Forensic Kits
Software
Training DVD Series

In reaction to ongoing interest, we have eventually been able to compile and launch our Forensic Accident Investigation Evidence Kit.


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The kit is designed to enable any accident investigator to grab only one case and then to have everything he or she could need available immediately, at any scene.

The kit consists of the following essential items:

Vanguard Weather-proof case
Supreme 53F
Virtually indestructible, the rugged Vanguard Supreme Series hard cases have innovative features for unmatched strength and durability.
They are O-ring sealed, waterproof (up to a depth of 16.5 feet/5 meters), airtight, and built to withstand the most extreme conditions (-40°F/-40°C to 203°F/95°C).
Supreme cases are great for airline travel with an automatic pressure equalization valve and ability to support up to 265 lbs/120 kg. of exterior weight.
Anti-slip rubber feet and a solid carrying handle offer extra durability.
Thick, quick-release latches lock in place and steel-reinforced lock holders are great for use with pad locks for added security.
Supreme 53F has dense, customizable hexagon-shaped foam for an extremely tailored, custom fit for gear. Its wheels and extended handle make travel with your gear a breeze.
Waterproof and airtight (up to a depth of 16.5 feet/5 meters)
Two storage levels
High-density customizable, hexagon-shaped foam interior
Steel-reinforced lock holders
Wheels and extended handle

Although the equipment inside could be placed in any container, it must be remembered that the contents of this kit can make the difference between the proper investigation of an accident scene and the total loss of evidence, and therewith - 3rd Party liabilities.
Read more about this case.

Digital Camera (Fujifilm Finepix S2000HD)
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Please note that we (IBF Investigations) use the Sony Alpha 100/200 DSLR cameras AND the Fujifilm S2000HD for our work. The image of the kit above, shows the Sony Camera. Fujifilm has always been a prolific purveyor of super-zoom or "bridge" cameras. You can trace the lineage of this new FinePix S2000HD all the way back to the FinePix 4900 Zoom, launched in the summer of 2000. However camera design has come a long way in eight years. The 4900 Zoom was a 2.4 megapixel camera with a 6x zoom lens. The S2000HD is a 10.0 megapixel camera with a 15x zoom lens, sensor-shift image stabilization and HD video recording. Despite its relatively low price it seems that very few corners have been cut in the design of the S2000HD. Some previous Fuji super-zoom models have been a little short in the build quality department, but the S2000HD feels very solidly made. It has a plastic body, but feels surprisingly heavy for its size, thanks mostly to the amount of glass in the lens, although this is balanced by the weight of four AA batteries inside the handgrip.
Fujifilm has a lot of experience with SLR-style super-zoom cameras, so it's no surprise that the S2000HD is superbly comfortable and easy to hold. The large handgrip has a soft high-friction rubber coating, and a textured grip area extends to the sculpted thumb grip on the back. The controls are large, sensibly laid out and clearly labeled, and all operate smoothly.

2 x Battery Pack (set of 4 + charger)

Enough cannot be said about the importance of having spare batteries. If our at-scene protocol, which is part of our at-scene investigation training, is followed, hundreds of photographs are typically taken at each scene.
Since this might be the case, having spare batteries (that are charged) cannot not be over-stressed.
For this purpose, we included two sets, with chargers, in our kit.

Compact Tripod
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Not all accidents happen in daylight. Some obviously happen at night. No camera flash (unless you are willing to pay thousands) will be adequate for most accident scenes. Incident lights, reflective clothing (fire, ambulance, etc), odd angles, dark surfaces and metallic vehicle paint are just some of the factors that render "point-and-shoot" flash photography nearly useless at accident scenes. In order to capture "All the evidence," as required in our training, a tripod is an essential item in your investigative arsenal. If you want to use a tripod, there is also no sense getting the cheapest one you can find, since stability is a definite prerequisite. We have taken all the guess-work and trial-and-error out of acquiring everything you need, and compiled it into a neat and rugged evidence kit.

Tyre Pressure Gauge

Even Police Investigators forget the importance of this little device. If you are not going to take the pressures of every and all tyres at every and all accident scenes, you will have lost vital evidence. Some tyres are deflated, but this cannot be seen on photographs (like on trucks) while others are over-inflated. All these conditions affect your investigative integrity.
Without a proper tyre pressure gauge, capable of recording car and truck tyre pressures, you will be like a hunter with a gun, but no bullets.

