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The CRASH3 damage algorithm is widely accepted as being reasonably accurate in the field of accident reconstruction, however there has been very little objective validation studies completed. The basis of the algorithm is Newton’s Third Law of Motion which in essence states that forces between interacting bodies are equal in magnitude, opposite in direction and collinear. Therefore, the forces should be theoretically equal and opposite when applying the damage algorithm. By applying the force balance method in determination of crush stiffness coefficients, the CRASH3 algorithm is forced to comply with its own derivation and should produce the most accurate result possible for the provided input. The purpose of this paper is to examine the results of the application of the force balance method in determination of stiffness coefficients (and therefore is ΔV) in real car-car tests and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards side-impact tests (FMVSS 214).

Often as part of accident reconstruction the question of visibility arises. Examples range from a simple daytime obstruction to the more complex case of nighttime human perception. With these cases, it is often necessary to analyze the visibility aspects of the accident situation and determine if a reasonably alert person would have been able to detect certain objects associated with the accident. In order to analyze the accident situation, a method for studying various visibility aspects is needed. The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to study visibility aspects of an accident. It will present field reconstructions of both daytime and nighttime accidents, and unique examples illustrating target detection factors and how they can lead to an increase in visibility at night. The methodologies will include still photography, video and motion pictures.