Wade Baker recently completed the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigation course. The 80 hour course gave Wade an opportunity to hone his motor vehicle accident investigation skills including roadway scene documentation and measurement techniques.
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Vector Scientific, Inc. would like to congratulate Wade Bake, M.S. who recently obtained his Remote Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. Mr. Baker successfully demonstrated that he understands the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying a small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) required by 14 CFR Part 107 for commercial drone use.
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Biomechanical Engineer Steven Storvik has utilized photogrammetry in his forensic work at Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) over the past decade. Common uses include extracting 3D measurements of a crashed vehicle when only 2D photographs exist and the subject vehicle is no longer available for inspection, and to locate physical evidence on roadways from accident scene photographs.
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Pedestrian accident reconstruction involves complex issues that Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) is uniquely qualified to analyze using our combined expertise of accident reconstruction and injury biomechanics. Accident reconstruction methods are used to analyze speed, visibility, reaction time, and vehicle handling/braking while biomechanics input regarding walking speed, body position/posture, and injury mechanics completes a robust analysis of the vehicle and human impact dynamics involved in pedestrian accidents. Read More.
On January 8, 2021, Jeff Wheeler, President and Director of Biomechanics at Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) presented a CLE accredited program entitled “Forensic Biomechanics: Applying Injury Biomechanics to Catastrophic Accidents” to Denver law firm White and Steele, P.C. A special thanks to Michael Daugherty and Darla Frechette for coordinating the event.
Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) had added incentive to see the calendar turn to 2021 as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary. VSI would like to thank our clients over the past two decades for putting their trust in us. We are truly grateful for your business.
Founder/President Jeff Wheeler would also like to recognize the alumni of VSI (and its pre-cursor Biomechanics Research & Consulting, which together represent 30 years) who were part of the company’s success. We greatly value your hard work and want you to know that our success was your success. Please celebrate our 20th/30th Anniversary with us.
Finally, a special thanks to the current talented staff at VSI who are poised to do great things and conquer all future challenges our clients throw our way!
Jeff Wheeler, President and Director of Biomechanics at Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI), presented via Zoom video conference a CLE accredited program “Forensic Biomechanics: Applying Injury Biomechanics to Catastrophic Accidents” to the law firm Tyson & Mendes. A special thanks to trial attorney Michael Drews, Sarah Bittinger, and Abigail Berard for coordinating the CLE event.
Vector Scientific Biomechanical Engineer Dr. Michio Clark and President and Director of Biomechanics Jeffrey Wheeler submitted research study on “The Effect of Active Head Restraints (AHRs) on Head Kinematics in Rear Impact Sled Tests,” will be presented by Dr. Clark at NHTSA 48th NHTSA Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Read More.
Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) was proud to be an exhibit sponsor at the Nebraska Defense Counsel Association Annual Meeting and Seminar on Friday, August 28, 2020, at the Embassy Suites Omaha La Vista Hotel & Conference Center, La Vista, NE. Director of Business Development Tim McCleary shared VSI’s injury biomechanics and accident reconstruction services and expertise. VSI specializes in injury biomechanics and accident reconstruction in the areas motor vehicle, occupational/industrial, sport/recreation, and premise accidents.
Jeff Wheeler, President and Director of Biomechanics at Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI), presented via Zoom video conferencing the CLE accredited program “Forensic Biomechanics: Applying Injury Biomechanics to Catastrophic Accidents” to the law firm Overturf McGath & Hull, P.C. in Denver, Colorado. A special thanks to trial attorneys Scott McGath, Jason Rietz, their partners and associates. If you are interested exploring a CLE accredited seminar for your law firm then please contact Tim McCleary at 303-697-9977.
Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) recently expanded their ability to download valuable Event Data Recorder (EDR) information from more Subaru Vehicles (see expanded list in image). Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) accident reconstruction engineer Zachariah Weimer can answer your questions regarding EDR download capability of the vehicles in your case. Read More.
The work at home environment has not stopped Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) from supporting the legal industry by conducting Continuing Legal Education (CLE) accredited programs. In April Jeff Wheeler, President and Director of Biomechanics, presented “Forensic Biomechanics: Applying Injury Biomechanics to Catastrophic Accidents” to Southern California law firm Bradley & Gmelich LLP via Zoom video conferencing. A special thanks to trial attorneys James F. Saunders, Thomas Gmelich, Kathryn (Kamil) Canale, and their partners and associates for their attendance and participation.