Digital Tread Depth Gauge
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There are a wide array of different tread depth gauge models. We only use high quality steel calibrated models. Gone are the days when "the tyre looked OK" was enough as "proof" that the tyre was - in fact, OK. Speed calculations relating to aquaplaning, legal definitions of "smooth" and tyre wear patterns relating to wheel alignment all form vital parts of a proper investigative analysis. Without accurate tyre tread depth readings, taken by reliable means, there can be no reliable evidence for later analysis.

High Accuracy GPS
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When you attend an accident scene, you do not always have "Land Marks" available, or there may be no way to accurately judge the distance to a particular location. Also - where spills are involved, you may have cleaned up and another spill might occur at that location (or near-by) later, and this might come back to haunt you as a liability. If you can record the accident location to a high degree of accuracy (only possible with a high-sensitivity hand-held GPS), any post-event analysis will be greatly simplified. In court, your GPS coordinates might later be the only accurate reference to where the accident really occurred. We cannot emphasize the importance of this piece of equipment enough.

Rolling Measuring Wheel (Does not fit inside case)
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We use a digital measuring wheel to ensure accuracy and to eliminate errors. Of what value would your attendance be if no measurements are taken? Anything from the vehicles involved, road-widths, length of tyre marks and/or vehicle dimensions could become relevant in court later. By using this simple, yet accurate, piece of equipment at every scene, you are assured that you will be able to get "All the evidence."

2 x Tape Measures
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Measuring wheels have limitations. They do not work well on sand, cannot measure vertical distances and are inaccurate on very uneven surfaces. They are also not very good at measuring arcs (road curvature). In these instances, the trusty Tape Measure comes in very handy. Road Curvature, Damage Height, Depth (of trains, culverts and/or ditches), road edge fall-off and many other aspects of evidence can only be measured reliably with a Tape Measure or TWO.

Digital Voice Recorder
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People talk at scenes. You hear things. You talk. By having (and using) a digital voice recorder at every accident scene, you are in a position to:
a) Record everything said and admitted to.
b) Remember that you are being recorded too, and keep your mouth shut!
c) Assist yourself with recalling elements of evidence later, that you may have forgotten to write down.
d) Provide proof of various elements of the scene.

Remember - invasion of privacy (in relation to illegal surveillance) only applies where you "Set up" a person and "Record" them. At accident scenes, you are recording YOUR OWN verbal notes, as well as your activities on the scene. You have no idea what whom will say, or that they would say it, and have no interest in recording any specific conversation.
In this instance, if the "while scene" was recorded, people talking in general are not "set up."

Tactical, Rechargeable LED Torch
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Working at night with a "cheap" torch can become very frustrating very quickly. By using a rechargeable, tactical torch, you are ensured of high visibility, reliability and light quality. Remember - torches (on accident scenes) are used to see where you are walking, to search for evidence, to illuminate items you want to photograph or to identify individuals/bodies. And, good light keeps you out of blood spills!

1 x Set of Evidence Markers
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We envisage the possibility that you might arrive at an accident (or industrial accident) scene first. In this instance, you want to be sure as to identify, mark and highlight any/all elements of evidence. If you use evidence markers (as opposed to nothing), you will be in a position to identify, secure, protect, tag and record evidence better. We recommend the use of evidence markers very highly.

Marking Spray (1 Can)
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There are times when you need to mark the position, orientation, presence and/or final resting positions of vehicles, bodies or items of evidence. While it remains the job of the SAPS to investigate crimes, not all accident scenes are crime scenes. It is also often seen that SAPS officers have no marking spray available. Even allowing them to use yours is better than losing the evidence all together.

Please feel free to contact us for more information, order processing or latest pricing..

Please keep in mind that nothing in this case is "cheapest in class" since we only want to supply technologies that we have tested, evaluated and used for an extended period.

We trust that you will benefit from our experience and trust our selection of the finest tools for this industry!

All orders are subject to payment before delivery and delivery can take up to two weeks from date of order.

Al items, makes, brands, models and/or colors could change without notice, due to technological advancements and/or model replacements.

We use Vista FX3 - the latest and most innovative 3D Animation / Accident Investigation / Reconstruction Software currently available. We are also distributors for this fantastic produce. Be sure to contact us for your personalized quotation and/or for more information. The following information was taken directly from the web site of VS Visual Statement Inc, and can be seen in original context on their site.

