Collision Reconstruction
The Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), a branch of Forensic Identification Services, is responsible for the investigation and reconstruction of all motor vehicle collisions that result in life-threatening/life-altering injuries or death. There are seven members - one Sergeant and six Detective Constables - in the CRU.
Each Detective Constable assigned to the CRU has received specialized training over a number of years. This expertise enables them to determine causes, calculate speeds and reconstruct motor vehicle collisions.
CRU members also provide expert testimony in criminal and civil courts of law, allowing judges, juries and the families of victims to better understand what occurred at the scene of a collision. These in-depth investigations conducted by members of the CRU provide explanations as to how and why collisions occurred and who is responsible.
In addition to these duties, the CRU supports other investigative units within the Service as well as government agencies by reconstructing the scenes of other occurrences, such as:
- Airplane crashes
- Industrial accidents
- Explosions
- Homicides
- Other major crime scenes
What We Do
In addition to its overarching duties, members of the Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) are responsible for:
Providing assistance to the Forensic Identification Section
and the Homicide Unit:
Some crime scenes occur outdoors and may cover large areas. With the use of the Sokkia total station, Collision Reconstructionists can attend and forensically map scenes, and provide detailed diagrams to investigating officer(s).
Aiding uniform patrol officers in investigating non-fatal and criminal-related motor vehicle collisions:
Not all collisions the CRU attends are fatal motor vehicle collisions, nor do they involve serious injuries to persons. CRU officers also assist uniformed patrol officers with the examination of at-scene evidence and can provide expert opinions regarding speeds and the dynamics surrounding non-fatal and/or criminal-related collisions.
Managing all fatal and life-altering motor vehicle collisions:
All fatal motor vehicle collisions or life-altering injury collisions are managed by one of the Detective Constables in the CRU. This involves attendance at collision scenes, vehicle examinations, post mortems and all other facets of investigation.
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