Analyses

It is important to know in nearly every case the speeds of the vehicles involved. A related question, which is best answered with illustrations, is what are the locations of the vehicles at specified times before the crash. In other words, could the operators see one another and was the crash avoidable by a particular operator. Other commons questions are; was the action taken by a particular driver appropriate or not, was a pedestrian or bicyclist conspicuous under the existing lighting conditions or did mechanical failure play a role. Who was at fault? What were the speeds of the vehicles involved? These are but just a few of the questions that Northpoint Collision Consultants can solve for you.

 

Whatever the particulars of your case may be, it is our job to help you, and a judge and jury if necessary, understand how and why a collision occurred. Equally important is our responsibility to bring previously unidentified issues to the forefront and educate you on how and why a collision occurred. We will provide expert conclusions and opinions after pertinent information is obtained, either through documents gathered by other individuals or obtained through our technical investigative skills.   

 

The initial call cost you nothing, so call and ask what we can do to assist with your case.

Forensic Mapping of Crime and Collision Scenes

We at Northpoint Collision Consultants believe, and teach, that accurate scene documentation is crucial to a proper analysis. Erroneous data produces inaccurate results, which is why we emphasize this phase of the investigative process. In fact, we frequently identify errors in the documentation of measurements and the resulting diagrams and conclusions produced by police investigators.

 

Usually only a few accurate measurements are needed to solve simple questions, such as measuring the skid marks left on a roadway to determine a vehicle's speed. In situations such as this, measurements taken by hand are often sufficient. In more complex cases, particularly those that may require an extensive analysis and the production of a full-scale diagram of the scene, we recommend using state-of-the-art measuring devices, such as our TopCon Electronic Total Station survey equipment (the same type of instrument used by land surveyors).

 

We have extensive experience in the area of forensic mapping, not only with documenting vast crash scenes, but in processing major crime scenes as well. The majority of crime scenes we have processed were homicide and shooting scenes across New Hampshire.

Scale Diagrams and Exhibits

We really believe that "a picture is worth a thousand words," so creating a colorful depiction of a collision or a crime scene for use in the court room is essential, as is displaying "exploded" or magnified areas of a critical location or piece of evidence. And creating multiple acetate overlays to demonstrate step-by-step components of how a situation unfolded is equally important, especially when educating the judge or jury. Northpoint Collision Consultants uses three computer aided drafting and design programs (AutoCAD, Crash Zone and Micro Survey) to produce these custom high-end black and white or color digital illustrations. They can be printed in small or large scale formats and mounted if necessary.

 

Recently, Northpoint Collision Consultants undertook an aggressive initiative to provide our customers with photo-realistic modeling of crash and crime scenes using the state-of-the-art software 3dsMax by AutoDesk.

Models are especially useful in illustrating the depth and dimension of a crash or crime scene. Our architectural drafting and modeling experience provides us with the skills to create highly detailed three dimensional foam-core, cardboard and plastic models, which are particularly helpful when used to demonstrate interior dimensions of major crime scenes. They are essential in the analysis of cases involving firearms and shooting trajectories.

Vehicle Examinations

Vehicle damage, called contact and induced damage, speaks volumes of how a collision between two or more objects occurred. Not only does damage assist in analyzing vehicle speed, it is often essential in determining the angles of impact; in other words, was a vehicle side-swiped or was it broad-sided. And examining a vehicle is usually the only way to identify product or mechanical failure.

 

Distinguishing the driver from other occupants is occasionally necessary, and although the injuries sustained by the occupants assist with this endeavor, we recommend a vehicle examination to document collaborating damage to the interior components and to seize any trace evidence such as hair, fibers, blood or human tissue.

Simulated Reenactments

Forensic Photography

Animations

More and more our clients have asked us to provide them with animations for that "real time" video demonstration of our analysis. Previously, these services were contracted to outside sources; however, Northpoint Collision Consultants now has the ability to produce these high-end animations in house--and at a much lower cost. Please contact us to discuss your animation needs.