There are a couple of associations that can ensure this.\u00a0 I was impressed by\u00a0the “science-based” nature of one.\u00a0 And its\u00a0support of\u00a0another that has a well developed and internationally accepted accreditation program for investigators.<\/p>\n
You might consider ensuring\u00a0the expert you retain to investigate a traffic accident belongs to both groups, or your “generalist”\u00a0forensic engineer\u00a0retains one who does.\u00a0(Ref. 1) Same as you would expect your engineering, medical, accounting, architectural, etc. expert to be registered with a recognized association.<\/p>\n
CATAIR<\/strong>, the Canadian Association of\u00a0Technical Accident Investigators and Reconstructionists is a support group of\u00a0traffic accident\u00a0investigators.\u00a0\u00a0It was\u00a0formed to provide a professional and affordable\u00a0way of\u00a0meeting and sharing experiences and ideas.<\/p>\n CATAIR\u00a0was incorporated\u00a0in B.C. in 1984 and nationally in 1991.\u00a0 Ken Zwicker, Nova Scotia, current chairman for the Atlantic region, has served on the national executive since the group’s inception.\u00a0 Membership consists of\u00a0police officers, former officers,\u00a0and consultants of various stripes from across Canada, the U.S. and overseas.<\/p>\n I learned about this group when I conferred with a RCMP officer in\u00a0connection with a slip and fall accident that I was investigating.\u00a0\u00a0He is a member of CATAIR.\u00a0\u00a0Members use some techniques\u00a0similar to those I do when investigating accidents.<\/p>\n I have a general\u00a0interest in how different groups investigate technical issues\u00a0in their work, and how these techniques might be adapted\u00a0to forensic engineering investigation –\u00a0science in general, crime, medicine, etc., and now traffic accidents.<\/p>\n The Atlantic region meets\u00a0quarterly\u00a0and I started attending as a guest.\u00a0 The next meeting is this Friday in Dartmouth.\u00a0 There’s often a technical session and field day during the meeting.\u00a0 The association investigates test\u00a0procedures and calibrates testing equipment during these sessions.\u00a0 Seeing this during my visits revealed the science-based nature of the group.\u00a0 Just what you want in your experts and their associations.<\/p>\n The meeting on Friday will:<\/p>\n The national annual general meeting was held in Dartmouth last fall.\u00a0 I attended a meet-and-greet and chatted with members from across Canada and\u00a0the U.S.\u00a0 These are well experienced traffic accident investigators, and some\u00a0have gone\u00a0on to train people on how to\u00a0prevent accidents.\u00a0 Examinations were held during the AGM for investigators who wanted to be accredited as meeting a minimum standard.<\/p>\n ACTAR<\/strong>, the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction,\u00a0an international group formed in 1991, promotes recognition of minimum standards for traffic accident reconstruction.\u00a0 To that end the commission\u00a0developed a multi-part accreditation examination.\u00a0 It’s one of\u00a0the most comprehensive examinations I’ve seen outside of a\u00a0university engineering program.<\/p>\n Applicants must meet certain standards of education and experience.\u00a0 They\u00a0are then required to complete separate theoretical and practical examinations covering more than 10 topics for each.\u00a0 The topics focus on the\u00a0math, physics and field testing and evaluation in traffic accident investigation.\u00a0 The examinations are taken in different levels and you progress through these to become accredited.<\/p>\n ACTAR’s examinations are so\u00a0comprehensive that a mini\u00a0industry has developed to prepare applicants to take the exams covering topics like the following:<\/p>\n Accredited\u00a0investigators have successfully completed the examination and are properly trained and experienced in accident reconstruction.\u00a0 Status in ACTAR is maintained after completing the initial examination by obtaining a minimum number of continuing education units over a five year period.\u00a0 The continuing education we must all embrace in our professions.<\/p>\n This is not to say that traffic accident investigators who have not done the examination are not qualified.\u00a0 I know of at least two that certainly are qualified.\u00a0 What it does do is demonstrate to the public and\u00a0the justice system that\u00a0your expert’s qualifications have been “peer reviewed”.\u00a0 This\u00a0might be\u00a0important in some cases.<\/p>\n You can visit these groups at www.catair.net<\/a> and\u00a0www.actar.org<\/a><\/p>\n Reference<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are a couple of associations that can ensure this.\u00a0 I was impressed by\u00a0the “science-based” nature of one.\u00a0 And its\u00a0support of\u00a0another that has a well developed and internationally accepted accreditation program for investigators. You might consider ensuring\u00a0the expert you retain … Continue reading \n
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