Accident scene requirements

[pooldawg36]

My question is does anyone know what is required of an officer at the scene of an auto accident. Specificaly when dealing with photographing the scene.

[txinvestigator1]

In the Great State of Texas there is NO requirement for an officer to photgraph the scene. IF there is a death or seriuos injury likely to cause death, most agancies will photograph the scene, but there is no legal requirement to do so.

Texas Law requires an accident report be filed by a Law Enforcement Agency if there is any injury or I think now, $1000.00 damage to any vehicle or property.

Tell us what happened and we'll try to help.

[DRUNK BUSTER 31]

Down here in PR we only photograph fatal crashes or serious injury ones, also in government vehicles crashes.

[tcsd1236]

We are not required to photograph accidents in NY.

We generally photo at fatals, when the accident reconstruction guys are called out. I occasionally use the polaroid at accidents if there is something unique I want to do***ent, but since the cameras and film are provided specifically through domestic violence grants, we are discouraged from using the polaroids a lot for other types of complaints. Otherwise, I don't bother.

If you have any doubts about wanting to photo accidents you may be in, buy one of those cheapie throwaway cameras and toss it in the glovebox and do your own photos when the need arises.

[PD_Webmaster]

Here in Washington depends on the agency... And I think that would go for any state actually.

Most agencies will not require photos to be taken unles fatal, or serious injury. It all comes down to level of action that is going to be taken or needed to be taken, and how well the report needs to be.

[darrell]

Michigan its up to the department. Our area does it on federal govt vehicles, other city county state vehicles or a near death or fatal accident.

[RICHARD]

As Military Police Traffic Investigator's we have the option of photos on all accidents for evidence of damage an to help remind the Accident Investigator of the scene. On any injury case though we are required to phote the accident. Their are 6 photos possible. 1: Establishing (What you seen when arriving from your view) 2: Approach (direction of travel of each vehicle from drivers view and lane in 100 ft intervals with a 10 ft overlay) 3: Final Rest (where each vehicle ended up after contact was made to include final rest of body) 4: Damages ( 3 types, Best 1, Best 2, and Standard 4. Standard 4 most perferred) 5: Roadway (anything that was a contributing factor in the accident or a results of the accident i.e. skid marks, yaw marks, damage to house fixed object etc..) 6: Close Up (photos of damages that were hard to see from a distance or evidence i.e. blood on hood, windshield, steering wheel etc...)