Professional Biography
Chris Medwell is a Senior Forensic Engineer at YA Group who has been involved in all aspects of accident reconstruction and collision analysis since 1990. He has investigated and analyzed thousands of crashes involving cars, light and heavy trucks, tractor-trailers, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Chris has extensive experience downloading and analyzing digital data from heavy truck and automobile engines, airbag and braking system electronics control modules, onboard video monitoring systems, GPS-based telematics, etc. In addition, he holds ASE certifications in brakes, suspension, and steering systems for cars and trucks. He has extensive experience documenting the condition of braking and steering systems on tractor-trailers and other heavy trucks. He is a certified FAA remote drone pilot and routinely uses leading-edge technology to collect and analyze the information surrounding each crash. He is skilled at communicating his findings in written report form and testifying in depositions and courtrooms.
Credentials & Certifications
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- FAA Certified Drone Pilot (FAACDP)
- CDR Technician and Data Analyst
- ASE Mechanic in Suspension, Steering and Brakes
Professional Experience
- Senior Managing Accident Reconstructionist | YA Engineering Services | 2024 - Current
- Senior Engineer | Bloomberg Consulting | 2006 - 2024
- Forensic Engineer | HRYCAY Consulting Engineers | 2004 - 2006
- Investigative Engineer | Becker Transportation Safety (BTS) Consulting Engineers | 1989 - 2003
- Service Engineer, Zone Service Manager | Ford Motor Company of Canada | 1982 - 1988
Practices & Skillsets
- Heavy Trucking
Publications and Presentations
- “Verifying EDR Data From a Ram ProMaster 1500 Van Collision”, Collision Magazine, Volume 16: Issue 1, 2022 (2022)
- “Case Analysis Solution: Discovering and Explaining a CDR Data Anomaly”, Collision Magazine, Volume 16: Issue 1, 2022 (2022)
- “Development of a Test Procedure for Setting Non-Deployment (ND) Events”, Collision Magazine, Volume 16: Issue 1, 2022 (2022)
- “Unlocking the Black Box”, American Bar Association, Committee News (Fall 2012) (2012)
- “Motorcycle Slide to Stop Testing”, SAE Paper #970963, 1997 SAE International Conference (1997)
Education
- Bachelor of Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Training Courses
- Mack / Volvo Forensic Imaging Training, DELTA |v|, Charlotte, NC (September 2021)
- Advanced Photogrammetry for Accident Reconstruction, Lightpoint Scientific LLC, Orlando FL (November 2019)
- Virtual Crash Simulation Software, vCRASH Academy & Forensic Training Group, Sandy Springs, GA (October 2019)
- EDR in Traffic Crash Reconstruction: Update & Advanced Analysis Techniques, Ruth Consulting (April 2018)
- Pedestrian Collision Reconstruction, Toronto Police College, Toronto, ON (October 2016)
- Heavy Vehicle ECM Data Use in Crash Reconstruction, Institute of Police Technology and Management, Jacksonville, FL (May 2012)
- REC-TEC Truck 2011 Advanced Commercial Vehicle Program, Michigan State University College of Engineering, New Orleans, LA (March 2011)
- Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Data Analyst Certification (Vehicle “Black Box” Systems), Collision Safety Institute, New Orleans, LA (August 2009)
- Cummins INSITE 6 Qualification, Cummins Mid-South L.L.C., Morgan City, LA (June 2007)
- Human Factors for Traffic Accident Reconstruction, Accident Dynamics Research Center, University of Massachusetts (June 2007)
- Caterpillar Engine Control Modules, Data Extraction, Thompson Power Systems, Birmingham, AL (August 2006)
- Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Data Analyst Certification, Collision Safety Institute, Clinton Township, MI (March 2006)
- DDEC Reports/Data Extrication, Detroit Diesel Training Center, Redford, Michigan (December 2004)
- Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Operator’s Certification Course, Collision Safety Institute, Toronto, Ontario (June 2002)
- Braking Performance of Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Richard Radlinski, at International Truck Assembly Plant, Chatham, Ontario (June 2001)
- Human Factors in Traffic Collisions, Canadian Association of Technical Accident Investigators and Reconstructionists (CATAIR), Mississauga, Ontario (October 1994)
- Air Brake Endorsement, St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario (May 1994)
- BH2VK Crash Testing Project, Mobility Systems Inc., San Bernardino, California (August 1992)
Affiliations
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS)
Professional Licenses
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Florida - License #70343
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Alabama - License #29499-E
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Mississippi - License #19668
- Professional Engineer (PE) - Ontario, Canada - License #90259102