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Vehicle analysts needed to investigate accidents
More mechanical vehicle analysts are needed in the country to investigate accident scenes.
This was revealed at a presentation on the role of the mechanical vehicle analysts in the Police services.
According to Inspector Terry Murphy of the Durban accident-combatting unit there are currently four mechanical analysts working for the SAPS in KZN. In a 24 hour cycle there is only one mechanical analyst working per shift. Inspector Murphy has been in the SAPS collision unit service for 20 years. Out of the 140 mechanical analysts that were trained there are only twelve still practicing in the country. He said the Benoni mechanical training academy used to offer a three-month intensive course but has since closed down. Inspector Murphy explained the importance of mechanical vehicle analysts.
\"When a serious road accident has occurred, it is essential for the Accident Crime Scene Investigator (\'Accident CSI\') to determine the roles played by the human, vehicle, road and environmental elements in the accident.
A serious road accident where a criminal case docket is opened is considered a crime and needs investigation. One of the functions of the SAPS is to investigate crime. The investigation of a crime scene is considered the most important phase of the entire investigation process. This is because all or most evidence, all or most of the involved parties and witnesses are at the scene, \'real-time\' conditions can change in a very short space of time, and important observations have to be made before the conditions change too much.
The investigation and analysis of a vehicle is rather technical and complicated. It is strongly advisable for a Mechanical Vehicle Analyst of the SAPS (previously known as a \'testing officer\'/ \'vehicle examiner\'), to determine the role(s) played by the mechanics of an involved vehicle. One cannot rely on the words or allegations made by a driver/ owner at the scene, since this may be a lie to tempt the scene investigator to focus on a specific aspect of the crime scene investigation, and give less attention to another aspect,\" said Insp Murphy. The number of un-roadworthy vehicles using the country\'s roads according to Government\'s Road Traffic Management Corporation has increased. For justice to be served after a serious road accident, all vehicles involved in such road accidents should be automatically investigated and analysed.
Approximately 80 000 serious road accidents occur annually in South Africa, and involve over 130 000 vehicles. \"The role of the Mechanical Vehicle Analyst during the crime investigation process is paramount in order to meet organizational responsibilities.
The functional role of a Mechanical Vehicle Analyst includes the analysis of vehicles at crime scenes, the taking of photographs of specific vehicle components, the analysis of vehicles away from the crime scene, the analysis of the manufacturer’s specifications to identify and determine modifications/ changes on vehicles and the compilation of detailed reports and the subsequent presentation of evidence in criminal and civil litigation processes,\" added Murphy. A second function of the SAPS is the prevention of crime. Since a serious road accident is considered a crime, the department participates in initiatives to prevent such crime. This includes initiatives involving Mechanical Vehicle Analysts through the following: road policing and enforcement action on a driver/ owner of a vehicle, which has apparent defects whilst on routine patrol, the participation in road accident injury prevention and accident reduction programmes, combined operations and the improving of cooperation with external role-players/ stakeholders.
Inspector Murphy spoke about the success of the Operation Quarter Mile targeting Illegal drag/ street racing on public roads in the Durban area. The success of this operation by the various role players was outstanding. Two arrests for murder and robbery, 2 arrests for possession of suspected stolen property, 30 arrests for fraud / false registration plates, 67 arrests for drunken driving, 25 arrests for reckless or negligent driving, 35 arrests in terms of the Immigrations Act, 51 arrests for outstanding warrants of arrest for various road traffic criminal offences, 850 vehicles suspended, 93 motor vehicles impounded pending compliance intervention, and 1207 fined for various road traffic criminal offences.
The Durban Accident Combatting Unit have returned from a presentation in Cape Town with high spirits after receiving the silver award and certificate for outstanding work. The unit was awarded the silver award by the National Roads Agency for the best incident management system dedicated to service excellence and a certificate to recognize the services rendered during scene managements. The unit was also awarded the best specialised unit in Kwa-Zulu Natal by the SAPS Provincial Commissioner.
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