Vehicle Event Data Recorders contain a wealth of data a qualified accident reconstructionist can use to support their crash event analysis.
1. Most, but not all, recently manufactured passenger vehicles and light and heavy trucks have some type of recorded data. The nature of the data varies depending on the system. There are several types of modules and devices that may contain this evidence. Technicians and analysts must know how to access and image each of these modules or devices.
2. Retrieving this data (a process known as imaging) requires specialized hardware and software and expertise that must be obtained from specialized training.
3. To avoid spoliation issues, technicians must know and practice forensic data evidence-processing procedures.
4. There are ways that data can be inadvertently overwritten, erased, or destroyed after an event. Litigators and insurance adjusters must know how this can occur to ensure the data is preserved.
5. Because the stored data is intended to be used by automotive specialist, analysts must understand how the data is acquired, processed and classified. They must understand vehicle control systems and vehicle dynamics. To ensure their data interpretation is valid they must be able to provide independent corroboration. This requires analysts to have expertise in crash reconstruction.
It takes qualified technicians and analysts to retrieve, interpret and analyze the forensic data stored in the modules. Wolf’s technicians and engineers are trained and experienced in working with all of these issues. We are available to travel anywhere we are needed. In Indiana, Wolf provides fixed-fee downloads with photos and a summary report starting at $500. Download a flyer (pdf) and learn more about our EDR services.