Vector Scientific’s President and Director of Biomechanics Jeff Wheeler, M.S. recently was an invited speaker at the White and Steele 24th Annual Wyoming Claims Seminar. Mr. Wheeler presented Injury Biomechanics in Low-Speed Motor Vehicle Collisions including his research and testing with human volunteers in low-speed collisions and the biomechanics of soft tissue injuries, intervertebral disc injuries, shoulder injuries, and mild Traumatic Brain Injuries. Mr. Wheeler also discussed the role and relationship of accident reconstruction and biomechanical experts in low speed motor vehicle collisions, relevant evidence and material, and data available from event data recorders (black boxes). Mr. Wheeler was joined at the seminar by colleague Steve Storvik, M.S.
J. Michio Clark, PhD., co-author a published research study in the International Journal of Mechanical Sciences in January 2020 on “Biofidelic finite element modelling of brain trauma: Importance of the scalp in simulating head impact” with Antonia Trotta (lead author), Adrian McGolrick, Michael Gilchrist, and Dr. Aisling Ní Annaidh. This research showed that finite element head models represent a valuable tool to investigate brain injury due to head impacts, and highlighted the importance of the scalp in head impact kinematics, particularly for oblique head impacts, where high rotational accelerations are experienced. Read the publication. Read the publication.
Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) was proud to participate as a sponsor at the 2020 DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar’s Product Liability Conference on February 5-7 in New Orleans. Tim McCleary, Director of Business Development, shared VSI’s injury biomechanics and accident reconstruction services and expertise in the areas motor vehicle, occupational/industrial, sport/recreation, and premise cases.
Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI) was proud to be an exhibit sponsor at the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel 59th Annual Seminar on January 30-31, in Los Angeles, CA. Tim McCleary, Director of Business Development, shared VSI’s injury biomechanics and accident reconstruction services and expertise in the areas motor vehicle, occupational/industrial, sport/recreation, and premise cases.
J. Michio Clark, PhD., and his co-authors Kevin Adanty, Andrew Post, Blaine Hoshizaki, Dr. Aisling Ní Annaidh, and Michael Gilchrist co-authored a published research study in the International Journal of Crashworthiness in December 2019 “A parametric analysis of factors that determine head injury outcomes following equestrian fall accidents.” This research examined the effects and interaction of four primary impact parameters (impact velocity, angle of impact relative to the ground, ground compliance and helmet impact location) on head kinematics and brain tissue response for falls that are most commonly associated with equestrian sports. Read the publication on open access.
J. Michio Clark, Ph.D., co-authored a published research study entitled “Could a compliant foam anvil characterise the biofidelic impact response of equestrian helmets?.” in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. The work was a collaboration between University College Dublin School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Charles Owen & Co, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and the University of Ottawa School of Human Kinetics. This research on head injury biomechanics, concussions, and helmets was part of Michio Clark’s doctoral work at the University of College Dublin under Prof. Michael Gilchrist’s direction. Read the publication.
J. Michio Clark, Ph.D., co-authored a published research study entitled “Proposed Injury Thresholds for Concussion in Equestrian Sports” in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. The work was a collaboration between University College Dublin School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University of Ottawa School of Human Kinetics, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, British Evening, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, and British Horseracing Authority. This research on head injury biomechanics, concussions, and helmets was part of Michio Clark’s doctoral work at the University of College Dublin under Prof. Michael Gilchrist’s direction. Dr. Clark recently joined our injury biomechanics team at Vector Scientific, Inc. (VSI). Read the publication on open access.
From Canada by way of Ireland, Vector Scientific, Inc. would like to welcome J. Michio Clark, Ph.D. to our Injury Biomechanics Team. Dr. Clark’s specialty is head injury biomechanics and the protective effects of helmets. Michio’s Doctorate Thesis research involved in-depth analyses and reconstructions of head injuries in equestrian jockey accidents; and his Master’s Thesis research studied concussion injury biomechanics in ice hockey.
Dr. Clark has published more than a dozen scientific articles related to head injury biomechanics and has been part of teams that presented at more than a dozen scientific conferences.
