Daniel J. Melcher, P.E.

Focus Forensics, LLC
Director of Engineering:
2014-Present

Armstrong Forensic Engineers, Inc.
Vice President and Director of Engineering:
2006-2014

Graduate School of Purdue University
Graduate Faculty: 2011-2014

Rimkus Consulting Group
Project Consultant: 2003-2006

Kimley-Horn and Associates
Forensic Engineering Analyst: 2003

Zook, Moore & Associates
Forensic Engineering Analyst: 2000-2003

Georgia Institute of Technology
Research Assistant: 1999-2000

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
Engineering Co-op: 1996-1997

Board Certified Diplomate in Forensic Engineering Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards through NAFE

Accredited Accident Reconstructionist
Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR), #1329

Certified Traffic Control Supervisor
American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

Work Zone Traffic Control Supervisor
Florida Department of Transportation

Certified Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Technician and Analyst Vetronix

Factory-Certified Engine Control Module (ECM) Data Extractor Detroit Diesel

U.S. DOT Qualified Motor Carrier Safety Inspector

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Member (Transportation Safety Council)

National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE), Senior Member

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Member

SAE Technical Publication Review Committee Member, Accident Reconstruction Section and Commercial Vehicle Engineering Section

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Member

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Member

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Member

International Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialist (IAARS), Member

National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists, Inc. (NAPARS), Member

Accident Dynamics Research Center

• Human Factors: Understanding Driver Response, 2006

American Society of Civil Engineers, (ASCE)
Transportation and Development Institute (TDI):

• Application of Clear Zones for Roadway Departure Crashes, 2022
• Countermeasures for Reducing Collisions at Pedestrian Crossings, 2022
• Roadway Geometric Design for Improved Safety and
  Operations for All Road Users, 2022
• Critical Aspects of Timing Traffic Signals for Road User Safety, 2022
• Design Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Plans to
  Identify Collision and Worker Safety Countermeasures, 2022
• Improving Highway Safety with Proven Crash
  Countermeasures, 2022
• Failure Investigations, 2022
• Risk Management, 2022

American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)

• Florida Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control, 2004
• Florida Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control Refresher Course, 2008
• Florida Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control Refresher Course, 2012
• Florida Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control, 2017
• Florida Advanced Work Zone Traffic Control Refresher Course, 2021

Collision Safety Institute / ARC

• Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) Certified Analyst Course, 2005
• Annual Crash Conference and Full Scale Crash Testing, 2006
• Annual Crash Conference and Full Scale Crash Testing, 2007
• Annual Crash Conference and Full Scale Crash Testing, 2009
• Annual Crash Conference and Full Scale Crash Testing, 2011
• Annual Crash Conference and Full Scale Crash Testing, 2017

Detroit Diesel Training Center

• Engine Control Module (ECM) Data Extraction Certification Course, 2005

Engineering Dynamics Corporation

• Accident Reconstruction Training Course, 2002

European Association for Accident Research and Analysis

• 22nd Annual Congress, 2013
• 24th Annual Congress, 2015

Focus Forensics, LLC

• Transportation Engineering and Accident Reconstruction Insights, 2022
• Transportation Engineering and Accident Reconstruction Insights, 2024
  • Human Factors for Driver Response
  • Traffic Signal Design and Operation
  • Transportation Engineering Sight Distance Standards
  • Automotive Mechanical Systems and Data Acquisition
  • Photogrammetric Methods
  • Video Analysis with Telemetry Data
  • LIDAR Scanning and Data Processing
  • Virtual Crash Applications for Simulation and Animation
  • PC Crash Applications for Steering and Yaw Rate
  • Expert Testimony Regulations and Standards
  • Commercial Vehicle EDR Data Extraction and Analysis
  • Vehicle EDR Systems for Toyota and General Motors

Georgia Institute of Technology Continuing Education Program

• Traffic Signal Operations at Local Intersections, 1999
• Traffic Signal Operations in Coordinated Systems, 1999

Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators (ITAI)

• Motorcycle Collision Reconstruction Seminar, 2011
• Pedestrian Collision Reconstruction Seminar, 2011
• International Conference on Collision Investigation, Interpretation, and Reconstruction, 2011

