MARYLAND - COLLISION MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES, PART 8 PHOTOGRAPHING THE COLLISION SCENE

• NCJ Number: 63357
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 18 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Admin; Maryland Dept of Transportation
• Corporate Author: Maryland Police Training Cmssn
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Training (Handbook/Manual)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS UNIT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH TECHNIQUES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING THE COLLISION SCENE.

Abstract

PHOTOGRAPHS ARE A CONVENIENT MEANS OF RECORDING THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF THE ACCIDENT SCENE. THEY CAN SUPPLEMENT BUT NOT SUPPLANT OTHER FORMS OF DOCUMENTATION, SUCH AS CAREFUL OBSERVATION, MEASUREMENT, AND DIAGRAMING. THEY MAY ALSO HELP IN RECONSTRUCTING AN ACCIDENT, BE USED BY A PROSECUTOR, OR BE INTRODUCED AS EVIDENCE IN SETTLING CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE ACCIDENT. PHOTOGRAPHS SHOULD BE TAKEN SO TEMPORARY EVIDENCE (E.G., DEBRIS, TIRE IMPRINTS, SKIDMARKS) WILL NOT BE LOST. COMMONLY PHOTOGRAPHED ACCIDENT SITUATIONS INCLUDE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING FATALITIES, LARGE VEHICLES LEAVING THE ROADWAY, VEHICLE RUNNING OFF A BRIDGE OR THROUGH A GUARD RAIL, AND RAILROAD CROSSING COLLISIONS. OTHER COMMONLY PHOTOGRAPHED ACCIDENTS INVOLVE PEDESTRIANS, HIT AND RUN, AND UNUSUAL OR FREAK OCCURRENCES, SUCH AS A CAR COLLIDING WITH AN AIRPLANE. GENERAL RULES TO FOLLOW IN TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS ARE DISCUSSED--HOW TO PLAN PICTURES, HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH VEHICULAR DAMAGE, AND HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH ROADMARKS, FINAL POSITION OF OBJECTS, AND THE ROADWAY ENVIRONMENT. FINALLY, GENERAL TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED TO PHOTOGRAPH AN ACCIDENT SCENE AND TO CATEGORIZE AND PRESERVE PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE ARE EXPLAINED. A QUIZ IS INCLUDED. (PRG)