← Making Synapses
Making Synapses · Bringing Knowledge to Mankind

Police & ForensicsInterviewing drivers and witnesses

You investigate a crash and need every account of what happened. You interview all the drivers, get the identification and statements of the witnesses, attach the statements to the report and send the originals to evidence. It is the interview procedure of the Albany Police Department (New York) general order on traffic collision investigations.

Free to start
Better than a PDF: practice it live with Blocky See how it works

Scenarios

  • A crash investigated at the scene.
  • A delayed report: the parties already left the scene.
  • A fatal crash with a suspect driver.
  • A hit and run where the owner of the suspect vehicle admits it was involved but denies driving it.

The steps

  1. Interview every driver.
  2. Get the identification and statements of the witnesses.
  3. Collect all the information needed to handle the investigation and prepare the report.
  4. Attach a copy of the supporting depositions and statements to the crash report.
  5. Place the original statements and depositions into evidence.
  6. In a crash with hazardous materials, interview the driver to learn what the material is and whether the vehicle shows the right placards.
  7. In a fatal crash, detectives secure the statements, and the suspect is interviewed only after alcohol or drug testing is complete.
  8. In a hit and run with the suspect vehicle found empty, try to locate the driver, the passengers or witnesses and get their statements.
  9. If the owner of the suspect vehicle admits it was involved but denies driving or refuses to name the driver, complete the vehicle section of the report and reference the owner's statement in the narrative.
  10. In a delayed report, interview all drivers before completing the report, note on it that you were not at the scene, and note any discrepancy between their accounts when no definite cause can be found.

To pass

  • A delayed report is taken only when an accurate account of what happened can be obtained, within the applicable time frames.
  • The report stays objective: every driver is heard before it is completed.

Official source

Albany Police Department · General Order 3.4.10

General Order 3.4.10: Traffic Collision Investigations

The City of Albany publishes its police general order on traffic collision investigations free: the scene steps, the reports and who reviews them.

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.

Better than a PDF: practice it live with BlockyAll the steps of the district