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| Why Investigate Accidents? | |
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| Economic Costs | |
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| Human Costs | |
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| Causes of Accidents | |
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| Methods Used to Estimate Costs | |
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| Economic | |
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| Comprehensive | |
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| How to Reduce Vehicular Injuries | |
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| Reasons for Investigating Vehicular Accidents | |
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| Investigative Organizations | |
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| Databases for Road Conditions and Use of Restraint Systems | |
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| Prevention and Elimination of On-the-Job Injuries | |
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| Criminal and Civil Litigation | |
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| References | |
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| Where Do I Start? | |
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| Requirements for Accident Investigators/Reconstructionists | |
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| Sources of Additional Training | |
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| Basic Knowledge for the Investigator | |
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| Fresh Scenes | |
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| Stale or Aged Scenes | |
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| References | |
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| Tools and Special Equipment for the Investigator | |
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| Preparation | |
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| Basic Tool Kit | |
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| Special Equipment | |
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| Photographic Equipment | |
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| Video Equipment | |
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| Special Safety Equipment or Gear | |
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| Office Equipment | |
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| Computer Needs | |
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| Printer Needs | |
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| Computer Programs | |
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| Ownership of Documentation | |
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| Ownership of Evidence | |
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| Technical Library | |
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| Internet | |
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| Scene Investigation | |
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| Collisions--Vehicular | |
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| Accident Scene | |
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| Urban Setting | |
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| Rural Setting | |
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| On-Scene Sketches | |
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| Methods for Plotting a Curve | |
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| Visualization | |
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| Traffic Light Timing | |
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| Tire Marks | |
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| Real-World Scene Photographs | |
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| Water on or over the Roadway | |
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| The Vehicle Exterior | |
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| Memorializing Accident Vehicles | |
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| Videotaping at Accident Scene | |
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| Using Still or 35-mm Camera at Accident Scene | |
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| Exterior Details to Be Noted and Recorded | |
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| Metal Folds | |
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| Paint Transfers | |
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| Weld or Base Metal Separation and Rust | |
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| Scrapes, Gouges, and Scratches | |
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| Aluminum vs. Steel Wheels | |
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| Tires | |
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| Missing or Misplaced Components | |
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| Underside of Vehicle and Use of Tow Trucks | |
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| Fluid Leaks | |
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| Headlights, Taillights, and Side Marker Lights | |
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| Unexplained Damage | |
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| Vehicle Deterioration and Rusting | |
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| Vehicle Interiors | |
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| Collisions--Occupant | |
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| Obvious Interior Deformation | |
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| Windshields | |
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| Rear Windows | |
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| Instrument Panels | |
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| Steering Columns | |
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| Steering Wheel Rims | |
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| Sun Visors | |
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| T-Tops, Moon Roofs, and Sunroofs | |
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| Rearview Mirrors | |
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| Seat Cushions and Seatbacks | |
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| Headrests | |
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| Less Obvious Interior Deformation | |
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| Moldings | |
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| Checklists | |
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| Types of Impacts as Related to Interior Deformation | |
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| Side Impacts | |
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| Rear Impacts | |
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| Rollovers | |
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| Smears and Blood Pooling | |
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| Comment on Restraint Systems | |
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| References | |
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| Restraining Systems | |
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| Standard Restraint Devices | |
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| Shoulder/Lap Belts | |
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| Air Bags or Supplemental Systems | |
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| New Developments | |
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| Restraint Devices for Special Occupants | |
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| Pregnant Women | |
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| Children | |
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| Converted Vehicles for the Handicapped | |
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| Vehicle and Occupant Accident Investigation Forms | |
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| Vehicle Data | |
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| Tire Data | |
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| Exterior Damage Sketches | |
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| Damage Measurements | |
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| Occupant Area Intrusions | |
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| Internal Damage Sketches | |
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| Internal Contacts | |
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| Interior Seats, Headrests, and Steering Wheel and Column | |
