Last month, I had the opportunity to travel with OSCR360 to Gettysburg, PA for the 2017 Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Reconstruction Seminar. .
The PSP Reconstruction Seminar attracted over 350 attendees and was free to active Law Enforcement reconstructionists.

I had a great time at the conference with my co-workers Alex and Chuck, a retired sergeant and our resident crash reconstructionist. L-Tron was proud to sponsor the 10am coffee break on Thursday morning and we enjoyed meeting many of the PSP Officers, along with Law Enforcement Officials who traveled from all over the U.S. to attend a conference built specifically around Crash Reconstruction. The evening networking events were a lot of fun, too. (Karaoke night and a dinner banquet!)
I think I was most excited to watch the crash demos, which included two head-to-head collisions. One of these collisions included a Smart Car versus a Ford Explorer. I was astounded by the amount of damage inflicted on the smaller vehicle. Chuck was able to use OSCR to take 360 degree shots of both crashes, and to organize DSLR still photos of the scene(s) within the OCSR software. By organizing this crash data and photo evidence, Chuck provided a more accurate and comprehensive presentation of the both crashes.

At the Scene

Chuck photographed both crash scenes with OSCR360. Because of the nature of the crashes and the amount of people eager to study the scenes, Chuck needed to be able to move through the area quickly and efficiently. It was amazing to see how he was able to set up OSCR himself and capture all of his 360 degree photos within 15 minutes. OSCR captured 360 degree images from the zone of impact, as well as images that showed triangulation and striations in the road that were left behind by all four vehicles. By utilizing all of the information gathered by OSCR and our DSLR photos, Chuck likely could extrapolate the speed the cars were moving prior to impact. Although not a measuring device, OSCR compliments measuring devices like the LEICA system and total stations. OSCR is invaluable in walking through information and evidence at the crash scene, witnesses and jury members are able to see exactly what the Crash Reconstructionist sees.
 

Why attend the PSP Reconstruction Conference or take the A.C.T.A.R. Exam?

The PSP Reconstruction Seminar allows traffic reconstructionists to network and to share new ideas and technologies within their field. The conference is meant to explore interesting investigations, new training, and fields of study. Topics at this year’s conference included:

• Heavy vehicle inspections
• Autonomous vehicles
• Results from the WREX 2016 Human Factors Studies
• Drugged driving

There was an Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (A.C.T.A.R.) training prior to the conference that conference attendees were welcome to complete. The written exam followed the day after the conference ended. A.C.T.A.R. accredited reconstructionists, benefit from:

• Continued professional development and growth
• Confidence in their reconstruction abilities
• Inclusion in the A.C.T.A.R. directory
• Inclusion in an electronic database
• Compliance with the A.C.T.A.R. code of conduct
• Standards set by 24 professional reconstruction organizations
• The only broad-based, objective and meaningful standards available by the legal and scientific community

Using OSCR360 for Crash Reconstruction

OSCR360 is not just a crime and crash scene camera. OSCR360 allows you to capture collision and crime scenes in full 360 degrees, as they were seen by the investigator. Quickly and easily take 360 crash photos inside a vehicle, at the scene or use the 25 foot mega-mast for aerial photos. No training is required (unlike drones and laser scanners).
Next, use the OSCR360 software to attach multi-media evidence files including; DLSR photos, video surveillance footage, 911 recordings, dispatch records, witness testimony, hospital records, overlay crash sketches and more. Didn’t get a 360 photo, but need to add an evidence file down the street or around the corner from your crash? No problem – just add a direct point of interest. Add in the data you need to close the case. The OSCR software is simple and easy to use.
OSCR allows you to capture, preserve and present a more comprehensive and accurate representation of a crash scene and the environment it occurred in.
OSCR360 was built from the voice of Law Enforcement Officers, Reconstructionists and Prosecuting Attorneys. The OSCR360 equipment is economical and priced to fit the budget of any municipality. Click here to learn more about OSCR360.