Marine Corps Base QuanticoAccident Investigation Unit (AIU)

Vincent Olman

Park University

Overview

• Provost Marshal’s Office Structure• AIU Responsibilities• AIU Structure• Orders, Directives, and Regulations• Case Policies• Collision Investigations• Investigative Radius• Wrecker Companies• AIU Equipment• Special Events• Summary

Provost Marshal

Services Operations Criminal Investigations

Patrol

AIU

K-9

Vehicle Inspection

Physical Security

Records

Pass & ID

SRT

Provost Marshal’s Office Structure

AIU Responsibilities

The Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) of the Provost Marshal’s Office has the primary responsibility for the following:

• Conducting technical accident investigations, to include investigating all motor vehicle traffic accidents that occur on MCB Quantico.

• Investigating all GOV accidents that occur off base within a 50-mile radius of MCB Quantico.  • Investigating all serious injury traffic accidents that occur off base that involve personnel from MCB

Quantico that occur within a 50-mile radius of base.  • Conduct special enforcement (DWI/DUI and speed enforcement) within the jurisdiction of the Provost

Marshal’s Office. • Conducting all tow/impoundment investigations of vehicles that are classified as abandoned or traffic

hazards, and tows all vehicles that fit certain criteria deemed by MCBO 5560.2A. • Conducting courtesy vehicle lockouts free of charge to personnel that are on MCB Quantico that locked

their keys in their vehicles (privately owned vehicles only). • Conducting traffic management (Traffic control where ever it is deemed necessary to alleviate traffic

congestion or when requested by activities aboard MCB Quantico). • Conducting traffic control for visiting dignitaries or VIPs that arrive aboard MCB Quantico. • Conducting periodic surveys on vehicles, roadways, drivers and pedestrians that are used for research

purposes. • Conducting funeral escorts from Base Chapel to the Quantico National Cemetery. • Engages in all traffic related events that occur aboard MCB Quantico. • Liaison with constructing contractors to ensure that the needs of the motoring public are kept in mind

when detours and etc. are designed.

From: http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/activities/display.aspx?PID=572&Section=SecBn

AIU Chief

Asst. AIU Chief

Day Shift Investigator

Accident Investigation Unit Structure

Day Shift Investigator

Night Shift Investigator

Night Shift Investigator

The AIU is structured to provide constant on-duty traffic enforcement and support.

Orders, Directives, and Regulations

AIU’s authority and directives come from a variety of different orders and regulations:

• Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) • Marine Corps Law Enforcement Manual, MCO P5580.2 • DoD Traffic Safety Program, DoD order 6055.4 • Marine Corps Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision, MCO 5100.19E • MCB Quantico’s Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision, MCBO

P5560.2D • Provost Marshal’s Instructions (PMI) • Virginia state laws via Assimilate Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. 13 • Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

AIU Case Policies

Collision reports and investigations are the basis of AIU’s production. Each case is unique and requires a different approach with different reporting procedures:

• “Reportable” Cases (kept on file: 5 years) – Injuries– Fatality– Damage over $1,000– Government vehicle (GOV) involvement– Incidents which could involve Government liability

• “Non-Reportable” Cases (kept on file: 3 years)– All other reported collisions, usually minor

Collision Investigations

• Basic Procedures:– Receive call– Identify most direct/safest route– Request additional investigators if needed– Arrive on scene– Check for injuries– Identify fragile evidence– Find and interview witnesses– Conduct records check on vehicles and persons– Take photos and measurements, collect evidence– Create field sketch– Take statements if needed– Call for towing if needed, remove debris– Issue paperwork and citations– Clear scene– Follow-ups

The driver lost consciousness due to medication/Medical conditions. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. The top of the pole detached and fell onto the hood.

Apparent minor internal injuries were sustained.

The teenage driver lost control when he down shifted and accelerated on a curve. This cause the rear wheels to spin on wet pavement. The vehicle left the roadway and skidded into the ditch. Minor lacerations were sustained.

AIU Investigative 50 mile Radius

MCB Quantico

Fort Meade

Fort A.P. Hill

Andrews AFB

AshlandGordonsville

Front Royal Shrys Store

Chesapeake Bay

VA

MD

DC

AIU is responsible for “investigating all serious injury traffic accidents”, and “GOV accidents”, “that occur off base that involve personnel from MCB Quantico that occur within a 50-mile radius of base.” http://www.quantico.usmc.mil/activities/display.aspx?PID=572&Section=SecBn

Wrecker Companies

• The Provost Marshal Instruction authorizes “an effective and comprehensive Vehicle Removal Program”. The AIU issues yearly contracts that define… – Equipment required– Storage facility security– Length of time vehicles must be kept– Maximum amounts that can be charged

• Wreckers are called for motorist assists, collisions, abandoned vehicles, and any other needs.

AIU Equipment

• Traffic cones• Barriers• Stationary Signs• Digital display trailers• Speed trailers• Radars• Intoxilyzer• Vehicles• Drag Sleds• Measuring Tapes• Digital cameras• Radios• Traffic Vests• Flashlights and wands

Special Events

Another important responsibility of the AIU is traffic control for special events aboard MCB Quantico

• Planning– Identify Ingress and Egress routes– Identify General Parking and VIP/Handicap parking– Attend pre-briefs– Create letters of instruction for PMO personnel– Request required number of police support

• Execution– Brief traffic control personnel– Post personnel– Maintain planned traffic areas and routes– Finish when all gear and personnel are accounted for

Summary

With all of these tasks, the AIU is constantly engaged in their duties as traffic enforcement experts. With over 300 collisions to investigate each year, they strive to treat each one with the same objective and factual analysis. Those investigators that chose to, can continue their training to later become collision reconstructionists, further advancing their skills. With their office walls full of awards and recognitions, they continue to prove their worth. It is safe to say that this traffic unit is at the fore front of police traffic duties, and an irreplaceable unit within PMO.