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| Seat Belts and Air Bags | |
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| Occupant Information and Injury Data | |
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| Soft Tissue Injuries | |
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| Internal Injuries | |
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| Skeletal Injuries | |
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| Injury Mechanisms | |
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| Notes and Injury Countermeasures | |
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| Occupant Kinematics | |
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| Terminology Definitions | |
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| Basic Systems of the Human Body | |
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| Skeletal System | |
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| Muscular System | |
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| Nervous System | |
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| Cardiovascular System | |
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| Visceral System | |
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| Anthropomorphic Dummies | |
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| Impact Acceleration | |
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| Linear Acceleration | |
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| Positive Direction Coordinates | |
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| Rotational Directional Coordinates | |
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| Caudocephalad Acceleration (+G[subscript x]) | |
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| Actual Incidences of Vertebral Injury | |
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| Experimental Studies | |
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| Impact Acceleration to the Lower Limbs | |
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| Impact Acceleration to the Head and Face | |
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| Facial Impact Acceleration | |
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| Impact Acceleration to the Neck | |
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| Impact Acceleration to the Chest | |
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| Longitudinal Acceleration (+g[subscript x] and -g[subscript x]) | |
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| Forward Acceleration (+g[subscript x]) | |
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| Backward Acceleration (-g[subscript x]) | |
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| General Physiological Effects | |
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| Lap Belt Injuries in Aircraft and Automotive Accidents | |
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| Occupant Injuries | |
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| Cadaver Experiments | |
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| Anthropomorphic Dummies | |
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| Large Animal Experiments | |
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| Actual Injury Reports | |
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| Lateral Acceleration (+g[subscript y] and -g[subscript y]) | |
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| Lateral Impacts--Animal Experiments, Lap Belt Only | |
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| Anthropomorphic Dummy Experiments | |
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| Volunteer Experiments--Full Restraint | |
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| Combination Lap and Shoulder Belt | |
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| Summary | |
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| Accident Reconstruction | |
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| How to Become an Accident Reconstructionist | |
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| How is a Reconstructionist Defined? | |
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| How to go about Starting the Reconstruction | |
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| Sample Case | |
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| What Was Learned? | |
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| What Was Required to Solve the Case? | |
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| What Happens When Details are Insufficient to Prove the Hypothesis? | |
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| Severity Indices | |
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| Traffic Accident Data Index | |
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| Scale Validation | |
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| Vehicle Deformation Index | |
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| Requirements for a Deformation Index | |
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| Description of the Vehicle Deformation Index | |
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| Conclusion | |
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| Development of a Medically Acceptable Injury Scale | |
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| A Review of the Present Scales | |
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| American Medical Association Abbreviated Injury Scale | |
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| Injury Scale Uses | |
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| A Detailed Injury Scale for Accident Investigation | |
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| Definition of Detailed Injury Criteria | |
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| Accident Data | |
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| Conclusions | |
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| Discussion | |
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| References | |
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| Motorcycle Accidents | |
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| Factors Involved | |
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| Size of Vehicles | |
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| Headlights and Taillights | |
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| Details to Be Investigated | |
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| Braking System of Motorcycle | |
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| Witness Marks on Accident Site | |
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| Witness Marks on Motorcycle | |
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| Measurement of Angle of Impact | |
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| Oil Trail | |
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| Determination of the Motorcyclist's Point of Impact | |
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| Motorcyclist's Helmet | |
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| Inspection of Inoperative or Deformed Motorcycle Components | |
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| Determination of Velocity of Motorcycle at Impact by Alternative Method | |
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| References | |
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| Pedestrian Accidents | |
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| Details to be Determined | |
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| Direct Impacts from Front of Vehicle | |
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| Pattern of Injury to Pedestrian | |
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| Determining Pedestrian Rotation | |
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| Impacts to Vehicle Windshield | |
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| Dents in Vehicle Exterior | |
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| Sideswipe Type of Impact | |
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| Comparison of Vehicle Exterior Surfaces | |
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| Rearview Mirrors | |
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| Determination of Pedestrian's Walking or Running Speed | |
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| Determination of Distance Pedestrian Is Thrown | |
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| Determination of Impact Velocity | |
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| Witness Statements | |
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| Scale Drawings, Surrogates, Animations, and Computer Simulations in Preparing Exhibits | |
