Robert Hawthorn Visual A.I.

Accident Investigation and Reconstruction Consultant

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Qualifications and Experience

Since 1997 I have been a self-employed consultant working as a specialist in road traffic accident investigation. In this capacity I produce detailed reports relating to about 20 accidents per year.

I am also contracted to a major police force to supply specialised training in the field of accident investigation. I have provided specialised training to other agencies. I have been carrying out this work for the last 7 years.

I am, by qualification and experience, a Registered Forensic Practitioner (RFP) Member of the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators (MITAI) and I am an Associate Member of the Society of Operations Engineers (AMSOE) and an Associate Member of the Institute of Road Transport Engineers (AMIRTE).

I have been accepted as an expert in the field of accident investigation, and given expert evidence, in Crown Courts, Magistrates Courts, Coroners Courts and Civil Courts. For thirty years from 1967 I was a serving officer with the Metropolitan Police and for twenty years, a traffic-patrol officer.

I was employed, full-time, in an accident investigation unit, from 1982 until 1997 and during this time I attended about 50 fatal or other serious accidents a year for the specific purposes of accident investigation.

I consider that I have an expert knowledge of traffic accidents, vehicle and pedestrian behaviour and damage patterns encountered in traffic accidents.

I am familiar with the scientific and academic application and limitations of physics in respect of the various aspects of traffic accident investigation, gained through many years of training and performance in my previous occupation.

Whilst in the Police service I qualified and practised as an advanced 'Class 1' car driver and motorcyclist. I can also drive all types of goods and passenger carrying vehicles.

I was authorised by the Commissioner of Police to examine vehicles that were involved in fatal road traffic accidents. I was also tachograph examiner and calibrator.

There was also at least one day per year set aside for experimentation, practice and testing of theoretical and practical aspects of the subject at which I was always an active participant.

I have examined many hundreds of vehicles, of all types, that have been involved in serious accidents. I am familiar with the effect of defects in such vehicles, that may have caused or contributed to an accident. In addition I have carried out numerous tests, driving vehicles with known defects, to establish what, if any effect, the defects have on the vehicles behaviour.