Who we are

I am a forensic scientist specialising in collision investigation. I hold a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in physics, and I am a member of the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators.

From 1975 to 1979 I was employed in the Accident Investigation Division of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in Crowthorne, Berkshire on the ‘On The Spot’ investigation unit. During this time I was the first person in the UK to use the CRASH and CRASH2 computer programs. I was also involved in some of the early research into breath alcohol analysis machines.

In 1980 and 1981 I was employed in the Road Accident Group within the Department of Engineering Science at Oxford University, where I continued to routinely attend the scenes of traffic collisions, but was also involved in developing computer simulation methods for accident reconstruction for use in connection with studies into the relationship between crash severity and injury severity. This included use of the CRASH2 and CRASH3 computer programs.

From 1981 to 1989 I was employed at the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory, where I was on a call out system for attending serious and fatal road accidents as they were reported. I was also an authorised tachograph chart analyst, an authorised test driver, and I became qualified to drive Large Goods Vehicles.

From 1989 to 2002 I was a founding Partner in Ashton and Jennings, an independent firm specialising in forensic road accident investigation.

Between 2002 and 2008 I was a Principal Consultant in the Incident Investigation and Reconstruction Group at TRL Ltd, (formerly the Transport and Road Research Laboratory) where I was also authorised as a test driver.  Whilst at TRL Ltd., I acted as a Consultant to ‘Operation Paget’ (Lord Stevens’ investigation into the death of Diana, HRH The Princess of Wales) and presented my evidence at the Inquest before Lord Justice Scott-Baker. I also served on the Boards of Inquiry that were convened to investigate two fatal bus collisions in Ireland.

As a test driver I have gained practical experience in the effects of different factors on vehicle handling. I have been present at, and participated in, numerous practical events including skid testing and crash testing sessions.

I have undertaken many short technical courses to develop various individual specialist skills; including courses on Driving Stability Systems, Accident Investigation for Road Safety Engineers, Forensic Tyre Examination, Vericom accelerometers, and a course by Brach and Brach on Mathematical Methods in Accident Reconstruction. I have completed a course in Visual Statement FX3 diagramming and animation software and I am an authorised user of the software. I have attended workshops with DSD covering the use of PC Crash simulation software.

I have lectured on a number of Police training courses including the City and Guilds of London Certificate in Road Accident Investigation, specialist courses for police accident investigators, and courses on the interpretation of vehicle damage. I have authored a number of research papers and presented them at conferences. I provided a workshop for collision investigators at the 2011 ITAI Conference.

I have given evidence at all levels of UK Court including Inquests and Courts Martial. I currently provide expert advice on road traffic collisions to police collision investigation units, highway authorities, solicitors and insurers.

Peter Jennings CV (PDF)

I am a forensic engineer specialising in the investigation and reconstruction of road traffic collisions, with a particular interest in pedestrian collisions. I hold a Bachelor’s Honours Degree and a PhD in Pedestrian Injury Modelling from the University of Birmingham Automotive Safety Centre.  The latter of these involved the investigation and reconstruction of real-world accidents using mathematical modelling software to determine the accuracy of pedestrian models and their ability to be used in reconstructions to determine injury.  I am a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Member of the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators

From May 2001 until May 2004, I was a Research Associate at the University of Birmingham, undertaking a European Commission funded research study investigating the use of computer simulation tools to determine the injury potential for car occupants in non-standard collision configurations.

From May 2004 until October 2015 I was employed in the Incident Investigation and Reconstruction Group at TRL, providing expert advice in the field of accident investigation and reconstruction, and I joined TCRI in October 2015.

I have undertaken specialist training in collision investigation and reconstruction, CCTV analysis, computer simulation/animation (PC Crash), human factors, surveying and photogrammetry.

I have reconstructed collisions for cars, motorcycles, large goods vehicles, including pedestrian and cyclist impacts, low speed vehicle impacts, single and multi-vehicle collisions. In addition, I have also conducted research on vehicle handling and stability both for cars and large goods vehicles.

Having supported case conferences and completed a number of joint expert statements I am experienced in providing advice and expert opinion to both insurers and legal representatives.  I also have experience with presenting evidence for Court both in Civil and Criminal cases.

Gary Coley CV (PDF)

I specialise in investigating the causes of injuries sustained in all types of crashes, particularly by occupants in passenger cars, as well as some aspects of accident reconstruction.  Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, I am a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Member of the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators.  Using evidence from vehicle examinations and detailed injury descriptions, I regularly provide expert input to traffic accident and forensic investigations.  My specialist fields include vehicle defects and roadworthiness, crashworthiness, restraint systems, airbag sensor calibration, occupant kinematics and injury mechanisms.  I commonly apply these skills to determine seat belt use, the effect of failure to use a seat belt and the seating positions of occupants, which is particularly useful when the identification of a driver is an issue.

Prior to joining TCRI, I was a Principal Consultant at TRL, prior to which I served an indentured motor vehicle apprenticeship and worked as a vehicle mechanic for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.  After graduating I joined Land Rover Vehicles where I conducted many technical investigations at Land Rover and its suppliers.  These covered a range of aspects of vehicle engineering and frequently involved product liability issues.  After a 15 month period of training in accident investigation at the University of Birmingham Accident Research Centre, I was responsible for developing the real world accident research unit at Rover Group Ltd, with particular emphasis on accident investigations.  I spent a period with the BMW Accident Research Unit in Germany before the MG Rover Group was formed, where I was responsible for vehicle safety research activities.  These included accident investigations, research into pedestrian protection as well as advising on safety strategy at the early concept phase for new models.

I have also undertaken formal training in the investigation and reconstruction of road traffic collisions by the Society of Automotive Engineers and regularly provide expert evidence in this area.

I was an authorised test driver at TRL and am an experienced motorcyclist, having successfully completed the Institute of Advanced Motorists advanced motorcycling test.

Stephen Henderson CV (PDF)