Leadership: Texas Hold 'Em Style
Andrew J. Harvey  More Info

What is a Hero?: The American Heroes Press Short Story Anthology
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Police Books

Traffic Collision Investigations

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The books listed on this page were authored by police officers. 


The Pocket Traffic Accident Reconstruction Guide: A Complete Traffic Accident Reference Handbook
Timothy Staab  More Info

Sergeant Timothy Staab began his career with the Glendora Police Department (California) in June 1983 as a Police Cadet. In February 1985,  Sergeant Timothy Staab was hired as a Glendora Police Officer, and attended the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Academy. Upon graduation, he served as a Patrol Officer for two years. In 1987, Sergeant Timothy Staab was assigned as a motorcycle traffic officer where he spent nearly six years; enforcing traffic laws and investigating traffic accidents. In 1992, Sergeant Timothy Staab was appointed to the rank of Agent.

 

Throughout his career, Sergeant Timothy Staab has taken a special interest in investigating traffic collisions. In 1993, he became an” Accredited Traffic Accident Reconstructionist,” joining an elite group of approximately 800 such accredited individuals worldwide. Sergeant Timothy Staab is a nationally published author on accident investigation, and has qualified numerous times in court as an expert on the subject. He frequently lectures to the public, law enforcement, legal community, and insurance company representatives.  Timothy Stabb is the author of The Pocket traffic Accident Reconstruction Guide.

 

According to the book description of The Pocket traffic Accident Reconstruction Guide “Traffic accident investigators and reconstructionist probably have the common speed and sliding formulas memorized. However, there likely are formulas out there that you haven’t committed to memory. And, while it’s not practical to carry around a large textbook to every accident scene, having some type of reference would make your job easier. That is why the Pocket Traffic Accident Reconstruction Guide was created.

Timothy Stabb, the author, created the Pocket Traffic Accident Reconstruction Guide to be an easy to use reference for anyone investigating a traffic accident. The guide is a pocket-sized booklet containing over eighty equations to compute vehicle velocity/speeds, distance, time acceleration rates and more. Designed to fit in a shirt pocket or briefcase, this handy guide also contains a glossary of traffic collision terms, a table of roadway friction coefficient values and a conversion multiplier.

 

The Pocket Traffic Accident Reconstruction Guide contains equations for: Converting speed from MPH to FPS; Converting velocity from FPS to MPH; Airborne projectile motion; Center of gravity mass; Pedestrian impact; and, many more.


Basic Collision Investigation and Scene Documentation, Second Edition
David A. Casteel  More Info

David A. Casteel, senior collision analyst, provides consultation and expert witness services to governmental and private sector clients in the areas of traffic collision causation, analysis and reconstruction. Before joining the Ayres Group in 1992, David A. Casteel worked for the San Diego City Attorney’s Office as a litigation investigator and collision analyst for more than six years. He was member of the San Diego Police Department for thirteen years. Casteel is qualified as an expert in accident reconstruction in superior, municipal, federal court and arbitration. He has completed a variety of accident investigation, collision analysis, biomechanics and other related courses at the University of North Florida, Long Beach State University, University of California, San Diego and holds a B.S. in mathematics (engineering emphasis). He also is lecturer in the field and co-author of Basic Collision Analysis and Scene Documentation and Pedestrian Accident Reconstruction and Litigation.


Evidence in Traffic Crash Investigation And Reconstruction: Identification, Interpretation And Analysis of Evidence, And the Traffic Crash Investigation And Reconstruction Process
R. W. Rivers  More Info

Tire Failures and Evidence Manual: For Traffic Accident Investigation
R. W. Rivers  More Info

R. W. “Bob” Rivers (Inspector, Officer-in-charge, Traffic Branch, Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Retired) is the author of various internationally recognized and utilized traffic crash investigation and reconstruction textbooks published by Charles C. Thomas, Publisher, Ltd., Springfield, Illinois, and the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), University of North Florida.

 

As an IPTM adjunct faculty member, he acts as a technical advisor, directs IPTM's correspondence training programs and carries out various projects such as the development of traffic crash investigation courses and Traffic, Crime Scene, Marine and Aircraft crash investigation templates.

