Forensic Engineering Evaluation Of Physical Evidence In Accident Reconstruction

A fatal collision involving a pedestrian struck by a public train at a rail station located in a major U.S. metropolitan city was investigated. The train was equipped with an event data recorder that recorded valuable empirical data related to the collision, such as the train speed, braking, and acceleration inputs. However, the original digital version of the data was not available to analyze, and only a single screenshot of the data in an analog graph format was available. The subject train was equipped with multiple video cameras at various vantage points that recorded video footage of the collision. Using the process of “matchmoving” — and with the assistance of three-dimensional LiDAR scanning of the station and train — video footage was analyzed to spatially determine the location of the train in three-dimensional space. The process of matchmoving is an established scientific process used to calibrate a virtual camera to “match” the movement and optic properties of the real-world camera that captured the video. Further analysis was performed to determine the train’s kinematics (such as its speed and deceleration rates) leading up to the collision. The accuracy of the matchmoving analysis was then verified with the available event data.

Section: Matchmoving Analysis Of Video Footagementioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Matchmoving for Forensic Video Analysis with Recorded Event Data

Ziernicki¹,

Nguyen²

2023

Forensic Engineering Analysis of Fatal Overhead Crane Accident

Ziernicki¹,

Nguyen²

2021

This paper outlines the forensic procedure and techniques used in the reconstruction and safety assessment of a fatal overhead crane accident. The decedent (a subcontractor) was working as a pipe fitter at a manufacturing plant. At the time of the accident, the decedent had climbed up onto an overhead crane rail to move existing pipework when the crane struck and killed him. This paper presents the application of various techniques/methodologies to reconstruct the complex accident, including 3D HD scanning, drone video imaging, and 3D modeling/principles of photogrammetry to understand how the incident occurred and provide visualizations of the construction project. Safety analysis was conducted by analyzing crane maintenance and operation as well as the duties/responsibilities of the different employers and comparing industrial standards and practices such as OSHA, ANSI, and safety principles.

Forensic Engineering Analysis of Projectile Thrown from Phantom Vehicle

Ziernicki¹,

Pierce²,

Leiloglou³

2021

This paper presents a case study involving an 8-lb “projectile” piece of concrete thrown from a phantom vehicle into the windshield of a semi-tractor truck, subsequently striking the driver’s (plaintiff’s) head. A witness told the investigating officer that the phantom vehicle was a white-rear dump truck similar to the trucks he’d seen coming in and out of a construction entrance at a nearby park. However, no follow-up investigation was conducted by investigative officers. The lead author was retained by the plaintiff’s attorney to follow up and investigate the witness’ observation of the phantom white-rear dump truck in an attempt to identify the probable source of the concrete projectile, locate the phantom vehicle, reconstruct the incident, and determine the probable cause of the incident. Several forensic engineering techniques were used during the forensic engineering investigation, including evidence analysis, photography, high-definition scanning, photogrammetry, evaluation of the accident timeline, physical testing, case study analysis, projectile analysis, and application of the process of elimination methodology. Through the forensic engineering analysis, the probable source of the projectile concrete was identified, the white-rear dump truck and driver were identified, the accident was reconstructed, and the probable cause of the accident was determined.