outline_33590
TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This course will provide students with the minimum topics of Collision Investigation required
per California Vehicle Code 40600, which requires Peace Officers to complete a POST approved
course in collision investigation in order to issue collision related citations based on reasonable
cause. Topics include: traffic law, collision dynamics, scene management, evidence
identification, collision causation factors, reporting procedures, sketching and diagramming,
and court testimony.
TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION (PAM 1081 & 40600VC)
Minimum Topics/ Exercises:
1. Introduction and Orientation
2. Collision Investigation Reporting Procedures
3. Accident-Related Traffic Laws
4. Accident Investigation Procedures
5. Skid marks/ Tiremarks Identification
6. Diagramming
7. Physical Evidence
8. Vehicle Factors
9. Human Factors
10. Driving Under the Influence
11. Hit and Run
12. Prosecution/ Court Presentations
13. Practical Exercise (Scenarios)
14. Final Examination
EXPANDED COURSE OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION AND ORIENTATION (1.)
A. Course Goals and Objectives
1. This course provides officers with the basic requirements to investigate a
traffic collision and to properly complete a standard traffic collision report.
2. Safely respond to and arrive at collision.
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
3. Recognize the importance for searching, locating, properly recording and
documenting physical evidence.
4. Learn what information must be documented for a collision report.
5. Develop skills to identify and articulate in writing the primary and
associated causes of a traffic crash.
6. This training meets and/or exceeds the requirements of California Vehicle
Code Section 40600. Section 40600 allows peace officer upon successful
completion of a Basic Collision Investigation Course to issue a Notice to
Appear based on their investigation of a traffic collision not witnessed
(on-viewed) by the officer.
B. Texts and Materials
C. Overview
1. Collision Investigation Challenge: the pieces of physical evidence found at
the scene of a crash are like the pieces of a puzzle. Your goal is to assemble the
pieces in order to understand the complete picture. The more complete the
picture, the more accurate your investigation will be in regard to the primary
collision factor and other aspects of the collision.
2. Why Investigate Collisions?
3. Injury and Death
4. Economic Impact
5. Volume of Accidents
6. Education/Engineering/Enforcement- Three E’s
D. Legal Reference: California Vehicle Code Section 40600 requires peace officers to
complete a course of training in investigation of traffic collisions to be qualified
to write traffic collision-related notices of violation based on reasonable cause.
The course of training must be approved by the Commission on Peace Officer
Standards and Training.
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
II. CRASH INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES (4.)
A. Responding to the Scene/Planning
1. Knowledge of the area
2. Distance from the officer’s present location
3. Responding units
4. Geographic conditions
5. Weather conditions
6. Time of day
B. Caring for the injured and the involved parties
1. Check for injuries
2. ID the nature and extent of the injuries
3. Administer First Aid when needed
C. Protection of the scene
1. Direct traffic away from scene
2. Devices for traffic control
3. Factors affecting flare patterns
D. Officer Safety
1. Evaluate the scene. Take a moment to stand back and look at what has
occurred.
2. Be aware and prepared for unique safety situations involved in traffic
collision investigation
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
3. Hazardous materials
E. Interviewing Techniques
1. Attempt to determine what happened from physical evidence first
2. Witnesses
3. Drivers and Passengers
F. Establishing the Area of Impact- A.O.I.
1. Generally defined as a point(s) at which involved parties come into
contact with one another, another object, or surface as a result of a traffic
collision.
2. CIM defines AOI as the area at which damage or injury occurs, where
involved parties come into contact with one another, another object, or surface
as a result of a traffic crash.
3. What to look for-
4. Statements
5. Be aware of forces which propel debris beyond point of impact.
6. Newton’s Laws
G. Determining Primary and Associated Crash Factor
1. Do not pre-conclude or pre-judge what happened
2. Definitions of primary collision factor and associated crash factors
3. Determining collision factors
H. Photography
1. Photography is a valuable tool in accident investigation. It is used to
preserve the scene and evidence for later evaluation and court presentation. In
addition, photographs could be used for reconstruction purposes.