FX3 Recon

FX3 Basic has been tailored to provide an inexpensive, yet rich package of our most popular diagramming tools. Crash reconstructionists will benefit from getting our easy-to-use diagramming, measurement system including total station imports, CrashMath for all calculation work, and 3D viewing (walking through a scene in 3D).

For more information about each feature outlined below, please download the FX3 Recon Online Documentation

Measurement System

FX3 Basic includes the ability to import measurements from popular total station models, and to input the measurements manually if desired. A quick and easy wizard allows the user to view the measurements and sync their scene with the points captured.

3D Scene Viewing

Unlike other products that simply render line drawings to 3D views, FX3?s 3D Engine places you in a life-like scene complete with: Environmental Effects, Lighting Effects, Visibility Effects, and all of this with hairsplitting accuracy.

CrashMath ? Show Your Work

This is the program to set the new standard in crash reconstruction technology, designed to fill the void in collision reconstruction covering every aspect/equation you need to get the answers you need..

FX3 PRO Recon

FX3 Pro Recon has been specifically designed for reconstruction professionals requiring the world's foremost drawing application. FX3 Pro Recon represents the foundation for Visual Statement's diagramming providing highly accurate crash diagrams, 3D views, total station measurement imports and momentum analysis.
An integrated workspace tailored for crash reconstructionists provides everything required to complete an investigation at their fingertips. The package includes diagramming, importing from total stations, linear momentum analysis, crash calculations, and statement taking.

This package includes all features available for crash reconstructionists except Simulation and 3D Animation.

Crush Profiling

Total station measurements can be directly imported within the vehicle damager, allowing the user to precisely damage the vehicle based on the total station points measured.

2D Animation

Make the vehicles and other animated objects move in real time right on your diagram. This amazing component enables the user to perform time-distance analyses when only Yaw is of importance.

MomentumFX

MomentumFX is a precise and intuitive linear momentum tool designed to save time. MomentumFX allows reconstructionists to perform speed and momentum evaluations and then display the calculations in a graphical environment all within FX.

Reaction and Fault Analysis

Reaction analysis allows reconstructionists to determine if an accident could be avoided by creating ?what-if? scenarios.

FX3 Pro Recon+

This edition is specifically designed for serious reconstruction professionals requiring the world's foremost drawing application as the foundation for highly accurate accident and crime scene diagrams, realistic 3D views and incredible real time 3D animations.

Powerful physics engine

The animation engine is based off of real-world physics principles and is automatically applying those principles to your animation as you build it.

Extensive detailed 3d model library

FX3 Pro Recon+ Edition ships with 1000s of models including vehicles, boats, trains, airplanes, landscape items, weapons, furniture and much more.As a subscriber to True Partner Maintenance (optional), you will benefit from updates to the model library free of charge. Our model library is always in a state of growth

Collision synchronization

RealMotion 3D will synchronize any objects you want to collide, every time. You can forget about cars flying in the air. Once you define 2 or more objects for collision, and change pre or post collision paths, the objects will still meet as expected.

Live Damage display

The built-in vehicle damager allows you to quickly adjust the vehicle to depict the appropriate damage taken by the vehicle during the crash. CrashFX3 Animation Edition even includes measurements to allow you to see the exact amount of crush taken by the vehicle.

FX3 Premium

Visual Statement's top of the line edition of FX3 is the ultimate tool for accident reconstruction. Everything you need in one handy package, do everything from diagramming, importing total station data, momentum analysis, calculations, SMAC simulations to animations (2D or 3D).

This edition is specifically designed for serious reconstruction professionals requiring the world's foremost drawing application as the foundation for highly accurate accident and crime scene diagrams, realistic 3D views and incredible real time 3D animations.

SMAC FX

SMAC FX sets the standard for simulations in ease of use and accuracy. You work right on your FX3 diagram or any dxf, dwg diagram from any CAD program.

Extensive detailed 3d model library

FX3 Pro Recon+ Edition ships with 1000s of models including vehicles, boats, trains, airplanes, landscape items, weapons, furniture and much more.As a subscriber to True Partner Maintenance (optional), you will benefit from updates to the model library free of charge. Our model library is always in a state of growth

Collision synchronization

RealMotion 3D will synchronize any objects you want to collide, every time. You can forget about cars flying in the air. Once you define 2 or more objects for collision, and change pre or post collision paths, the objects will still meet as expected.