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VSI Senior Engineer Zachariah Weimer, M.S., P.E., and Director of Business Development Tim McCleary attended the 2019 Colorado Defense Lawyers Association Annual Meeting in Beaver Creek, CO. Vector Scientific, Inc. was proud to be an exhibitor at this year’s conference. Zachariah and Tim shared VSI’s injury biomechanics and accident reconstruction services and expertise.
J. Michio Clark, co-authored a published research study entitled “Comparing two proposed protocols to test the oblique response of cycling helmets to fall impacts” in the International Journal of Crashworthiness. The work was a collaboration between the University of Ottawa School of Human Kinetics, University College Dublin School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. This research on head injury biomechanics, concussions, and helmets was part of a Masters project under Dr. Blaine Hoshizaki’s direction while Michio Clark’s was on secondment at the University of Ottawa. Below is a link to their publication. Read the publication.
Jeff Wheeler was an invited speaker at the Raffalow, Bretoi, Lutz & Stele 6th Annual Attorney Conference in Fullerton, California. Jeff was asked to speak about Injury Biomechanics in Low Speed Motor Vehicle Collisions. Jeff shared his 30 years of experience including research and testing of head and neck injury biomechanics.
President and Director of Biomechanics Jeff Wheeler was an invited speaker at the 2019 Caltrans Annual Tort Conference in Ventura, California. Jeff and Nick Durisek, Ph.D. of Dynamic Analysis Group from Houston, Texas did a joint presentation on Biomechanics and Crash Reconstruction. The focus was high-speed catastrophic accidents.
J. Michio Clark, co-authored a published research study entitled “Do equestrian helmets prevent concussion? A retrospective analysis of head injuries and helmet damage from real-world equestrian accidents” in Sports Medicine-Open. The work was a collaboration between University College Dublin School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Charles Owen & Co, John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, British Equestrian Trade Association and Imperial College London Brain and Vestibular Group. This research on traumatic brain injury, concussions, and helmet damage was part of a lab research project conducted while Michio Clark was completing his doctorate at University College Dublin under Prof. Michael Gilchrist’s direction. Read the publication on open access.
J. Michio Clark, co-authored a published research study entitled “The influence of impact surface on head kinematics and brain tissue response during impacts with equestrian helmets” in Sports Biomechanics. The work was a collaboration between University College Dublin School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Charles Owen & Co, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and the University of Ottawa School of Human Kinetics. This research on head injury biomechanics, concussions, and helmets was part of Michio Clark’s doctoral work at the University of College Dublin under Prof. Michael Gilchrist’s direction. Below is a link to their publication. Read the publication.
J. Michio Clark, Ph.D., co-authored a published research study entitled “The biomechanics of concussion for ice hockey head impact events” in Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. The work was a collaboration between the University of Ottawa School of Human Kinetics, St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and University College Dublin School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering. This research on head injury biomechanics, concussions, and helmets was part of a lab research project conducted while Michio Clark completing his Masters at the University of Ottawa under Dr. Blaine Hoshizaki direction. Below is a link to their publication. Read the publication on open access.
Jeff Wheeler was an invited speaker along with co-panelist Lisa McMains, Esq., Nick Brauns, Esq., and Hanhtrinh Le, MS on the Biomechanics of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI).
The panel presented the latest scientific research on the biomechanics of mTBI including data used to predict a Combined Probability of Concussion using linear and rotational head accelerations. Case studies were used to demonstrate how biomechanical experts can estimate head accelerations in motor vehicle collisions and industrial/occupational accidents and then utilize the latest data to predict the probability of concussion. The panel also discussed the effective use of experts on mTBI cases and included an interactive session of questions and answers from the audience.
Wade A. Baker, M.S., co-authored an article in the prestigious Journal of Biomechanics related to his research on lower limb injuries resulting from underbody loads. Mr. Baker’s article is a product of his work with Virginia Tech and the Army Research Laboratory to design a new anthropomorphic test device (i.e. crash dummy) to advance the safety of military vehicles. The research involved experiments and finite element modeling of human surrogates and dummies with the goal of developing improved injury criteria related to fractures of the foot, ankle and lower leg.
