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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 | |