ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTIONISTS

The Stillwater Police Department (SPD) currently has five certified Accident Reconstructionists: Lt Bruce McDougal, Lt Ryan McCaghren, Master Patrol Officer II Scott Stookey, Master Patrol Officer Paul Blankinship, and Patrol Officer Jeff Dillon.

Activation
Although a supervisor may elect to deploy an Accident Reconstructionist to any serious accident scene, SPD does have standard procedures regarding the activation such as those incidents involving:

• Fatalities
• Serious and/or long-term injuries
• Serious property damage
• Physical evidence collection/investigation

In short, Accident Reconstructionists conduct technical investigations of motor vehicle accidents deemed to be of a serious nature. The type of investigation a Reconstructionist might conduct would depend on the details of each specific accident. Some of the investigative techniques include the collection of evidence (skid/gouge marks, paint transfer) and personal data (driver/passenger/vehicle information). The Reconstructionist then collates this data in the form of accident reports and scaled diagrams, thereby "reconstructing" the entire episode.

Selection and Training
Typically, any SPD Officer may apply for certification as an Accident Reconstructionist by making a request, in writing, to attend the various schools that are offered throughout the year. This request should include a resume’ of qualifications and experience, based on past training and/or accident investigations.

Once selected to become an Accident Reconstructionist, the Officer might initially attend the following schools (and respective topics):

• Scale Diagramming the Scene
• Basic Speed Calculations
• Practical Applications

• Combined Speed Calculations
• Basic Kinetic Energy Calculations
• Vault and Fall Calculations

• Linear Momentum Calculations
• Advanced Kinetic Energy Calculations
• Advanced Scale Diagramming
• Pedestrian/Vehicle Investigation

While the above is not a comprehensive list of training available for Accident Reconstructionists, it should provide you with a general understanding of the depth of specialized training that SPD Officers use in the investigation of serious accidents.

Thus, by providing technical investigators in the form of certified Accident Reconstructionists, SPD ensures the complete and timely investigation of all accidents, with attention to details and evidence.