If you're not on facebook, you can still follow along with the day's recon-tidbit by scrolling down on our website's front page. The past few days seem to be all you can view there, but it's better access than nothing. We recently had a bicycle-related post that got hundreds of comments. Not all of them constructive. This is the interwebs, I guess.

Some time back, I assembled a database of all the articles which have appeared in ARJ & AIQ and a few other places. It includes titles, authors, keywords, my subjective value assessment, and sometimes a little description of what the article contains. Andy Rich was kind enough to provide the programming script to search by either author or keywords. I have updated the list to include the latest ARJ (#200). The Excel file is in the Reference Library. Peace. -W

AnalyzerPro has just offered NAPARS members a 30% discount (50€ or about $54) on their 1-2 hour seminars coming up in May (3D Photogrammetry with Agisoft, offered twice) and April (Basic recon with AnalyzerPro, offered 4 times) Both courses will be held online via Zoom. https://analyzer.at/en/seminare/ AnalyzerPro is a fairly comprehensive package for crash analysis that has been around for decades, mostly in Europe. They are looking to expand in the US market. I will probably take them up on at least one of them just to stay informed of what's out there. The classes are listed in the NAPARS website event page, but registration is at their website.

"Illuminating the Truth: A Systematic Approach to Nighttime Crash Scene Investigation"", 2 hours with Dr. Jeffrey Muttart via Zoom

Our speaker will be Dr. Muttart, the Director of Research and Training at the Driver Research Institute, LLC, in CT, USA. Learn more at their website: https://driverresearchinstitute.com/

DATE: Thursday, 04 January 2024
TIME: 12 noon - 2 pm Eastern Standard Time
COST: Free for NAPARS member;  $5 for non-members
LOCATION: Worldwide Via Zoom

ACTAR: This event will be submitted to ACTAR for CEU consideration.

Registered attendees will be able to request an  attendance certificate.

OUTLINE:

 1. Introduction

     Overview: Importance of accurate nighttime crash scene documentation

     Objective: Teach investigators to avoid biases and ensure fairness in documentation

2. Understanding Nighttime Visibility

     The challenge of nighttime investigations

     Common misconceptions about visibility at night

     Realities of driver perception vs. pedestrian/investigator assumptions

3. The Role of Bias in Crash Investigation

     How prior knowledge can skew perceptions

     Recognizing and mitigating investigator bias

     Case studies: Biased vs. unbiased investigation outcomes

4. Signal Detection Theory in Crash Investigations

     Explaining the basics of signal detection theory

     Application in analyzing crash scenarios

     Contrasting results: With and without signal detection theory application

5. The CAPLETS Approach

     Introduction to CAPLETS: Contrast, Anticipation, Pattern, Lighting, Eccentricity, Time of Exposure, Size

     How each factor influences crash scene visibility

     Applying CAPLETS for comprehensive scene analysis

6. Hands-on Techniques for Scene Documentation

     "At-scene approach": Practical steps for on-site investigation

     Using a contrast gradient target: Ensuring image accuracy

     Effective methods for taking light meter readings

     Incorporating artificial light sources: Headlights and streetlights

7. Developing Best Practices

     Rules of thumb for nighttime investigation

     Checklist for investigators

     Avoiding common pitfalls

8. Concluding Thoughts

     The importance of objective, systematic investigation

     Resources for further learning and practice

9. Workshop Activities

    Practical exercises on applying the CAPLETS approach.

    Simulated crash scene investigation

    Review and feedback session

10. Closing Remarks

     Final Q&A Session

     Reminder of investigator’s responsibility for unbiased documentation

The final ARJ for 2023 is Issue #198. It is on the way via email to all 1,409 NAPARS members. Yep, we broke the 1400 barrier! I have uploaded issue #197 to the Reference Library. If you download any of those PDFs, remember that they are copyrighted documents, and Victor has entrusted them to each of us. Please don't abuse that trust, thanks. Peace. -W

NAPARS is pleased to announce that Forensic Mapping Solutions is offering a $100 discount to NAPARS Members for registering for their Pix4D class being offered in Bristol, Tn. The class is scheduled for November 28 - 30, 2023. The link for registering is, https://forensicmappingsolutions.com/pix4d-training-bristol-tn-nov-28-30/.

                                                                 

Membership update:

The next Accident Reconstruction Journal will be coming out in the next week. Victor will be sending ARJ #197 to 1,382 NAPARS members. Of those, 582 self-identify as "Law Enforcement" (though many were former LE). 524 list an ACTAR number.

If you plan to attend this Friday's Zoom training, and are interested in claiming your 2 ACTAR CEUs, PLEASE READ THIS! Please make sure you have the latest version of the i-Attend software. In the past week the developer has added the ability to enter a alpha-numeric code as a backup. This option will be used if the QR-code fails, which has apparently suddenly become an issue. In order to minimize problems on Friday during the show, and maximize our presenter's time, please check now that when you open it up on your phone, it has a button to "SCAN QR CODE" and also a button to "ENTER PIN" (like the second screenshot below). My version apparently updated itself already - since when I checked the App-store earlier this afternoon, there was nothing for me to update, and I have this newer version already. Peace. -W If you no longer wish to receive these emails you can unsubscribe at any time.

Members should watch their email in the next couple days for the July/August issue of The Accident Reconstruction Journal, issue #196. I sent Victor (the publisher) our mailing list this morning. Peace. -Wade, admin.

The early registration deadline for the Sept.12-Sept.14 MATAI conference in Livonia MI, with 3 live crash tests and more is in 3 days! Visit www.matai.us/conferences for all the details!

Peace. -W