Sgt. Steve Ashton, president/owner of Ashton Collision/Reconstruction Technology L.L.C., began operations in his company in 2005. As a supervisor in charge of the traffic division and major accident investigations for the Forest Park Police Department since 1982, he has conducted hundreds of accident investigations. In 2003, he founded a group of police accident reconstructionists known as C.A.A.R.S. (Cincinnati Area Auto Accident Reconstruction Society) to propagate training and local networking throughout the region. He subsequently received countywide recognition when he presented the concept of a countywide accident reconstruction team to the Hamilton County Police Association.

Throughout his career, Sgt. Ashton has focused his attention on traffic and has found his expert opinion on auto accident investigations sought in many instances by other agencies.

Curriculum Vitae
Stephen M. “Steve” Ashton
5431 Dellbrook Drive
Fairfield, Ohio 45014
(513) 240-4887

Summary Of Qualifications

Forest Park Police Department
1980 - present
Forest Park, Ohio
Duties: Assigned to Traffic Division 1982 – Fatal Auto Accident Investigator; November 2005 – Lieutenant in charge of Road Patrol; December 1998 to November 2005 – Sergeant in Charge of Traffic Division; Auto Accident Reconstructionist (Determining Causal Factors of Auto Accidents through Investigative Techniques including Conservation of Linear Momentum, Vector Analysis, Vehicle Crush Dynamics, etc.), President/Founder of T.A.R.A. (Tri-State Accident Reconstruction Association), Write and Coordinate Traffic Grants, D.U.I. Taskforce Coordinator, C.A.L.E.A. Accreditation Program Manager

Formal Education

Certified Law Enforcement Executive, 2006

Police Executive Leadership College, 1999

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, Criminal Justice, BS – 1990

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, Law Enforcement, AS – 1980

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, Psychology, 1974 – 1976

Certifications

Total Station Forensic Mapping Certification – June 2005

A.C.T.A.R. #1474 (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction) – September 2004

Auto Accident Reconstructionist (I.P.T.M.) – July 2003

Specialized Training / Courses

Course –“Motorcycle Crash Investigation,” Topics: Motoryccle Identification and Orientation, Motorcycle Dynamics, Evidence from the Roadway, Evidence from the Vehicle, Motorcycle Tires, Motorcycle Practicum, Practicum Review and calculations, Motorcycle Formulas, Helmets, Class Project, Test and Review. Staged Motorcycle drag factor testing, Motorcycle Braking using different surfaces, Motorcycle acceleration and deceleration testing. Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, Columbus, Ohio, July 18-22, 2007, Instructors P.S.P. Cpl. Sullenberger, O.S.P. Sgt. Horvath (40 hour)

Conference – “Special Problems in Traffic Crash Reconstruction,” Topics: Digital Photography for the Crash Investigator; Interviewing Techniques for the Crash Investigator, Spin Analysis Case Study; Balancing Collision Forces in Crush/Energy Analyses; Forensic Animation: Visual Statement; Crash Investigation Overview (NHTSA); Proper Application of Drag Coefficients to ABS Affected Yaw and Skid; Staged Bus/Vehicle Crash, Staged Wooden Pole Crashes. University of North Florida, I.P.T.M., Jacksonville, Fl., April 2007 (28 Hour)

Course – “Technology in Accident Reconstruction,” hosted by Centerville Police Department by Northcoast Polytechnic Institute, Instructor Henry Lipian, ACTAR #83. November 13, 2006 (8 hour)

Course – “Expert Testimony in Accident Reconstruction,” hosted by Centerville Police Department by Northcoast Polytechnic Institute, Instructor Henry Lipian, ACTAR #83. October 25, 2006 (8 hour)

Conference – “Pennsylvania State Police Collision Reconstruction Seminar,” Topics: Biomechanics in Collision Reconstruction by Dr. Richard Nelson; Railroad Collision Investigation by Bob Halsted, Todays Reconstruction Formulas by John Daily & Nate Shigemura; Calculating Heavy Truck Braking by Wade Bartlett. (State College, PA.). September 26-28, 2006 (24 hour)

Course – “Total Station Forensic Mapping Certification,” Boone County Sheriff’s Office by Officer John Smoot (Lexington, Ky. PD). June 2005 (32 hour)

Conference – "Crash Investigation & Reconstruction Update,” Topics: CDR System Overview; Commercial Vehicle EDR’s; Commercial Airbrake Systems; DNA Evidence in Fatal Crashes; Rotational Mechanics; Criminal Prosecution in Fatal Crash Cases; Drag Sled Comparisons with test skids, VC3000 & Escort G-Timer, Staged Airbag Equipped Vehicle Crashes. Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy, Columbus, Oh., June 2005 (16 Hour)

Conference - “Special Problems in Traffic Crash Reconstruction,” Topics: Drag Sled Analysis/Validation; Airborne Validation; Automobile Glass Strengths and Weaknesses; Uniform Circular Motion; Effective Use of Published Motorcycle Data; Staged Under-ride Collision. University of North Florida, I.P.T.M., Jacksonville, Fl., April 2005 (28 Hour)

Course – “Vehicle Crush Dynamics and Determination of Speed from Vehicle Crush,” Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, Richfield, OH., October 2004. (40 Hour)

Conference – “Special Problems in Traffic Crash Reconstruction,” Topics: Testing & Review of Uniform Circular Motion – Lateral Lane Changes & Critical Speed; Commercial Vehicle Data Recorders; Travel Speed Calculations with Skids and Impact; Vehicle Autopsy and Hydroplane. University of North Florida, I.P.T.M., Jacksonville, FL., April 2004. (28 Hour)

Course – “Auto Sketch C.A.D. Drawing,” Raymond Walters College, Blue Ash, OH., October 2003. (40 Hour)

Course – “Vehicle Crush Dynamics and Determination of Speed from Vehicle Crush,” Westchester Police Department, Westchester, OH., July 2003. (24 Hour)

Course – “Auto Accident Reconstruction,” I.P.T.M. Montgomery, OH., July 2003. (80 Hour)

Course – “Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement,” Butler County Sheriff, Hamilton, OH., June 1993. (24 Hour)

Course – “Technical Auto Accident Investigation,” Ohio State Highway Patrol, Columbus, OH., September 1981. (154 Hour)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

A.C.T.A.R. (Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction, ACTAR # 1474)

N.A.P.A.R.S. (National Association of Professional Accident Reconstructionist Society)

T.A.R.A. (Tri-State Accident Reconstruction Association) – Founder and President

ARC Network (www.accidentreconstruction.com)

O.I.O. (Ohio Identification Officers)

H.C.P.A. (Hamilton County Police Association)

REFERENCES

Sgt. Steve Schueler
Blue Ash Police Department
(513) 745-8450 (W)
(513) 266-5590
Blue Ash, Ohio

Sgt. Tom Stein
Norwood Police Department
(513) 458-4521 (W)
(513) 615-2342 (C)
Norwood, Ohio