ROADPOL and Guardia Civil to Host Second International Seminar on Crash Investigation

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The II Seminar on “Investigation of Road Crashes” scheduled from November 5 to 7, 2024, will be jointly organized by ROADPOL and the Traffic Unit of Spain’s Civil Guard (ATGC).

The seminar will feature daily conferences from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., led by members of the Traffic Unit of the Civil Guard, personnel from the General Directorate of Traffic, and representatives from Spain’s State Prosecutor’s Office. Participants from ROADPOL member countries will also present their own approaches and experiences in traffic crash investigation. With a strong focus on practical applications, the seminar aims to foster the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the field.

Topics

The key topics that will be featured include:

1. Organizational Framework of Crash Investigations

  • The Role of the Civil Guard: A deep immerse into the organizational structure of Spain’s Civil Guard and its Traffic Unit (ATGC), outlining the protocols followed during traffic crash investigations.
    (Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Varela, ROADPOL Council member, representing Spain)

2. Criminal Prosecution of Traffic Crashes

  • Legal Perspectives: A presentation on the criminal prosecution process in Spain for traffic crashes, including the legal framework and the role of the prosecutor in handling these cases.
    (Presented by Diego Yebra, Criminal Prosecutor)

3. Traffic Crash Data Systems and Indicators

  • Road Safety Monitoring: This session covers the systems used in Spain for road crash data collection and analysis, as well as key road safety indicators that form policy and prevention strategies.
    (Presented by Eloy Bedoya, General Directorate of Traffic)

4. Investigative Techniques and Crash Reconstruction

  • Crash Reconstruction Methodology: Participants will learn the procedural methods used for reconstructing traffic crashes, from data collection at the scene to analyzing contributing factors.
    (Presented by First Lieutenant Fco. Romero)
  • Field Data Collection: Two sessions will focus on obtaining accurate data from crash scenes, including the condition of the vehicles involved and the road environment.
    (Presented by Corporal Iván Larra and Civil Guard Officer Óscar Santos)

5. International Perspectives

  • Belgium’s Approach: Experts from Belgium will share their experiences in crash investigations, with a focus on locating vehicle occupants, analyzing speed regulations through Variable Message Signs (VMS), and the use of Event Data Recorders (EDR) to facilitate autopsies.
    (Presented by Dirk Verhelst and Bart Huyghebaert)
  • Finland’s Investigative Practices: The Finnish delegation will present their procedures for investigating traffic crimes linked to collisions, offering comparative insights into international practices.
    (Presented by Tuomo Katajisto)

6. Future Trends in Crash Investigation

  • Technological Advancements: The seminar will also explore future trends in crash investigation, including the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and mobile phone data in determining the causes of traffic crashes.
    (Presented by Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Varela)

Venue

The seminar will be hosted at the Traffic Academy of the Civil Guard (ETGC) in Merida in the autonomous community of Extremadura, a renowned center for national and international road safety training. The academy specializes in motorcycle driving courses for the Civil Guard, as well as training for public officials and police forces on traffic-related matters, including crash investigation and reconstruction. With 247 rooms and extensive facilities such as driving tracks, a sports center, and a gym, the academy provides an ideal setting for the seminar. Attendees will stay on-site and are required to wear uniforms as per the academy’s regulations.

Objective

„The objective of the Seminar is to exchange knowledge, experiences and good practices among attendees, with regards to road crash investigation at all levels, from basic to complex collisions. The seminar offers a unique opportunity for law enforcement professionals to enhance their investigative skills through hands-on sessions and international collaboration, contributing to improved road safety practices across Europe and even beyond. Last year the seminar caused enormous interest and positive feedback from the participants were received”, ROADPOL General Secretary Damyan Vladinov commented.

Attendees

The seminar is open to police professionals from ROADPOL member countries. The number of participants per member country is limited hence they will be selected by relevant country representatives to ROADPOL Council. The seminar will also welcome 10 officers from the NAUSS University of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 5-7 November 2024 “Investigation of Road Crashes” Seminar in Merida is organized under the “Solutions To Reduce Injury and Death on Europe’s Roads III“ (STRIDER III) project co-financed by the European Union