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Computers are a fact of life, but like a lot of other facts of life, some
of us try to pretend they don't apply to us! I was certainly not a pioneer
in the usage of computers for accident reconstruction. A lot of reluctance
resulted from my general ignorance of how to use them and how much time
and effort they would ultimately save. Least of all did I understand the
whole new, expanded, area of expertise and competence they would lend to
my business.
Ultimately, as my competition began using more and more computer generated
information against me, I had to accept the absolute necessity of becoming
computer literate, both to check the accuracy of my own reconstruction work
as well as that of others.
Surprisingly, it didn't hurt, and it wasn't costly! After a relatively short
time spent with two highly recommended books, Computers for Dummies and
PCs for Dummies, I was on my way. I would estimate that now we use some
form of computer generated information in about 80% of all accident cases
we work and 100% of all our reconstruction work.
As with many other technical advances, your ability to utilize the various
software programs in your business is limited by your skill level and your
budget. The following review of available programs will assist you in developing
the computer materials that are best suited to your practice:
STARS
Soft-Tec Computer Services, Inc.
3663 Brookland Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76116
Ph: (817)560-7201
STARS is without a doubt the most user friendly of all programs on the market.
Simple, complete and does just about everything you will ever need to do
in this field. STARS provides you with formulas and computations for locked
wheel stop with skidmarks, critical curve speed, fall/vault, time &
distance, radius of curvature, tangent offset equation, and quadratic equation,
etc. With STARS, you submit what you know and then you know what you can
find out from the programs. It's as simple as it gets. Another good feature
is that the workbook which comes with it has all the formulas and their
explanation printed out.
EXPERT AUTOSTATS
4N6XPRT Systems
8367 University Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91941
Supplies vehicle data on over 15,000 cars, pickups, vans and utility vehicles,
1945-1994. You need enter only the manufacturer and year to obtain the wheelbase,
overall length, height, weight distribution, curb weight, width, drive wheels,
front/rear track. Mid 60s to present also provides front overhang, hood
height, bumper to ground, bumper to windshield, bumper height, turn circle,
wheel radius, ground to hood and sometimes the stability rating. These stats
are indispensable when trying to demonstrate such factors as crush in a
vehicle after impact or the angle of impact.
EXPERT VIN DECODER, produced by the same company, allows rapid "decoding"
of the information contained with the 17 character VIN numbers of cars,
vans, utility vehicles and light trucks, providing country of origin, manufacturer,
vehicle type, gross weight of the vehicle, line, series, body style, engine,
year, assembly plant. It also show whether the VIN number check digit is
valid. This service can be invaluable when starting to prepare a product
liability case.
ALTOOLS-EQUATIONS
ARSoftware
14844 NE 31st Circle
Redmond, WA 98052
Easy to use. Relatively simple to understand. Consists of commonly used
formulas to calculate speeds, ties, distances, acceleration rates, vault
speeds, and lateral curve problems. One unique feature is that you enter
the data directly into the equation and see the results immediately.
Also available from this company are:
ALTOOLS--LINEAR MOMENTUM which uses the principle of linear momentum to
calculate the impact speeds, speed changes and force angles of colliding
vehicles. With each new calculation, a vector diagram shows the complete
momentum problem. You choose the coordinate systems you like.
ALTRUCKS--BRAKE EFFICIENCY which calculates braking efficiency of any vehicle
with an air brake system, allowing you to determine how brake adjustment
and temperature affects stopping ability and vehicle behavior.
Prosource Software, 280 Woodland Drive, Park City, UT 84060-5152, has a
line of products available covering both light vehicle and heavy truck accidents:
LARM 11: combines all aspects of linear and rotational momentum with crush
energy in one easy to use program. Requires little computer literacy. Covers
single vehicle crashes against a solid object, head on and rearend collision,
side swipe collisions, two-vehicle oblique collision, two-vehicle crashes
when after impact date are available for one vehicle only, two vehicle crashes
where only angles rotated after impact are available. Also calculates energy
equivalent speeds, uses computer graphics to draw vehicle to vehicle impact
diagrams, and prints out all essential after impact data for specified impact
speeds.
Picking Your Package
There are a number of other similar programs on the market, all of which
advertise some "unique" aspect, and all of which are available
in different price ranges.
My advice is to send for their literature, use the sample discs, talk to
someone who has the program--then carefully weigh the cost against your
projected usage.
Most importantly, do not be fooled into thinking that owning a computer
package will make you a reconstruction expert! You must have the basic knowledge
required. The computer materials can, and will, raise your level of proficiency
and accuracy, but it will not compensate for basic lack of knowledge of
the principles of reconstruction.
Jack Murray, CLI, has been a member of NALI since 1984 and a member of NAIS
since 1991. He may be reached at: 3942 Rochelle, Dallas, TX 75220. Ph: (214)902-9156.
JACK MURRAY WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE 96 NAIS PI CONVENTION
REVIEW JACK MURRAY BOOK ON ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION
REVIEW JACK MURRAY BOOK ON INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
REVIEW JACK MURRAY BOOK ON SEX CRIMES INVESTIGATION
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