On Thursday, November 15, 2018, Vector Scientific Inc. (VSI) visited the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in Golden, Colorado for an Information Session. An event co-sponsored by VSI, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the CMS Career Center. Jeffrey Wheeler, M.S., President - Director of Biomechanics, and Zachariah Weimer, M.S., P.E., Senior Engineer, shared the story of Vector Scientific and the engineering students participating provided a great exchange of questions and answers.
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Wade A. Baker, M.S., co-authored an article published in Traffic Injury Prevention related to his research on developing a computational finite element (FE) model of the Warrior Injury Assessment Maniken (WIAMan). The WIAMan is a new human surrogate for studying human responses to underbody blast and other vertical loading scenarios. His article focuses on further development of the lower limb model and the effect a combat boot has on mitigating forces transferred to the lower extremity. Mr. Baker’s research was part of a larger project funded by the Army Research Laboratory to improve the safety of military vehicles, in particular to the threat of improvised explosive devices.
Wade A. Baker, M.S., co-authored an article in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials related to his research to characterize the behavior of materials used in a new human surrogate (i.e crash dummy). The materials represent various human anatomical structures in the lower leg and were specially selected to give the dummy a “human-like” response under extreme loading conditions. The purpose of Mr. Baker’s article was to develop computational/mathematical models of the materials so that they could be implemented in a finite element model of the dummy.
Steve Storvik, Quinn Campbell, and Jeff Wheeler published a research study entitled "Asphyxia in Motor Vehicle Crashes: Analysis of Crash-Related Variables Using NASS-CDS and Forensic Case Studies" in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology.
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J. Quinn Campbell, Ph.D. published two articles in the prestigious Journal of Biomechanics based on his research on finite element modeling of lumbar spine biomechanics.
VSI President and Director of Biomechanics Jeff Wheeler presented at the 2016 CLM Atlanta Product Liability Conference along with Chris Egner, Esq. of Continental Tire the Americas in Fort Mill, South Carolina and Carly Celmer, Esq. of Thornton Davis Fein (now Clyde & Co) in Miami, Florida. The title of their presentation was Simplifying through Storytelling: Use of Animations and Graphics in Complex Product Liability Claims.
J. Quinn Campbell completed his Ph.D. at the Colorado School of Mines in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Biomechanics. Congratulations Dr. Campbell!
Biomechanical Engineer Steve Storvik attended the 59th Stapp Car Crash Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.
VSI conducted more than 70 tests on 23 different seat belts.
Senior Engineer and Accident Reconstruction Expert Zach Weimer completed two technical courses. Zach completed a SAE and ACTAR certified course on "Vehicle Dynamics for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks". Zach also traveled to Detroit, Michigan to complete the SAE course "Reconstruction and Analysis of Rollover Crashes of Light Vehicles".
Biomechanical Engineer Steve Storvik went to San Diego in November to participate in the 58th Stapp Car Crash Conference and the 42nd International Workshop on Human Subjects for Biomechanical Research. In July Senior Biomechanical Engineer traveled to Boston to participate in the 7th World Congress of Biomechanics.
Jeff Wheeler presented at the American Bar Association (ABA) 2014 Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The presentation, entitled Building a Cutting Edge Biomechanical Analysis Using Case specific Data in Complex Automobile Collisions, was a collaborative effort with product liability attorney Aaron Davis from Thornton, Davis & Fein of Miami, Florida. The presentation focused on how biomechanical experts can solve unique challenges presented in complex automobile collisions by querying crash field data and statistically analyzing case specific variable to predict injury probability. The ability to statistically analyze and present the influence and significance of case specific variables on occupant injury risk builds a robust biomechanical analysis of injury risk and probability.
Quinn Campbell was promoted to Senior Biomechanical Engineer. Since 2009 Quinn has been a valuable member of the VSI Biomechanics team conducting forensic biomechanics analyses on automobile, sport/recreation, and industrial/occupational accidents. Mr. Campbell serves as a Project Leader at VSI including testifying as an expert witness. Quinn is also a Research Assistant in the Computational Biomechanics Group at the Colorado School of Mines Center of Biomechanics & Rehabilitation Research.
Jeff Wheeler gave an invited lecture on Forensic Biomechanics at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado as part of the CU Department of Integrative Physiology Spring Colloquium. The Colloquium was attended by Faculty, Post-Docs, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students. After the morning lecture, Jeff spent the rest of the day with graduate students including further answering their questions about the science and business of forensic biomechanics in an afternoon classroom panel session as part of their spring colloquium course.
