Get the Right Reconstruction Methodology for Your Needs
                     Armstrong Forensic 
Reconstruction
How a National Forensic 
Engineering Firm Can Help 
You
www. armstrongforensicreconstruction. com
V E H I C L E
A C C I D E N T  
R E C O N s T R U C T I O N
INTRODUCTION
Armstrong Forensic Reconstruction provide a wide range of services to help clients solve complex 
cases involving accidents, product failures, and other incidents. These firms employ a team of 
experienced engineers and scientists who have the expertise to investigate and analyze evidence, 
determine the cause of incidents, and develop expert reports and testimony.
National forensic engineering firms are often called upon to investigate high-profile 
cases, such as industrial accidents, aviation crashes, and building collapses. They also 
provide services to clients in a variety of other industries, including construction, 
manufacturing, and insurance.
Get the Right Reconstruction 
Methodology for Your Needs
Re c o n s t r u c t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  a re  t e c h n i q u e s  
u s e d  t o  re c re a t e  t h e  e v e n t s  t h a t  o c c u r re d  i n  a  
p a r t i c u l a r  p l a c e  a n d  t i m e .  T h e s e  
m e t h o d o l o g i e s  c a n  b e  u s e d  t o  i n v e s t i g a t e  
a c c i d e n t s ,  c r i m e s ,  a n d  o t h e r  i n c i d e n t s ,  a s  w e l l  
a s  t o  l e a rn  m o re  a b o u t  h i s t o r i c a l  e v e n t s  a n d  
a rc h a e o l o g i c a l  s i t e s .
The goa l  of a veh i c l e  a c c i d e n t  rec o n s t r u c t i o n  is 
to
give a t ru thfu l ,  ob jec t i ve  narrat ive  of w h a t  
t ransp i red  d u r i n g  the  co l l i s ion .  W h e n  assess ing  
fau l t  is cruc ia l ,
th i s  i n f o rm a t i o n  can  be  used  in  j ud i c i a l  
p roceed ings ,  i n su r ance  c la ims ,  a n d  o ther  
c i rcums tances .  Exper ts
can  d e t e rm i n e  poss ib l e  c o n t r i b u t i n g  var iab les  
to the crash,  such  as speed,  dr iver  behav ior ,  
a n d  road
cond i t i ons ,  by  reco n s t r u c t i n g  the  acc ident .
There are a variety of diff erent reconstruction 
methodologies, each with its own strengths and 
weaknesses. Some common reconstruction 
methodologies include:
• Photogrammetry:  Photogrammetry is  the process of  
creating 3D models f rom photographs.  This 
methodology can be used to reconstruct  the scene of  
an accident or  cr ime, as wel l  as to create 3D models 
of  h istor ical  s i tes and archaeological  art i facts.
• 3D scanning: 3D scanning is a technology that uses THE PROCESS OF 
sensors to create digital  representat ions of  objects.  
3D scanning can be used to create highly  accurate 3D 
models of  objects,  such as vehic le parts,  cr ime scene RECONSTRUCTION 
evidence,  and archaeological  art i facts.
• Vehic le event data recorders (VEDRs):  VEDR are METHODOLOGIES
devices that record vehic le speed, posi t ion,  and other 
data.  VEDR data can be used to reconstruct  the 
events leading up to and dur ing a vehic le accident.
• Witness statements:  Witness statements can be used 
to reconstruct  the events of  an accident or cr ime, as 
wel l  as to learn more about histor ical  events.
• Physical  evidence: Physical  evidence, such as t i re 
marks,  skid marks,  and bul let  holes,  can be used to 
reconstruct  the events of  an accident or  cr ime.
Some Examples of how reconstruction methodologies 
have been used to solve real-world problems:
Reconst ruc t ion  methodo log ies h a v e  b e e n  u s e d  t o  i n v e s t i g a t e  a i r c r a f t  
a c c i d e n t s .  Fo r  ex a m p l e ,  a f t e r  t h e  c r a s h  o f  M a l a y s i a  A i r l i n e s  F l i g h t  1 7  i n  
2 0 1 4 ,  re c o n s t r u c t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  w e re  u s e d  t o  re c re a t e  t h e  s c e n e  o f  
t h e  c r a s h  a n d  t o  d e t e rm i n e  t h e  c a u s e  o f  t h e  a c c i d e n t .
Re c o n s t r u c t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  h a v e  b e e n  u s e d  t o  i n v e s t i g a t e  b u i l d i n g  
c o l l a p s e s .  Fo r  ex a m p l e ,  a f t e r  t h e  c o l l a p s e  o f  t h e  Wo r l d  Tr a d e  C e n t e r  
t o w e r s  i n  2 0 0 1 ,  re c o n s t r u c t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  w e re  u s e d  t o  i n v e s t i g a t e  
t h e  c a u s e  o f  t h e  c o l l a p s e  a n d  t o  d e v e l o p  n e w  s a f e t y  s t a n d a rd s  f o r  
s ky s c r a p e r s .
Re c o n s t r u c t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  h a v e  b e e n  u s e d  t o  i n v e s t i g a t e  c r i m e s .  
Fo r  ex a m p l e ,  a f t e r  t h e  B o s t o n  M a r a t h o n  b o m b i n g  i n  2 0 1 3 ,  
re c o n s t r u c t i o n  m e t h o d o l o g i e s  w e re  u s e d  t o  re c re a t e  t h e  s c e n e  o f  t h e  
b o m b i n g  a n d  t o  i d e n t i f y  t h e  p e r p e t r a t o r s .
CONTACT INFO
CHRISTOPHER ARMSTRONG
1650 E. Gonzales Road, Box 333 , Oxnard, CA, 
93036 ( 805 ) 889 - 1041
carmstrong@ armstrongforensicreconstruction.  com
WWW.ARMSTRONGFORENSICRECONSTRUCTION.CO
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