 

Bob Rivers travels internationally, carrying out research involving traffic crash investigation and reconstruction training programs. Upon request he will provide assistance, advice and/or suggestions on an international basis in terms of training programs and arrangements for lecturers/speakers for Accident Investigation and Accident Reconstruction related seminars and conferences.

 

Inspector R.W. “Bob” Rivers is the author of: Traffic Accident Investigator’s Manual: A Levels 1 and 2 Reference, Training and Investigation Manual; Traffic Accident Investigators' Lamp Analysis Manual; Technical Traffic Accident Investigators' Handbook: A Level 3 Reference, Training, and Investigation Manual; Traffic Accident Investigators' and Reconstructionists' Field Measurements and Scale Diagrams Manual; On-Scene Traffic Accident Investigators' Manual; Basic Physics: Notes for Traffic Crash Investigators and Reconstructionists : An Introduction for Some a Review for Others; Evidence in Traffic Crash Investigation And Reconstruction: Identification, Interpretation And Analysis of Evidence, And the Traffic Crash Investigation And Reconstruction Process; and, Tire Failures and Evidence Manual: For Traffic Accident Investigation.

 

According to the description of Traffic Accident Investigator’s manual: A Levels 1 and 2 Reference, Training and Investigation Manual, “many traffic "accidents" are someone's fault. Some are intended, while others can be foreseen. It is the traffic accident investigator's role to determine, through the gathering of evidence and an analysis of circumstances, that which is an accident and that which is not. This manual launches the trainee on the road to the scientific approach to determining which incident falls into what category. The text clearly outlines the steps to be taken when the report of a traffic accident is received, travelling to the scene, the at-scene investigation, and any follow-up investigation that may be required. An introduction to scientific speed analysis based on thorough at-scene investigation is provided.

 

According to the description of Evidence in Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction: Identification, Interpretation and Analysis of Evidence, and the Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction Process, the book “begins with a detailed description of the entire investigation process. The material then graduates into the various phases and levels of investigations, showing the levels of training and education normally associated with the levels of investigations and consequently the duties and responsibilities of the investigator and reconstructionist. Using narrative, schematics, and photographs, the mechanical inspection process is described in detail by identifying various vehicle parts, explanations of their functions, and methods of identifying failures. Human-related factors in traffic crash investigations are discussed at length, including the traffic crash viewed as a systems failure. Looming vulnerability, a recently developed theoretical construct that helps to describe and understand social, cognitive, organizational, and psychological mechanism, is described.”


Handbook of Charts and Tables for Vehicle Dynamic Analysis
Barry L. Richard  More Info

John B. Sweatt is a technical associate with ATA Associates, Inc. A retired, twenty-two-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, he worked extensively in the hit and run accident detail and accident investigation division. He received his BS in 1978 from the University of Houston and has continued to develop expertise in advanced accident reconstruction, radial tire belt separations, restraint systems examinations, truck brake failure analysis, vehicle damage analysis, ground base aerial crush photography, airbag technology and development, and tractor-trailer rollovers and underride accidents.

 

John Sweatt’s areas of specialized expertise include: accident investigations, accident reconstruction, and commercial vehicle investigations and reconstruction. He is a licensed private investigator in the state of Texas and is HAZWOPER certified.  John B. Sweatt is the co-author of Handbook of Charts and Tables for Vehicle Dynamic Analysis.

 

According to the book description of Handbook of Charts and Tables for Vehicle Dynamic Analysis, it “is a complete reference tool that is a composite of engineering data expressed in formulas, charts, tables and graphs. It is the ideal resource for those initiated in the basics of accident reconstruction, specifically designed as a quick reference supplement to traditional textbooks. The formulas are those recognized by educational institutions and practitioners in the accident reconstruction arena.

