Citation

Greear C, Thornburg D, DeChant L. Collision 2011; 6(1): 40-48.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Collision Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Close-range photogrammetry (CRP) techniques can be used to derive three-dimensional measurements from photos taken at a crash scene. This case study highlights how CRP was used to help determine the root cause of a fatal street race, in which two cars were racing and a third car was hit, resulting in a fatality. A digital camera and photogrammetry software was used to map the crash scene, which extended over 403 feet. Only 40 minutes were needed to process the scene using photogrammetry, with another 3 hours of office work to fully map and diagram the scene. In addition to mapping the crash scene, CRP also allowed for the three-dimensional measurement of the vehicle profiles. This data provided the needed distances to complete the so-called "speed triangle" (momentum, energy and the powertrain control module) for accurate accident reconstruction.