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
2. One photo is worth a thousand words
3. Permanent and accurate record. Visual notes that can be used later
investigation and reconstruction and/or court exhibits
4. Case law relating to photography
5. Techniques
6. Equipment
III. TIRE FRICTION MARKS (5.)
A. Definition and Characteristics
1. Tire friction marks caused by extreme deceleration, extreme
acceleration, or a combination of any or all of these conditions.
2. Two types: skidmarks and scuffmarks
3. Skidmark types
4. Scuffmark types
B. Recording and Measuring
1. Measure each part of the tire friction marks
2. When marks are straight (creating a line), two separate points on the
mark must be identified by measurements. Typically this would be the
beginning and end points of the mark.
3. When the mark is curved, five separate points on the mark must be
identified by measurements. Typically this would include the beginning and end
points, plus three EVENLY spaced points in between.
C. Measurement tools
1. Pace
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
2. Roll meter
3. Fiberglass or steel tape
4. Total station
5. 3D Scanner
D. Identification
1. Tire brand and model
2. Tire size
3. Tire type: radial vs. bias ply
4. Tire pressure
5. Tread depth
6. DOT number
E. Match tire marks to involved vehicle
1. Tire width
2. Track width
3. Number or ribs and grooves
4. Evidence of skidding
5. Impact marks
F. Calculating speed: Should you suspect a car involved in the crash was speeding,
have an officer or detective who is qualified to opine about “speed from skids” follow
up. Your task is to properly and thoroughly record and document all of the physical
evidence, tire friction marks, vehicle damage, AOI and POR, and tire identification in
your report and diagram. Take an appropriate amount of photographs to memorialize
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
what you saw during your investigation in order to assist the detective in his/her follow
up or your investigation. Impound the vehicle when necessary.
IV. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (6.)
A. Debris
1. Debris does NOT include car parts.
2. Debris is the mud cake and/or rust knocked loose during a collision.
B. Car parts
1. Identifying the specific item.
2. Headlight glass
3. Amber turn signal lens plastic
4. Front number
C. Liquids
1. Spatter
2. Dribble
3. Pooling and/or puddles
4. Run-off
D. Road damage
1. Chips
2. Chops
3. Gouges
4. Grooves
5. Scratches
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
E. Tire friction marks
F. Fabric transfers
G. Paint transfers
H. Blood
1. 3 Q-tip swabs
2. One control swab with distilled water used for swabs 2 and 3
3. One swab of area around the blood to pick up contaminants
4. One swab of the blood
I. Vehicle body damage
1. Contact
2. Induced
3. Witness marks
J. Auto-Pedestrian crashes
1. Roadway
2. Vehicle
3. Pedestrian
K. Car versus motorcycle
1. Damage
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
2. Rider
L. Launches
1. Locate where car first touched down on roadway
2. Locate where car first took off becoming airborne
M. Lamp analysis
1. Preserve lamps and lightbulbs
2. Can be forensically examined to try and determine whether they were on
or off when impact occurred
3. Photograph from where the lamp or bulb was removed
4. Carefully tag and place into evidence for future examination and analysis
N. Paint transfers
1. Car A
2. Car B
O. Lab analysis
1. Lamps
2. Paint
3. Fabric
4. Hair
5. Tissue
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
6. Matching vehicle parts
P. Unusual evidence
1. Stuck speedometer
2. Human head
V. NINE CELL MATRIX (8.,9.)
A. Human, vehicle and environment
B. Pre-crash, crash, and post-crash events
PRE-CRASH CRASH POST CRASH
HUMAN
VEHICLE
ENVIRONMENT
1. Pre-crash: Human, Vehicle, Environment
2. Post-crash: Human, Vehicle, Environment
C. Vehicle Factors
1. Brakes
2. Tires
3. Lamps
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
4. Modifications
5. Seatbelts and airbags
6. Old versus new damage
7. Crash Data Recorders
D. Human factors
1. Perception and reaction time
VI. DIAGRAMMING (6., 7.)
A. Sketches
1. A sketch reflects the officer’s opinion of how the collision occurred
2. Vehicle paths are noted with solid lines. Each line is numbered according
to the number identifying the vehicle in your report.
