Maricopa Community Colleges  AJS235   19966-20086 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
AJS235 19966-20086 LEC 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s)
Technical Traffic Accident Investigation
The function of the traffic accident investigator. Complex situations involving directions of force; skid, scuff and critical speed marks; speed formulas; damage estimates; causes and results of actions and reactions; scale diagramming and mapping; and advanced theories of accident reconstruction.
Prerequisites: AJS207 or permission of Instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
AJS235   19966-20086 Technical Traffic Accident Investigation
1. Estimate the speed of a vehicle from the critical speed scuff. (I)
2. Calculate combining speeds of vehicles. (II)
3. Perform speed calculations upon analyzing the physical evidence available. (III)
4. Explain the photographic techniques used in photographing an accident scene. (IV)
5. Identify the elements of a collision. (V)
6. Estimate speed from collision damage. (V)
7. Measure skid marks and critical speed scuff for speed estimates. (VI)
8. Analyze pedestrian dynamics in an accident. (VII)
9. Conduct a technical examination of a damaged vehicle. (VIII)
10. Calculate speeds from skid and critical speed scuff by combining speeds in accident situations. (IX)
11. Identify the potential problems an accident investigator faces on the witness stand. (X)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
AJS235   19966-20086 Technical Traffic Accident Investigation
    I. Speed Estimation from Critical Speed Scuff
        A. Physical principles
        B. Necessary data
        C. Methods of checks and balances
        D. Special problems
        E. Practical exercises
      II. Combining Speeds in Traffic Accidents
          A. Physical principles
          B. Calculations
          C. Special problems
        III. Analysis of Physical Evidence for Speed Calculations
          IV. Photographing the Accident Scene
              A. Deciding what pictures to take
              B. Photographic techniques
            V. Elements of a Collision
                A. Types of impacts
                B. Vehicle rotation
                C. Estimating speed from collision damage
              VI. Skid testing
                  A. Measuring skid for speed estimates
                  B. Measuring critical speed scuff
                  C. Directional stability during a skid
                VII. Pedestrian Dynamics
                    A. Determination of impact area
                    B. Analysis of physical evidence
                  VIII. Technical Examination of Vehicle
                      A. Observations
                      B. Measuring damage
                      C. Matching damage to objects struck
                    IX. Examination of Accident Situations
                        A. Speeds from skid
                        B. Combining speeds
                        C. Speeds from critical speed scuff
                      X. Courtroom Presentation
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