IT Forensics · Car

Forensic analysis of collision sensor data – Forensic documentation of impact sensors

Collision sensors fitted throughout the vehicle measure acceleration values at various points on the bodywork, thereby providing detailed information on the direction and severity of the impact, as well as the area of the vehicle affected.

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This sensor data is usually fed directly into the restraint system’s activation logic and is, in some cases, stored alongside the airbag activation data.

Why LanCologne?

Since its foundation, LanCologne has specialised in professional IT forensics. Our staff have decades of experience in the field of information technology and assist companies, solicitors, private individuals and, on a regular basis, the courts in the technical investigation of complex digital matters.

The examination is, as a matter of principle, carried out exclusively on a forensic copy, a forensic image or a data source captured in a technically equivalent manner that preserves the integrity of the evidence. The original evidence remains unchanged and is stored in a manner that preserves its integrity.

Our services

We analyse the available collision sensor data and document the direction and severity of the impact, as well as the parts of the vehicle affected, in a manner that is forensically verifiable.

Typical areas of application

Reconstruction of the direction and intensity of the impact
Supplementing airbag and pre-crash data analyses
Determining the type of collision in complex accident scenarios
Support with technical accident reports
Judicial and non-judicial expert reports
Collaboration with experts on accident reconstructions

This is how a collision sensor analysis works

Once the relevant control units have been secured, available sensor data from the various areas of the vehicle body is extracted and combined to form an overall picture of the collision.

Why is collision sensor analysis relevant in a forensic context?

The spatial distribution of the sensor data can help to clarify the exact sequence of events leading to a collision where there are several possible points of impact.

When combined with the airbag deployment data, this provides a detailed technical picture of the collision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the collision sensor data identical to the airbag trigger data?+
No, these are closely related but technically independent data sources that are analysed together.
How many collision sensors are typically fitted?+
This varies depending on the vehicle model and specification, and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Can low-impact collisions that do not trigger an airbag also be detected?+
With some systems, yes; this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

LanCologne – Vehicle IT Forensics, Cologne

Do you require a professional forensic investigation into the „forensic analysis of collision sensor data"? LanCologne can assist you with the admissible preservation of digital evidence and the transparent analysis of relevant vehicle artefacts.

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