DVE Collision and incident reconstructions are conducted using scientific and engineering analysis techniques. Such analysis draws on both relevant expert knowledge and experience in impact analysis, vehicle behaviour and their interaction with the road environment.

The process involves piecing together all of the available evidence - small fragments of physical evidence, witness accounts, medical reports - to arrive at sound conclusions as to the cause of the incident and any contributing factors.

Some of the relevant elements of collision analysis and reconstruction include:

Vehicle Dynamics

The movement of a vehicle, pre and post collision, can assist in determining the cause. This can be determined from a strong understanding of the action of forces in producing or changing motion and the relationship between speed, time and distance. The "critical speeds" for vehicles in curves, rolling over, or leaving roadways can also be calculated.

Impact Damage Analysis

Impact velocities can be estimated from the level of deformation of a vehicle structure. Approach angles can be resolved based on the vehicle damage deformation profile.

Road Design

The analysis of road design and environmental factors forms a key part of many of DVE’s crash investigations. Detailed site surveys are an integral component of DVE’s approach to accident reconstruction.   

Sight Distance and Visibility

The ability of a driver to perceive and react to a potential hazard can be highly dependant on the prevailing atmospheric and geometric conditions. Accurate measurements combined with time/distance analysis can be used to determine the visibility and potential for collision avoidance.

Occupant Kinematics/Kinetics and Seat Belt Analysis

The study and interpretation of occupant motion in vehicle collisions can be used to determine a potential driver and the position of occupants prior to a collision. Use of seatbelts and injury related issues can also be determined.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Related Crashes

Vehicle speeds can be determined from injuries sustained and throw distances of pedestrians and cyclists. “Dart-out” scenarios and time/distance relationships can be used to determine the prospect for collision avoidance.

Forensic Examination of Vehicles and Scenes

Vehicles and collision scenes can be forensically examined to collect physical evidence to determine:

• impact speeds
• damage matching
• fraud detection (i.e. staged collisions)
• “lamp-on” analysis
• tyre mark identification and interpretation
• scene identification (did it really happen there?)

Seatbelt examination is also available to determine usage.

Tyre Examination

Tyres are critical vehicle components and may cause or contribute to the occurrence of an accident. Even where it appears incident circumstances are quite clear, an assessment of the tyres’ contribution may still be required. DVE offers a full range of tyre examination services, including low cost roadworthy compliance and “blow-out” examinations through to x-ray and microscopic examination of the tyre’s construction by our materials experts.

Tyre Mark and Road Friction Analysis

Tyre marks can be interpreted to determine vehicle behaviour and speed. Combined with the examination of vehicle tyres and the road surface, tyre marks can be used to quite accurately calculate vehicle speeds and motion.