Vehicular Forensics

Event Data Recorder (EDR) information was analyzed using the Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) system. EDR refers to data stored within a vehicle’s airbag control module (ACM), which can record information related to vehicle dynamics and system status before, during, and after a collision.

The CDR system provides a structured method for accessing and interpreting this data, which may be stored in passenger vehicles, light trucks, and SUVs.

Event Data Recorder (EDR) information was analyzed using the Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) system. EDR refers to data stored within a vehicle’s airbag control module (ACM), which can record information related to vehicle dynamics and system status before, during, and after a collision.

The CDR system provides a structured method for accessing and interpreting this data, which may be stored in passenger vehicles, light trucks, and SUVs.​

Airbag control modules may record data when a triggering event occurs, such as a rapid change in velocity or direction. This data can include both deployment and non-deployment events, depending on the conditions present during the collision.

The recorded information reflects specific parameters related to vehicle operation and occupant status at the time of the event. Interpretation of this data requires an understanding of how and when the system records information, as well as the limitations of the recording process.
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A deployment event typically involves sufficient force to activate a restraint system, while a non-deployment event may record significant vehicle dynamics without triggering airbag deployment.

These distinctions are important when evaluating recorded data, as they affect both the type and amount of information available for analysis.

When properly retrieved and interpreted, EDR data provides an objective, time-based record of vehicle behavior leading up to and during a collision. This information can support reconstruction analysis by offering measurable insight into vehicle dynamics and system response.

Additional supporting tools and systems were used where appropriate to analyze vehicle performance, braking characteristics, and acceleration data as part of broader reconstruction efforts.
Work in this area also included instruction in crash data retrieval (CDR) systems for investigators and industry professionals.