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

• ITE Technical Conference: Making a Difference in Transportation Safety, 2007
• ITE/FHWA Safety Evaluation and Crash Modification Seminar, 2007

National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)

• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2007
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2008
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2009
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2009
• Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, 2009
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2010
• Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, 2010
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2011
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2012
• Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, 2012
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2013
• Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, 2013
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2015
• Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, 2015
• General Topics in Forensic Engineering, 2016
• Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, 2016

National Lift Truck

• OSHA Industrial Powered Lift Truck Operator Course, 2013
• OSHA Industrial Powered Lift Truck Train-the-Trainer Course, 2013

Northwestern University Center for Public Safety

• Traffic Accident Reconstruction I, 2001
• Traffic Accident Reconstruction 2, 2001
• Heavy Vehicle Crash Reconstruction, 2004
• Advanced Crash Reconstruction Utilizing Human Factors, 2014

Red Vector

• Florida Professional Engineering Laws and Rules, 2005
• Florida Professional Engineering Laws and Rules, 2007
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Design, 2007
• Better Roadway Design – Intersections, 2007
• Florida Professional Engineering Laws and Rules, 2009
• Florida Professional Engineering Laws and Rules, 2011
• Florida Professional Engineering Laws and Rules, 2013

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

• Motor Vehicle Accident Reconstruction, 1999
• Passenger Vehicle Rollover TOPTEC: Causes, Prevention, and Injury, 2002
• Commercial Vehicle Braking Systems, 2008
• Event Data Recorder Symposium, 2011
• Applied Vehicle Dynamics, 2012
• Applying Automotive EDR Data to Traffic Crash Reconstruction, 2013
• Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress, 2016
• Reconstruction and Analysis of Motorcycle Crashes, 2016
• Reconstruction and Analysis of Rollover Crashes of Light Vehicles, 2016
• Vehicle Crash Reconstruction: Principles and Technology, 2019
• Accident Reconstruction, The Autonomous Vehicle and ADAS, 2020
• Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics, 2020
• Advanced Applications of Heavy Vehicle EDR Data, 2023

Society of Forensic Engineers and Scientists

• Technical Seminar, 2015

Transportation Research Board Human Factors Workshop

• Human Factors in the Courtroom: Accident Analysis in the Real World, 2000
• What Causes Accidents and How to Prevent Them, 2001
• Fatalities Arising from Driving in Rural America: What Can Be Done, 2002

U.S. DOT Transportation Safety Institute

• U.S. DOT Motor Carrier Safety Inspector Qualification (396.19), 2008

Virtual Crash

• Collision Simulation and Reconstruction, 2021

Visual Statement

• Advanced Animation & Engineering Analysis Using FX3, 2008

World Reconstruction Exposition (WREX)

• World Reconstruction Exposition (WREX), 2016
  • Driver Response
  • Rollover Crash Reconstruction
  • Speedometers and Collision Reconstruction
  • Motorcycle Collision Reconstruction
  • Motorcycle Speed from Deformation
  • Electronic Data Recorder Update
  • Pedestrian Collision Reconstruction
  • Commercial Vehicle Air Brakes
  • Video Collision Analysis

• World Reconstruction Exposition (WREX), 2023
  • Toyota Techsteam Data Analysis
  • Guardrail End Terminal Crash Reconstruction
  • Retroreflective Materials
  • Night-time Pedestrian Detection
  • Human Factors of Driver Error
  • Mobile Device Lidar Mapping
  • Motorcycle EDR
  • Video Analysis Reconstruction
  • Underride Reconstruction and Regulations
  • GM EDRs
  • Sideswipe Analysis
  • Passenger Vehicle EDR Update
  • Motorcycle Rotational Mechanics
  • FCW and AEB Systems
  • Heavy Vehicle EDR Update
  • Heavy Vehicle Underride Speed Analysis

“Accident Reconstruction 2023: Fundamentals, Physics, and the Future”, Palm Beach County Bar Association CLE Committee, 2023

“Advanced Technology Solutions for Forensic Construction Evaluations”, CLM Construction Conference, 2017

“Assessment of Intersection Visibility of Various Temporary Traffic Control Device Setups”, Midwestern/ Great Lakes ITE Conference, 2016

“Maintenance of Traffic and Roadway Design Analysis”, World Reconstruction Exposition (WREX), 2016

