Reconstruction
Forensic Investigation Units
Stopper & Associates, LLC operates with an extensive inventory of specialized equipment for conducting passenger vehicle, heavy truck,
truck tractor / semi-trailer and bus data acquisition and testing.
We are centrally located near Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport and typically can fly to most locations in the United States
and Canada in four hours or less. Depending on the magnitude and type investigation, we can drive one of our specially equipped incident
response trucks, 45 foot motor coach, our truck tractor / semi-trailer mobile forensics lab or with a selection of test equipment prepared
and ready to fly from DFW airport.
Collision Scene and Vehicle Damage Documentation
Stopper & Associates, LLC owns and utilizes state of the art forensic mapping techniques including laser FARO® 3-D Scanners,
Reflectorless Total Stations and Robotic Total Station units.
The forensic mapping techniques utilize professional survey equipment to document complex collision scenes with highly accurate
3-Dimensional measurements.
This equipment allows detailed data collection without interfering with the normal traffic flow.
In many cases, collision scene data can still be acquired, even after months and years have passed when compared to police,
citizen and media photos.
“Black Box” Electronic Control Module & Crash Data Retrieval (CDR)
Stopper & Associates, LLC is equipped to conduct “BLACK BOX”, Electronic Control Module (ECM), Event Data Recorder, Airbag Control Module (ACM)
– Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) imaging (aka: Download) and analysis of most heavy trucks, light trucks and automobiles.
A wide range of data may available, depending on the model year, vehicle manufacturer specifications, truck engine manufacturer as well as the
dynamics of the collision. Many, but not all “Black Boxes” can be imaged even if the vehicle is severely damaged. Call to determine if a
vehicle is supported by current data acquisition software and if a “download” can be attempted.
Retroreflective Tape Conspicuity Evaluation
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 25% of traffic operates after dark but 55% of traffic fatalities occur after dark.
Large truck tractor and semi-trailers are required to be equipped with DOT compliant retroreflective sheeting tape (reflective tape).
Retroreflective tape effectiveness can deteriorate due to effects such as dirt, age of material, chemical exposure as well as damage.
Law enforcement night flash photography can misrepresent the condition of retroreflective tape and cannot duplicate the effectiveness
of the reflective tape to vehicle headlights. Stopper & Associates, LLC conducts objective measurements of retroreflective surfaces
using Gamma Scientific® / RoadVista® Retroreflectometers to test DOT reflective tape, highway signs, reflective graphics as well as
highway pavement markings.
Forensic Brake Examination - for Truck, Tractor Trailer & Buses
Mr. Stopper has received specialized training and conducted hundreds of brake examinations and brake test experiments on heavy vehicles
equipped with all types of brakes since the late 1970’s. He was a contributor to the National Transportation Safety Board Heavy Truck
Brake Study published in 1992 (NTSB SS-92-01) and conducted validation brake testing for that study as well as participated in hundreds
of roadside commercial vehicle brake inspections. This study made recommendations for improvements in commercial vehicle brake systems
and evaluation methods, many of which are now Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) 49 CFR §393 and Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards (FMVSS) 49 CFR §571.121.
He has conducted commercial vehicle brake testing at law enforcement test track sites in the United States and Canada to include
the Transportation Research Center (TRC) in East Liberty, Ohio, The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Charleston, SC, Bosch
Test Center, ID and Texas A&M University, Riverside Campus, College Station, TX.
Stopper & Associates, LLC owns and operates a portable roller dynamometer style Performance Based Brake Tester (PBBT). This device
has been tested, recognized, and approved for law enforcement use by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and
the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). The PBBT is used in the testing of motor vehicle brake systems for proper operation
and compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 393.40 – 393.53) and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(49 CFR Part 571.105 & Part 571.121).