Live Damage display

The built-in vehicle damager allows you to quickly adjust the vehicle to depict the appropriate damage taken by the vehicle during the crash. CrashFX3 Animation Edition even includes measurements to allow you to see the exact amount of crush taken by the vehicle.

Smartroads

SmartRoads was built to allow for quick, conceptual diagrams in the field. SmartRoads benefits from being built on the same proven software core as FX3, but has been tweaked to focus on quick, simple diagramming without the additional functionality sought by crash reconstructionists.
SmartRoads provides the basics for crash reconstruction including: quick diagramming, template libraries for intersections, measurement log and total station import capabilities.

For more information about each feature outlined below, please download the SmartRoads Online Documentation

Designed to save time

SmartRoads was built from the ground-up to provide a quick and easy method of diagramming a crash scene. Default lane widths, automatic placement of vehicles in the normal direction of travel, and the ability to save templates for quick use later all allow you to save time creating diagrams.

Vehicle Specs Database

Quickly place vehicles on your scene that match the exact dimensions of the vehicle involved in the collision. The database includes over 4000 vehicle dimensions (including many advanced measurements such as curb weight) from 1971-2008.

Damage Vehicles in seconds

The built-in vehicle damager allows you to quickly adjust the vehicle to depict the appropriate damage taken by the vehicle during the crash. SmartRoads even includes measurements to allow you to see the exact amount of crush taken by the vehicle.

Measurement System

SmartRoads includes the ability to import measurements from popular total station models, and to input the measurements manually if desired. A quick and easy wizard allows the user to view the measurements and sync their scene with the points captured.

 

During 2009, we received numerous requests for further training, additional education, practical examples, personal tuition, internships and even job shadow programs.

We found that - as reasonable as these requests and inquiries are - IBF Investigations is simply not geared to accommodate all needs at present.

Some people want 'just the basics' and would like to have enough knowledge with which to explore the field and establish whether they think there is a future in Forensic for them while others seek training at very advanced levels and would like to make a career out of it.

We explored the option of internships, short courses, correspondence courses and even long courses (three years). But, the shortage of training in our field, the diversity of interests, geographical challenges and fee structures all played a role in conspiring against our best efforts.

Yet, we realized that the one thing that we can do is perpetuate our training, if we were able to find a way to reproduce the same training at many locations, at minimal cost - so we opted to start filming a DVD Training Series in 2010.

Currently named "All the Evidence," the series is designed to present students with a progressive learning experience. The first DVD (DVD 1 - Introduction to Forensic Awareness) will be designed to address the basic information needs so many people have. It will cover at-scene protocols, role-players, evidence identification, documentation and basic photography. This DVD will be distributed for FREE, and students will be allowed to make and distribute as many copies as they see fit - subject to the DVD remaining a total work (no cutting, editing, extraction or commercial duplication allowed).

DVD 1 will be designed to enable any road-user, assessor, transport manager or controller, truck-driver, policeman, traffic officer and even fire- and ambulance-men, to identify evidence at a road traffic collision scene, to protect the evidence, to know what the roles and responsibilities of all services present are, and to photograph the scene properly.

After this, a number of additional general-topic DVD's will be produced, ranging from Incident Management through Vehicle Collision Dynamics, The Laws of Physics, Tactical Scene Approach and Personal Defense, Effective Emergency Communication and Photographic Techniques for night photography.

After this, there will be DVD's produced that will cover specific technical topics, like Airbags and Seatbelts, Brake Systems, Tyres, Lights, Suspension Systems and Electronic Vehicle recording Solutions and Systems.

The 'special' DVD's that will follow will cover specific topics like Truck Crash Investigation, Motorcycle Accident Investigation, Pedestrian and Bicycle Investigation and Hit-and-run Accident Investigation.

Finally, very specific topics will be covered, including Photogrammetry, Drawings using special software (VS Vista Fx) and Specialized Photographic Techniques.

In total, we expect to produce a total of over 20 DVD's, containing as much as 80 hours of training, or more.

Please visit our site regularly to see updates, clips, extracts and 'behind-the-scenes' clips of our efforts.

(c) IBF Investigations, 2010. This site was developed by Stan Bezuidenhout in January 2010. All rights reserved.