Rebuild
The Crash
Peter Bellion test drives the latest in accident
investigation/reconstruction software.
The Investigator
VS Investigator Suite Version 3 is a complete package, designed
especially for accident investigators or accident reconstructionists.
Software
modules cover scene diagramming, interviews with drivers and
witnesses, a vehicle specification database and speed calculations
/ accident reconstruction.
The software
takes about two minutes to install from a CD-ROM and will require
70MB of free space. The software is accessed by double clicking
on the Vista 2D icon on your computer’s desktop.
Once accessed,
VS Investigator – Vista will open after registration details
have been completed. Vista is the main module of the software
and is where scene diagrams are prepared. A unique function
of this module is Autoscene, which allows scale plans to be
quickly prepared from basic scene measurements. Alternatively,
total survey station measurements can be imported. Vista allows
scene diagrams to be prepared for motor vehicle collisions,
crime scenes, fire scenes, marine collisions and rail collisions.
Each type
of collision scene has its own object library. Objects are displayed
on the left side of the screen and can be picked up and dragged
onto your scene diagram very easily. Most objects are ready
to be used for Australian applications, however some modifications
may be required to accurately depict roadway turning arrows
and signs consistent with Australian road rules.
Vehicles
are brought into the scene diagram by dragging them across from
the vehicles object library or an exact vehicle can be brought
in from the vehicle specs database. The database currently only
has data for the north American vehicle fleet from 1971 to 2002.
Some of these vehicles may be used on Australia’s roads,
however further development of this database for Australia would
be advantageous.
Once a vehicle
object is selected, a right mouse click opens a menu and, by
selecting “damage model”, damage profiles of the vehicle
can be drawn.
A scene
measured using a total survey station in metre units and imported
as a .dxf file into Vista will require reduction of its co-ordinates
to the appropriate scale before bringing it in, unless the software
import files can be changed to suit metric surveys in metre
units. Background images, either in *.bmp or *.jpg format, can
be brought in, but also require appropriate scaling.
The Interview
Pro module is accessed via Tools, Interview Pro in Vista. This
part of the software assists in taking statements from witnesses
or interviewing drivers. You specify the type of collision you
are investigating and Interview Pro will display standard questions
you need to ask witnesses or drivers. Time required to prepare
for interviews and take statements will be reduced. These interviews
can be exported as .rtf files which can then be imported into
Word.
Analysis
of collision scene evidence is done using Visual Analyst from
the Tools menu in Vista. Various equations applicable to assessing
speed, time and distance can be opened. Data applicable to each
equation are input and the software will calculate the required
result using the appropriate equation. This area requires the
user to have completed an appropriate collision reconstruction
course to be able to correctly choose the appropriate equation
and input the correct variables to the scenario being analysed.
Formulas come from the four main physics techniques used to
analyse collisions, linear motion, circular motion, momentum
and energy. Some of the mathematical constants used in the formulae
may not be readily recognised by the analyst, for example the
254 under the square root sign in the slide-to-stop formula
is represented outside the square root sign as 15.95. There
are also specific equations applicable to motorcycle collisions,
pedestrian collisions and truck rollovers. The friction table
tab within Visual Analyst displays the standard friction table
collision reconstructionists will be familiar with. A conversion
tab is also available for converting imperial to metric for
speed, distance, weight and temperature data.
Later this
year, further modules to Vista will become available including
Vista 3-D, Vista Animation and VS Hawkeye. These new modules
will allow three-dimensional scene data entry for diagramming,
scene animation (not simulation) and rectification of photographs
taken on the horizontal plain to overhead plan view.
The Vista
software package is very user friendly. Some fine tuning of
the software to better suit metric surveys, the incorporation
of an Australian vehicle database and additional objects applicable
to Australian road rules would greatly benefit its application
for accident investigators and reconstructionists in Australia.
For about $US1000 you can’t go wrong.
The
author: Sgt Peter Bellion is accident reconstruction team leader
for the Victoria Police, Major Collision Investigation Unit.
He has been with Victoria Police for 16 years.
