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Police & ForensicsAt-Scene Steps
Twenty flashcards on how a city police department works a crash scene, from arrival to the supervisor's review.
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20 cards
- Three crashes that always need a full investigation and report?
- Death or injury, property damage over $1,000, and hit and run.
- Three more triggers for a mandatory report?
- A driver impaired by alcohol or drugs, hazardous materials, or a city vehicle involved.
- And the last ones on the list?
- Damage to public vehicles or property, a fight between the parties, major traffic congestion, or a vehicle that needs towing.
- Crash on private property with one of those factors?
- It is investigated and reported as if it happened on a public roadway.
- Minor damage under $1,000 and the drivers only want to swap details?
- Officers do not encourage it, and a report is taken if any driver asks.
- Who investigates the crash by default?
- The officer first dispatched to the scene by Communications.
- First two actions on arrival?
- Park the police vehicle to protect the scene and the people, using emergency equipment, then find and care for the injured.
- Next two actions?
- Check for fire hazards or hazardous materials, and call fire and EMS as needed.
- Who is in charge of the scene?
- The first assigned officer, until a supervisor arrives; the supervisor may hand it to an accident investigator.
- Which specialists can the supervisor call in?
- Accident investigator, crash reconstruction officer, forensic scan team, ARIDE officer or Drug Recognition Expert.
- Who gets interviewed, and what gets checked?
- All drivers and witnesses; license, registration and insurance are checked in the state systems.
- Crash causing major congestion: what comes first?
- Check the injured, then get traffic under control so no more crashes happen, then resume the investigation.
- Crash with a fight between the parties?
- Separate them; Communications sends at least two officers, and the normal steps follow once it is calm.
- Fatal or serious injury crash: first officers do what?
- Give first aid as needed, then secure the scene and the witnesses; the shift supervisor always responds.
- Fatal crash: what does the detective office handle?
- Photos, forensic evidence including video, search warrants for physical evidence, statements and contact with the family.
- When is a suspect interviewed in a fatal crash?
- After the alcohol or drug testing is finished.
- Deadline for the early notification of a fatal crash?
- 24 hours by fax to the DMV, or 48 hours when sent electronically from the reporting software.
- Hit and run: what goes into the report?
- All investigative steps, partial plates and the direction of travel, after broadcasting the suspect and vehicle.
- Cargo truck with a possible hazardous spill: how do you approach?
- From upwind, avoiding the material, using the DOT Emergency Response Guide, and calling the fire department.
- When are the crash reports turned in?
- Before the end of the shift; the shift supervisor checks them for accuracy and completeness before the shift ends.
Official sources
Albany (NY) Police Department
General Order 3.4.10: Traffic Collision Investigations
Making Synapses is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by NHTSA, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the Albany Police Department or any law enforcement agency. Agency and form names are named only to describe the content.