Middle Police Share Accident Scene Investigation with High School Pupils

COURT HOUSE – Outside in the cold was a mock crash scene Feb. 3. Inside were Middle Township High School students who are studying physics, advanced honors, AP, and forensics. 
Five Middle Township police officers, members of the department’s Fatal Crash Investigation Unit, had arranged a two-car accident by a stop sign just outside the school’s food court.
Skid marks were part of the evidence, and a laser measuring device was among the investigating devices used to add a high-tech touch to the scene.
Patrolman 1st Class Steve Novsak operated that laser with the assistance of Det. Dan Martin.
Before heading into the cold, Novsak had explained to the pupils what the team does when it is dispatched to a serious crash or fatal accident scene.
Among the slides, he projected for the students was: “Always remember: You can’t beat physics!”
Translated, that means the laws of physics cannot be broken, and they will remain as mute testimony if speeding or other careless actions took place to cause an accident.
Physics teacher Kristina Ortman had previously briefed the students on some of the things they should observe at the scene to make theory real outside the classroom.
Other members of the team were Patrolman Kurt Saettler, Patrolman Martin Lindholm, and Patrolman Justin Vitola.
Novsak explained that the skid marks are important in learning the speed of a vehicle, but since many modern cars are equipped with anti-lock brakes, often those marks may not be present.
He also explained how police must record every facet of a crash scene, so all the facts will be correct should the matter go to court.