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This paper provides a protocol for the examination of school bus vehicles to support accident investigation and reconstruction. The topics covered are generally beyond what is normally conducted during a routine commercial motor coach accident investigation. Included are suggested points on administrative preparation, information research, logistics, examination equipment preparation, photography, and safety precautions. The examination protocol addresses inspection of the vehicle interior, under (front) hood, and exterior damage. Passenger compartment integrity and intrusion, occupant kinematic contact and evidentiary transfers, seating, and occupant restraint system components are addressed, along with evidentiary component recovery and packaging, for potential shipment to a laboratory.

This paper provides an accident investigation protocol for the examination of a vehicle having an inflatable restraint (air bag) system. The topics covered are beyond what is normally required for a routine vehicle examination. Included are points on administrative preparation, such as safety precautions, information research, logistics and equipment preparation, and photo documentation equipment. The examination protocol covers exterior damage, under hood inspection, and examination of the vehicle interior. Passenger compartment integrity, intrusion, occupant contact, evidentiary transfers, seating, seat belts, and components of the inflatable restraint system are addressed, along with component removal and recovery, for shipment to a laboratory.

This paper addresses key safety aspects of which the professional accident investigator should be aware while conducting an examination of a motor vehicle that has been potentially contaminated with bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens hazards are defined and identified, and the typical mechanisms of exposure, pathogen longevity (specific to the crashed vehicle environment), and the consequences of exposure are addressed. As advice on exposure avoidance, “universal precautions” are reviewed, which includes proper attire, appropriate safety equipment and basic safety procedures and technique. This paper concludes with a review of decontamination procedures, an employer's responsibility, and shipping of contaminated and decontaminated materials.

While examining a vehicle fitted with an inflatable restraint (air bag) system, an investigator may be exposed to certain hazards that he or she may not be aware of or not equipped to deal with. As information to help the investigator avoid pitfalls which may compromise safety and ultimately lead to an injury, this paper reviews three principal hazard potentials: exposure to bloodborne pathogens, exposure to toxic residue (fire-generated or post system deployment), and biomechanical blunt impact or laceration trauma (due to unintended system deployment).