Steve Storvik attended a SAE course on Injuries, Anatomy, Biomechanics & Federal Regulation in Troy, Michigan. This special course covered current automotive safety issues including injury scales, human tolerance parameters, occupant protection, crash testing and test devices, current and proposed injury criteria and their biomechanical basis, and related federal rulemaking. Steve has been a Biomechanical Engineer with VSI since 2011.
Zach Weimer Joins VSI as Senior Engineer (August 2013) VSI Mr. Weimer is a Registered Professional Engineer, Board Certified Diplomat in Forensic Engineering, and Fully Accredited Traffic Accident Reconstructionist. Mr. Weimer graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a MS and BS in Engineering. Mr. Weimer recently presented at the National Academy of Forensic Engineers on scientific methodology in automobile accident reconstruction. Mr. Weimer has qualified and testified in court as an expert witness in accident reconstruction.
OMICS Group acquired the Journal of Forensic Biomechanics and has appointed Quinn Campbell of VSI to their Editorial Board. JFB is an open access and peer-reviewed journal covering the application of biomechanics to investigate and establish facts of interest in relation to criminal or civil law. JFB publishes original research, review articles, case reports, and short communications related to forensic biomechanics applications in the areas of computational forensics, criminalistics, digital forensics, scientific methodology, constitutive modeling of physiological tissue, causes and prevention of accidents, safety standards and regulation.
SAE's Automotive Engineering International featured an article on VSI’s ability to recreate and simulate complex vehicle accidents and the events inside the vehicle that result in occupant injuries.
VSI is pleased to announce Steven G. Storvik, M.S. has joined our Biomechanics staff. Steve joined VSI after completing his Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University where he specialized in impact biomechanics and conducted research in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Mr. Storvik's research experience includes biomechanics of spine injuries, crashworthiness, computer modeling, and epidemiology of injuries.
ESI Group, a provider of virtual prototyping software, recognized VSI's simulation and reconstruction capabilities in an application brief for its Passenger Safety newsletter.
Quinn Campbell is pursuing his PhD in the Computational Biomechanics Group in the Colorado School of Mines Bioengineering Program. Quinn will remain a full-time employee at VSI while pursuing his doctorate.
Jeff Wheeler presented an educational lecture to an audience of coaches and parents at Arvada Hockey Association on concussions in youth ice hockey. Information was shared regarding the biomechanics of concussions, immediate signs/symptoms for coaches to recognize, monitoring of ongoing symptoms by parents, as well as the latest information regarding return-to-play guidelines.
VSI participated in the 54th AAAM Conference in Las Vegas with a poster presentation of original VSI research entitled Children in Rollover Accidents: Review of NASS-CDS 1995-2007. VSI co-authors included Quinn Campbell and Jeff Wheeler. Rollover accidents are the most common accident type analyzed by VSI in our casework. Field data from the NASS-CDS database has proven to be a valuable tool during our analyses when studying the effect of case specific variables on injury probability.
VSI is pleased to acknowledge that Jason Skiera has received his Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification from the State of Michigan.
VSI biomechanical engineer David Raymond, PhD co-chaired the Biomechanics session at the annual SAE 2010 World Congress held in Detroit. Dr. Raymond has been a member of the SAE Occupant Protection Committee since 2006 and continues to participate as an active organizer and chairman for sessions on Occupant Protection at the annual World Congress.
Jeff Wheeler (VSI President / Director of Biomechanics) was named to the Board of Associate Editors for the Journal of Forensic Biomechanics. More information about this journal may be found at their website.
VSI staff including President and Director of Biomechanics Jeff Wheeler presented a lecture on Concussion Awareness in Ice Hockey as part of a Coaching Clinic Series at Arvada Hockey Association. This lecture focused on brain injury mechanisms in ice hockey, medical guidelines for concussed adolescents, the effect of repeat concussions, and current scientific efforts in head protection.
Quinn Campbell continues to be involved with the ASTM F27 Committee Meeting on Ski Safety and attended their meeting in Vail, Colorado. This Committee, focused on Snow Skiing, was formed in 1982 and meets twice each year. The meetings usually include workshops on the latest statistical information on ski injuries as well as advances in ski safety.