Explore how science is used in the road traffic collision investigation process

BTEC Assignment Brief
Qualification BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science
Unit 26: Forensic Traffic Accident Investigation
Unit number and title
Learning aim(s) (For B: Explore how science is used in the road traffic collision
NQF only) investigation process
Assignment title Using science in road traffic collision investigations
S. Barnes
Assessor
Muhammed Zain Gorji
Learner Name
09/05/2022
Issue date
20/05/2022
Hand in deadline



You are a trainee Traffic Collision Investigator at the
Highways agency. Your supervisor has asked you to
Vocational Scenario or produce a report into the scientific principles involved in the
Context road traffic collision investigations you have been involved
with. This report will then be given to future new trainees as
part of their induction.

Task 1 Produce a written report explaining, discussing and
analysing the scientific principles and factors that are used
in road traffic collision investigations. You will need to use
equations to calculate distance, velocity and acceleration.


● Outline the most common techniques used by traffic
collision investigators to investigate road traffic
collisions and explain the scientific principles used in
each technique.

● Using scientific techniques, investigate practically
human reaction time.

● Discuss and analyse, using scientific detail, the
interrelationship between scientific factors used to
determine the cause and the effect in road traffic
collision investigations.

, Task 2 Complete the worksheet which will show you ability to use
and apply the equations of motion.

● Using the equations below, calculate distance,
velocity and acceleration to determine the speed of
the vehicles before the collision in each of the
scenarios. Show all of your working and the
appropriate scientific unit(s).
v = u + at
s = ut + 1 at2
2
v2 = u2 + 2as
Velocity: v = s/t


Checklist of evidence A written report to include:
required ● A discussion and analysis into the relationship
between scientific factors in road traffic accident
investigations.
● An outline of common techniques used to investigate
road traffic collisions and explanation of the scientific
principles of each.
● Calculations of motion, velocity and coefficient of
friction to determine the speed before the collision in
traffic collision scenarios (this is on a separate task
sheet)
Criteria covered by this task:
Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference
Analyse the interrelationship between scientific factors in determining
B.D2
causes and the effect in road traffic collision investigations.
Discuss the scientific factors associated with the investigation of road
B.M2
traffic collisions.
Calculate velocity and use the coefficient of friction to determine the
B.P3
speed of vehicles before a collision from collision scenarios.
Explain why science is used in the investigation of the causes of road
B.P2
traffic collisions.
Sources of information Textbooks
to support you with
this Assignment Burke, M.P., Forensic Medical Investigation of Motor Vehicle
Incidents, CRC Press, 2006 (ISBN: 9780849378591).
Cooper, S. and Orme, M., Blackstone’s Police Manual 2008
Volume 3: Road Policing, Oxford University Press, 2007
(ISBN: 9780199229260).

James, S.H. and Nordby, J.J. (editors), Forensic Science: An
Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, CRC
Press, 2002 (ISBN: 9780849312465).

Noon, R.K., Forensic Engineering Investigation, CRC Press,
2000 (ISBN: 9780849309113).
Van Kirk, D.J., Vehicular Accident Investigation and
Reconstruction, CRC Press, 2000 (ISBN: 9780849320200).