3. Place an arrowhead at the AOI
4. The AOI is indicated by a small circle
5. Identify North
6. Identify all highway names
7. Include land widths for REPORT sketches
8. Identify structures or objects involved in the collision. Identify all traffic
control devices, vision blockage and unusual or temporary
conditions such as barricades.
9. Sketches are drawn on page 2 of the 555.
10. Sketches may be drawn freehand
B. Factual diagram
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
1. Factual diagram represents the scene as it was found by the investigating
officer‘s. Diagrams must always be drawn of the crash involves if you a
fatality, serious injury or when it assists in the prosecuting the case and/or in
situations where follow is likely to occur. In addition, a diagram may be drawn
whenever the officer decides it will help his or her documentation of the crash.
2. The diagram is taught to be drawn in proper proportion in the Basic AI
class. It is not taught to be drawn to scale. However, the evidence log must
reflect true and accurate distances related to the location of the physical
evidence, tire marks, and points of rest of the vehicles, etc.
3. Factual diagram should not be drawn freehand.
C. Procedures
1. Consider variables in determining the order and method to be used in
recording the physical evidence.
2. Measuring Methods
3. Locating physical evidence
4. Field drawing
5. Evidence log
6. Replicate your field drawing to your factual diagram.
VII. CRASH INVESTIGATION REPORTING PROCEDURES (2.)
A. Requirements
1. Individual Department Criteria
2. Report Forms
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
3. Classifications
B. Definitions and Terminology
1. Accident or Collision
2. Classification of Injuries.
3. Deliberate intent
4. Hazardous Material: CVC 353
5. Highway and Street CVC 360 and 590
6. Roadway: CVC 530
7. Sidewalk: CVC 555
8. Shoulder
9. Median
10. In Transport
11. Intersection
12. Motor Vehicle: CVC 415
13. Other Parties
14. On-Duty Emergency Vehicle
15. School Bus
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
16. Tow-Away
17. Witness
C. Functions of traffic collision reports
1. SWITRZ
2. Engineering needs
3. Enforcement needs
4. Civil and criminal proceedings
D. Instructions for completing the CHP 555 page-1
1. Scope
2. Special conditions
3. Number injured/killed
4. Hit-Run
5. City
6. Judicial district
7. County
8. Reporting district
9. Beat
10. Number
11. Page numbering
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
12. Collision occurred on
13. Milepost information
14. At intersection with
15. Vehicle year
16. Make, model and color of
17. License plate number and state
18. Owner
19. Disposition of the vehicle
20. VIN
21. Vehicle type
22. Vehicle damage
23. CHP, DOT, CAL-T, TCP/PCS, MC/MX
24. Preparer’s and reviewer’s names
E. CHP 555 page-2: Coding
1. PCF
2. Weather
3. Lighting
4. Roadway surface
5. Roadway conditions
6. Traffic control devices
7. Type of collision
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
8. Motor vehicle involved with
9. Pedestrian’s actions
10. Type of vehicle
11. Other associated factors
12. Movement preceding collision
13. Sobriety- Drug- Physical
14. Special information
15. Miscellaneous
F. CHP 555 page-3: Injured/Witness/Passengers
1. Injured
2. Safety equipment
3. Witness/ passenger only
4. Age
5. Sex
6. Extent of injury
7. Injured was
8. Party number
9. Seating position
10. Safety equipment
11. Ejected
12. Name/ DOB/ Address/ Telephone
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
13. Transported by
14. Description of injuries
15. Victim of violent crime notified
G. CHP 555 page-4: Factual Diagram
H. CHP 556: Narrative/ Supplemental
I. Report
1. Notification
2. Statements
3. Summary
4. AOI
5. Cause
J. Investigation
1. Factual diagram
2. Factual diagram legend
3. Facts
4. Scene
5. Parties
6. Physical evidence
7. Hit-Run (when applicable)
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
8. Other factual information (when applicable)
9. Statements
10. Opinions and conclusions
11. Recommendations
VIII. ACCIDENT RELATED TRAFFIC LAWS (3.)
A. Penal Code