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| Developing Exhibits | |
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| Photographs | |
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| Scale Drawings | |
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| Measurements | |
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| Surrogates | |
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| Animations | |
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| Computer Simulations | |
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| Conclusions | |
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| Mathematical Analysis | |
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| Linear Motion with Constant Acceleration | |
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| Definition of Terms | |
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| Perception and Reaction Time | |
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| Coefficient of Friction | |
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| Drag Factor | |
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| A Detailed Description of Figure 15.1 | |
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| Problem One | |
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| A Detailed Description of Figure 15.2 | |
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| Problem Two | |
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| Appendix 15.1 Equation Workbook | |
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| A Detailed Look at Appendix 15.1 | |
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| Distance Equations | |
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| Velocity Equations | |
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| Momentum Equations | |
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| Sources of Information | |
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| Weather Sources | |
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| Meteorology Experts | |
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| Vision and Lighting Experts | |
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| Vehicle Statistics | |
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| Accident Intersection Data | |
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| State Highway Department Photographs | |
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| Construction Zone | |
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| Power and Telephone Poles | |
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| State Maintenance Records, Roads, and Trucks | |
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| Aerial Photographs | |
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| Vehicle Information | |
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| Full Size Body in White Drawings | |
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| Preproduction Defect Reports | |
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| Warranty Reports | |
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| Customer Service Bulletins | |
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| Recall Campaigns | |
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| Endurance Testing | |
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| Laboratory Testing | |
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| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Test Results | |
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| Barrier Crash Tests | |
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| Independent Agencies | |
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| Database Analysis | |
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| Medical and Scientific Journals | |
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| Data Research Companies | |
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| Human Factor Data | |
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| Trade Associations | |
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| Professional Associations | |
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| Deposition and Courtroom Appearance | |
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| Expert Witness and Use of Videotape Recordings | |
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| Major Studies | |
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| Expert Witness's Use of Videotape | |
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| Pros and Cons of Videotape | |
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| Nonverbal Communication in Expert Testimony | |
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| Pretrial Preparation | |
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| Physical Appearance | |
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| Establishing Qualifications | |
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| How to Describe the Research | |
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| Video--Visual Aids | |
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| Briefly State Overall Conclusion--Then Explain | |
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| Transcending Your Ego | |
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| Hypothetical Questions | |
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| Cross-Examination | |
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| Handling Attack | |
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| Summary | |
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| Nature of Jury Response to the Expert Witness | |
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| Source Credibility | |
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| Conclusion | |
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| References | |
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| Educating the Client | |
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| Technology and Basic Language | |
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| Terminology | |
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| Preparation for Deposition | |
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| Mutual Building of Trust and Understanding | |
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| Interrogatories | |
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| Discovery | |
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| Questions about the Scene and Vehicle | |
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| Unusual Case Histories | |
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| Injury to Cervical Airway | |
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| Dragging Death | |
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| Suicide by Self-Decapitation | |
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| Summary | |
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| References | |
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| Ethics | |
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| Derivations and Definitions | |
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| Recommended Text on Ethics | |
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| The First Commandment--Your Ear Shall Hear; Your Eyes Shall See | |
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| The Second Commandment--Do Not Utter a False Report | |
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| The Third Commandment--Do No Unrighteousness in Weights and Measures | |
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| The Fourth Commandment--Love Your Neighbor as Yourself | |
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| The Fifth Commandment--Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly | |
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| The Sixth Commandment--Bring Healing and Cure | |
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| The Seventh Commandment--You Shall Surely Tithe | |
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| The Eighth Commandment--Remember the Sabbath | |
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| The Ninth Commandment--Acquire Wisdom | |
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| The Tenth Commandment--Know Before Whom You Stand | |
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| Suggested Conduct for Professional Investigators/Reconstructionists | |
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| References | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Index | |