 

Topics covered include: Acceleration; Basic formulas; Braking; deceleration and stopping; Curves; Maneuvering; and, Speed.  This book is directed toward: Accident reconstructionists; Personal injury attorneys; Claims adjusters; and, Consulting experts”


Advanced Traffic Crash Analysis
Neil F.Robar  More Info

Neil Robar retired at the rank of lieutenant from the Hollywood Police Department (florida), where he either commanded or worked in every division and unit. For five years he was the coordinator of the Institute of Police Technology and Management’s Traffic Crash Investigation and Reconstruction section. Neil Robar is now a private consultant in traffic crash investigation and reconstruction and he continues to teach at all levels in the area as an adjunct for the Institute of Police Technology and Management.  Neil Robar is the author of Inspection of Motorcycles after Impact; Motorcycle Helmet Inspection after Impact and the co-author of Advanced Traffic Accident Investigation and Advanced Traffic Crash Analysis.

 

According to the book description of Advanced Traffic Crash Analysis, it is”filled with the latest technology, techniques and information in the field of traffic crash investigation.  The IPTM’s Advanced Traffic Crash Analysis is an expanded and updated version of its predecessor, our popular Advanced Traffic Crash Investigation manual.

 

The authors, Mr. Neil Robar and Mr. George Ruotolo, present material that goes far beyond the basics taught in at-scene investigation courses. This manual contains updated photos, charts and formulas in the more advanced areas of crash investigation as well as five new chapters that deal with safety belt examinations, crash data retrieval systems, forensic visual perception, energy, and trial preparation and courtroom testimony.

 

This new text is used by IPTM in our Advanced Traffic Crash Investigation course. It can also be used as a reference and training guide if you wish to brush up on your skills in this field.

 

The book includes the following chapters: Mathematics Review; Vehicle Damage Analysis; Safety Belt Examinations and Occupant Restraint Systems; Crash Data Retrieval System; Forensic Visual Perception as it Affects Nighttime Traffic Crashes; Laws of Motion and Vehicle Dynamics ; Acceleration and Deceleration; Energy Time and Distance; Airborne Equations; Conservation of Linear Momentum and Vector Analysis; Photography; Advanced Measuring and Diagramming; and, Trial Preparation and Courtroom Testimony.”

Conservation of linear momentum using vector sum analysis
W. A Kennedy  More Info
Impact velocity from conservation of linear momentum for the traffic accident investigator and reconstructionist: A manual on deriving and using the speed-at-impact ... equations with the 360 degree method
W. A Kennedy  More Info

Walter A. “Butch” Kennedy served in the US Army from 1965 to 1968.  Shortly after his discharge he joined the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (Florida).  During his 17 year law enforcement career he has worked patrol, traffic and training.  In 1983, he was awarded a Medal of Merit for Bravery.  Between 1986 and 1992, he was a full-time instructor at the Institute of Police Technology and Management (Florida).  Walter Kennedy is the author Conservation of Linear Momentum Using Vector Sum Analysis and Impact Velocity from Conservation of Linear Momentum for the Traffic Accident Investigator and reconstructionist.

 

According to the book description of Conservation of Linear Momentum Using Vector Sum Analysis, it “is difficult for even the experienced reconstructionist to visualize the momentum components of colliding vehicles. To conquer this problem, W. A. Kennedy has drawn a series of “pictures” that present a graphic solution to the momentum equations. In this book, the author uses a coordinate system to graphically illustrate the vector components of the vehicles involved. To clarify the graph, he uses a distinct color for each vehicle and provides an explanatory text, complete with the momentum formulas and all of the variables needed, to solve the problem.

 

The graphical solutions provide an alternative to formulas in determining pre-impact and post-impact vehicle speeds. They also provide a check on the accuracy of computations that use formulas and enable the crash reconstructionist to gain a clear visual impression of the vector components present in collisions. After a brief introduction, Mr. Kennedy addresses the following topics: Post-Collision Scene Data and Trajectory Analysis Using the Right Hand Coordinate System; Vectors and Vector Analysis; Post Impact Analysis; Pre-Collision Scene Data and Trajectory Analysis; Pre-Collision Side of Equation; Post-Collision Data; and, Trajectory Analysis Using the Left Hand Coordinate System.”

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