Mastering Forensic Crash Investigation: The IBF Protocol

Identify volatile evidence at crash scenes first, including weather, final resting positions, bodily fluids and deposits inside vehicles, and extrication damage, since these elements can change with time.

the ibf protocol divides the scene investigation into four focus areas, prioritizing volatile evidence first and balancing short-term versus long-term evidence while using color-coded tasks for primary and secondary investigators.

Capture the first arrival image by photographing what you saw when you arrived, where you stopped, and the direction of the crash scene to provide a reliable, court-ready record.

Identify and locate the joint operational command (JOC) at a crash scene, report your role, and photograph the scene to support court testimony, ensuring scene control to avoid contamination.

Locate witnesses early by noting where they stood, what they were looking at, and what they were doing; photograph them and their vehicles, and collect names and contact details.

Photograph the primary evidence by capturing the major damage to each vehicle involved, noting locations such as left front or right rear, and avoid interior views or fine details.

Orient vehicles on the scene using road features and geometry, capturing multi-angle photos to show exact position and orientation for accurate post-collision reconstruction and primary evidence.

Orient victims at the collision scene and photograph their location to establish a clear path of travel, vehicle orientation, and mechanisms of injury for forensic analysis.

Photograph the spill extent, nature, and control efforts to curb contamination, and document fuels, chemicals, and vehicle fluids, as well as the exact location.

Identify construction, roadworks, and roadside activities as obstructions that can distract drivers and influence their actions. Learn how these factors contribute to collisions within the IBF protocol.

Photograph all debris and evidence at the scene, orient each item, and record specifics, including close-ups at night, then continue the primary investigation by photographing anything else relevant.

Identify and document other spills or evidence at a crash scene, scanning beyond primary evidence, recording what you observe as operations progress and vehicle damage is assessed.

Mark evidence after photographing a clean scene, then record vehicle positions and damage with color spray marks, using silver and yellow to note orientation under the Road Traffic Act.

Locate specialized units and secure their contact numbers for follow-up after a crash investigation. Photograph debris, chemical spills, and medical waste left at the scene to document cleanup and risk.

Photograph the vehicle from the side in perpendicular lines to determine its precise orientation, using environmental features and landmarks to reorient it accurately on the scene.

Photograph the extrication process to verify who came from which vehicle position, such as driver or passenger. Record clothing and other attributes like sex or race to support victim matching.

Photograph all possessions present in the vehicle at the crash scene, before removal, to establish a record and prevent later disputes over missing items.

Photograph every vehicle panel from the driver door clockwise around the car, including doors, flaps, LEDs, roof, boot, and bonnet, from multiple angles to capture both damage and undamaged areas.

This lecture covers structural and roof damages from vehicle collisions, stressing photographing the roof and superstructure to document both contact damages and damages from collision forces.

Photograph loads on trucks and semis without removal, and photograph bus interiors from front to back, noting damaged or missing seats as evidence of injuries.

Photograph interior contact surfaces from multiple angles after crashes to capture contact damages and movement of occupants, especially in severe crashes or overturns, to analyze cinematics and injuries.

Photograph the odometer reading inside the vehicle to capture mileage at the time of collision, noting service records and possible links between recent work and the crash.

Assess the brake system from pedals to wheel area, photograph key components (fluid reservoir, lines, ABS, calipers, pads, discs) for wear or damage, and avoid disengaging the handbrake.

Photograph the vehicle from an elevated position to gain a clear view of the scene and vehicles, and seek aerial perspectives from tow truck operators or fire department personnel.

Document victim movement paths, from approach to collision to final position, for pedestrians and riders, noting drag and skid marks and other evidence under the IBF protocol.

Photograph all intersection control elements from every angle, including signs and traffic lights with numbers. Capture and analyze traffic light cycles and timing, noting variations by time, date, and season.

Examine visual obstructions at crash scenes to determine drivers' and witnesses' sight lines, using varying camera heights to reveal poles, trees, or signs that blocked the approach path.

Assess pedestrian traffic at the time and conditions of a collision, comparing nights and scenes, and photograph pedestrians to illustrate driver responsibility and scene dynamics.

Forensic crash investigators evaluate pedestrian crossings and nearby pathways to infer a driver's state of mind and what they would have seen within 50–100 meters of a crossing.

Photograph witnesses at their exact positions and directions, have them return to the scene, and point toward evidence while you focus on the scene.

Photograph skid marks from start to end, walking length at intervals and capturing from both sides to orient the marks, photograph tyre marks, avoid zooming, and use a polarizing filter.

Identify the area of impact by examining tire marks, gouge marks, fluid spills, dirt on the road, and shoes or backpacks carried by pedestrians, then photograph from multiple angles.

Identify splash marks, dirt marks, and spill evidence on the road, assess their relation to the crash, and orient and place them accurately on the scene.

Identify and photograph traffic lights and utility poles with numbers or plaques to link them to the crash scene, recording pole numbers in sequence and noting orientation for the sketch.

Explore the IBF protocol for forensic crash investigation by walking the scene to identify and photograph any other relevant evidence, including distant signs and general elements, using initiative.

Document essential collision details, including case and accident report numbers, the attending unit, evidence custody, tow information, intoxication status, and charges or hit-and-run arrests.

Gather post-crash data on traffic offences, vehicle ownership, driving authorization, insurance, driver licenses, injuries, ambulance details, party counts, and contact info to establish liability under the IBF protocol.