Scuff marks
              3. Prints
            B. Metal scars
              1. Gauges
              2. Surface marks
            C. Position of vehicles and bodies
              1. Uncontrolled
              2. Controlled
            D. Debris
              1. Under body
              2. Vehicle liquid
              3. Vehicle parts
              4. Spilled cargo
              5. Road material
            E. Damage to fixed objects
            F. Signs that vehicle left ground
              1. Falls
              2. Flips
          IV. Headlamps/taillights: filaments examination
              A. Hot shock
              B. Cold shock
            V. Data about the vehicle
                A. Body type
                B. Assessment of damage
                C. Lights
                D. Locked wheels
                E. Windshield
                F. Speedometers
                G. Brakes
              VI. Photographing the scene
                  A. Four basic shots
                  B. Proper angles
                VII. Overview of tire marks
                    A. Skid marks
                    B. Scuff marks
                    C. Prints
                  VIII. Interviewing
                      A. Past theories of conducting an interview
                      B. Current interview methods
                      C. Identifying the driver's "auto-pilot"
                      D. Finding witnesses
                    IX. Driving process
                        A. Driver strategy
                        B. Driver perception
                        C. Delayed perception
                        D. Driver reaction
                      X. Stopping process
                          A. Factors which govern stopping process
                          B. Coefficient of friction
                          C. Drag factor
                          D. Skid testing
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