The Institute will be presenting the next webinar for the membership [and guests] on Wednesday 11th November 2026 at 15:00 BST. [please ignore any error in the automated emails where the time might be shown as being in a different zone]
Patrick Ryan, P.Eng.
will be discussing
‘Modern Techniques For Generating Low-Cost 3D Data’
ABSTRACT
Collision simulation and visualization are enhanced when accurate geometry is available for the collision scene and involved vehicles. Laser-based scanning of collision sites and other objects of interest has become more cost-effective in recent years, but dedicated professional-grade scanners remain relatively expensive, particularly for small operations or infrequent use.
Alternative methods exist that can be used to generate high-quality three-dimensional data to capture and represent vehicle damage profiles, collision scene evidence, and site topography. These approaches can be used to generate point cloud (e.g. “.E57”) or textured mesh (e.g. “.OBJ”) geometry for use in common collision simulation software. The time required to generate these high-quality data is comparable to that required to do more basic documentation, even with modern single-operator robotic or GNSS-based survey equipment. Additionally, these techniques can be applied to functional roadways without exposing the operator to risk of interaction with traffic.
Methodologies will be presented for handheld, rod-mounted, and drone-based data gathering, processed using Recon 3D, RealityScan, and CloudCompare.
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While completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at Memorial University in 1994, Patrick worked for the Road Safety Directorate of Transport Canada in Ottawa. During his time at Transport Canada, Patrick co-authored a paper on air bag deployment for presentation at the 1993 annual CATAIR seminar. Following graduation, he worked briefly for an accident reconstruction firm in Ontario, before moving west to continue working in the field. Patrick has been involved with over 5000 motor vehicle accident investigations since 1994, and he has also staged many crash tests. Patrick has been accepted as an expert witness at both the King’s Bench / Queen’s Bench and Provincial court levels in Alberta, as well as at comparable courts in other jurisdictions. Patrick specializes in large losses, with particular interest in occupant restraints (including air bags), crash data recovery, and collision simulation. Patrick is a member of the Canadian Association of Technical Accident Investigators and Reconstructionists (CATAIR), the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), the European Association for Accident Research and Analysis (EVU), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the Accident Reconstruction Network (ARC), and the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS).
The Institute will be presenting the following webinar for the membership [and guests] on Wednesday 17th February 2027 at 13:00 GMT/UTC. [please ignore any error in the automated emails where the time might be shown as being in a different zone]
Henry Vega
‘Speed Determination Using Audio Analysis - We have not been hearing the evidence’
Audio of recordings of vehicle collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects has not been evaluated to determine if characteristics of the collisions may offer the investigator or practitioner an additional method to calculate vehicle speed in their investigation. This presentation will cover prior research results from Crash Day 2025, and real-world vehicle collision investigation incidents where audio assisted the investigator review critical aspects recorded audio. The limitations encountered with recorded audio will also be discussed with examples.
In the following presentation, various vehicle collisions conducted under control conditions were analyzed to determine vehicle speeds based on audio of the vehicle approaching and through impact. This study demonstrated that an audio signal generated by an internal combustion engine of a passenger vehicle and recorded by an interior audio and video-recording device was a reliable source to determine vehicle speed. However, an external audio and video-recording device had limitations by the crosswind noise masking the approaching test vehicle.
This presentation will also discuss research correlating audio frequencies generated by rotating vehicle tires with the travel speed of the vehicle. How the research was conducted and how to determine vehicle speed from dash camera audio for your case.
Mr Vega is a licensed Professional Mechanical Engineer, an ACTAR accredited accident reconstructionist, and a certified FAA U
AV Pilot, and an Associate Member of the Audio Engineering Society. Mr Vega has been working in failure analysis and accident reconstruction since 1998 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Northern Illinois University.
He has extensive experience investigating accidents involving commercial and passenger vehicles, motorcycles, farm equipment, ATV’s, and pedestrians. He has used forensic audio/video analysis in shooting and forensics reconstructions. And published three methods and developed the equation to determine vehicle speed from dash camera audio. Also developed and published a method of combining sUAV (drone) or terrestrial images with laser scans to produce high-quality colonized and accurate three-dimensional computer models that are used in accident reconstruction and forensics settings.
Mr Vega is also actively conducting joint research with collision investigators in the United Kingdom regarding audio from staged vehicle collisions and e-Scooters as well as conducting joint research with a Canadian forensics’ investigator regarding firearm audio analysis using body worn cameras and other consumer available video camera recording devices.
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