1. Assault with deadly weapon/ intentional acts
2. Homicide
3. Manslaughter
4. PC 191.5
B. California Vehicle Code
1. Arrest procedures
2. Annotated Code and its use
3. Miranda advisements
4. Streets and Highways
C. Civil Liabilities of Officers
1. Caring for the injured
2. Protecting the scene and parties
3. Complete investigation
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
D. Vehicle Impound/Storage
1. Vehicles stored: can be released without law enforcement authorization
2. Vehicle impounded
3. Case law authority for storage and impound
E. Staged Collisions/ Insurance fraud
1. Characteristics
2. Fraudulent situations could occur with individuals having common
names, temporary driver’s licenses, rental vehicles and recently registered
vehicles.
F. Search and Seizure
1. Incident to Arrest
2. The “Automobile Exception”
3. Plain view
4. Plain smell
5. Consent
6. The vehicle as evidence instrumentally Of a crime
7. Inventory searches
8. Abandonment
9. Emergency
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
G. Rules of the Road
1. CVC Section 21800(a) versus 21800(b)
2. CVC Section 22100
3. CVC Section 21802(a) versus 21802(b)
H. DUI
(10.)
1. CVC Section 23152
2. CVC Section 23153
3. Case Law: Mercer allows officer to take blood sample without a physical
arrest IF all elements to arrest exist. Probably best to simply arrest first.
Other possibilities: Search warrant to seize information regarding the first blood
drawn by the hospital
IX. HIT AND RUN
(11.)
A. Statistics
1. Statewide, more than 20% of all reported accidents are hit-and-run
2. Statewide, the closure rate is only 1-2%
3. An average of 4-5% of all deadly crashes involved a hit and run driver. In
California it’s 7-8%. Nearly 1 in 5 pedestrians (18%) killed on America’s
roadways is the victim of a hit and run crash, according to a major
research report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
National Highway Traffic Safety (April 2003).
4. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
out of 4,881 pedestrians who were killed, 974 were hit and run accidents.
The total number of pedestrian deaths nationwide rose 2% since 2000,
but hit and run accidents raised 10 times that rate. More cars on the road
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
coupled with distracted and aggressive drivers are considered causes of the
increase.
B. Division 10
1. CVC 20000: Application of division 10 applies upon the highways and
elsewhere throughout the state. Includes private property.
2. CVC 20001: the duty to stop at the scene of a traffic crash
3. CVC 20004: Duty upon death- without delay, driver must report accident
to police if not at accident scene. This is a punitive section.
4. CVC 20008: duty to report accidents
5. CVC 20002: Misdemeanor hit and run
6. CVC 20002(b): if a vehicle is parked in prior to being driven it becomes a
runaway vehicle and the last driver is responsible for reporting the crash.
X. PROSECUTION AND COURT PRESENTATIONS
(12.)
A. Preparation
1. Review documents
2. Prepare testimony regarding elements of the crime
3. Be prepared to make and/or present a diagram in court
4. Pre-trial with the DDA
B. Testimony
1. The impression of your ability to testify will partly be based on the
manner in which you prepared your report.
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TRAFFIC COLLISION INVESTIGATION OUTLINE – 33590
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety -4180
POST certification II | POST Plan IV| 40 hours
Revised 8/25/2021
2. Well written reports are many times not tried.
3. Your report is the defense attorney’s best weapon against you.
XI. PRACTICAL EXERCISE
(13.)
A. Mock Crash
B. Investigation
1. Students interview drivers and witnesses
2. Students measure and record the location of all physical evidence, tire
friction marks, and vehicle points of rest.
XII. FINAL EXAMINATION
(14.)
A. Collision Investigation Manual
B. Students prepare report using the CHP 555 and 556 forms as instructed during
the Crash Investigation Procedures section of the class.
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