62A - Crash Investigations - 2019

Browse Search

62A – Motor Vehicle Investigations Policy & Procedure Page 5 of 10 b. An officer trained in Crash Reconstruction shall always be called in all cases involving: i. Fatalities; and ii. Serious personal injury, which is likely to result in death. c. Reconstruction officers may be called in: i. For cases where, in the opinion of the officers on scene, and with the approval of a supervisor, the expertise of the an officer trained in Crash Reconstruction is necessary; or ii. When requested by a supervisor. D. Follow-Up Investigations [61.2.4] 1. Follow Up Services a. The Department shall perform follow-up traffic crash investigation services in support of on-going or anticipated criminal prosecution whenever necessary. The discretionary authority of a Supervisor or Prosecutor generally activates the use of this type of investigation. b. When warranted, this follow-up information should include, but not be limited to: i. Collecting off-scene data; ii. Obtaining/recording formal statements from witnesses and suspects; iii. Reconstructing collision; iv. Preparing formal reports to support criminal charges arising from the collision; and v. Obtaining the completed Crash Report from the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section (C.A.R.S) team at the conclusion of their investigation. 2. Expert and Technical Services a. Collision Reconstruction Services: Trained personnel may be able to determine: i. The likely speed of a vehicle from skid marks and vehicle crash damage; ii. Positions of vehicles and pedestrians; iii. Which occupant was operating or where occupants were seated; iv. The contribution of roadway conditions and design, operation, and vehicle conditions to the collision; v. Energy losses and momentum exchanges in stopping vehicles; and vi. The movements of vehicles and bodies in collisions.