“Testing Methodology to Evaluate Reliability of a “Frozen” Speedometer Reading in Motorcycle/ Scooter Impacts with PreImpact Braking”, Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress, 2016

“Forensic Engineering Technology Solution for Highway Work Zone Temporary Traffic Control Investigations”, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2016

“Photogrammetric Reconstruction Methodology and Engineering Validation for Video-Captured Pedestrian Collisions”, Proceedings of the 24th Annual Congress of the European Association for Accident Research and Analysis (EVU), 2015

“Handling Roadway Maintenance of Traffic Claims”, 21st Annual West Region Construction Litigation Conference, 2015

“Accident Reconstruction and Claims Management”, 12th Annual Service Rental Car Program Conference, 2015

“Forensic Photogrammetric Analysis and Engineering Validation of Video-Captured Pedestrians Collisions” Society of Forensic Engineers and Scientists, Technical Seminar, 2015

“Bicycle Tire Friction Coefficient Variance in Wet and Dry Conditions Across Multiple Surface Pavement Types” European Association for Accident Research and Analysis, 22nd Annual Congress, Florence, Italy, 2013

“Advanced Forensic Engineering Techniques in Accident Reconstruction” Special Seminar, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2012

“Applications of GPS Data in Collision Reconstruction” 10th ITAI International Conference on Collision Investigation, Interpretation, and Reconstruction, Leeds, England, 2011

“Handling Large Loss Claims with Limited Information” PLRB Largen Loss Conference, 2011

“Forensic Engineering Applications of GPS Data” General Topics in Forensic Engineering Seminar, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2011

“Applications of GPS Data for Collision Reconstruction” Collision Safety Institute, Annual Crash Conference, 2011

“Forensic Engineering Analysis of Loading Dock Traffic Patterns” General Topics in Forensic Engineering Seminar, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2010

“Forensic Engineering Applications in Commercial Vehicle Safety” Advanced Topics in Accident Reconstruction, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2010

“Forensic Engineering Analysis of Night-Time Pedestrian Collisions” General Topics in Forensic Engineering Seminar, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2010

“Vehicular and Driver Factors in Commercial Vehicle Safety” 1st International Road Safety Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 2009

“Roadway Maintenance Factors in Collision Reconstruction” 1st International Road Safety Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 2009

“Forensic Engineering Analysis of Commercial Vehicle Dynamics” General Topics in Forensic Engineering Seminar, National Academy of Forensic Engineers, 2009

“Forensic Engineering Applications in Transportation Safety” Guest Lecturer, Transportation Safety Graduate Course, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Fulton School of Engineering, Arizona State University, 2009

“Commercial Vehicle Dynamics for Collision Reconstruction” Collision Safety Institute, Annual Crash Conference, 2009

“Night-time Pedestrian Safety Factors in South Africa” 1st Annual Road Safety Conference, Republic of South Africa Road Traffic Management Agency, 2007

“Night-time Pedestrian Collision Reconstruction Factors” Collision Safety Institute, Annual Crash Conference, 2007

“Vehicle Accident Analysis & Reconstruction”, “Commercial Vehicle Accident Reconstruction”, “Roadway Design, Safety, and Work Zone Evaluations”, “Impact and Damage Analysis of Low-Speed Vehicle Collisions”, “Airbag and Seatbelt Pre-tensioner Technology”, “Damage Analysis for Evaluating Consistency and Fraud” Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc., taught at multiple locations on multiple dates, 2003 – 2006

“Roadway Design and Construction Zone Safety Evaluations” National Association of Subrogation Professionals, 2004 Annual Conference, 2004

“Forensic Engineering: Answering the Questions What, Why and How” Florida Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 2003

“Comprehensive Methodology for Evaluating Sight Distance for Major Road Left Turns” Institute of Transportation Engineers, Annual Meeting and Exhibit, 2003

“Driver Oversteer and Directional Control Loss: Physical Fundamentals and Transportation Safety Applications” Transportation Research Board, 81st Annual Meeting, 2002

“Sight Distance for Left Turns from the Major Road: Assessment of Gap Acceptance Methodology from a Vehicle/Driver Performance Perspective” TRANSPO, 2002 Conference “Safety under the Sun: Technology for Safe and Secure Transportation,” 2002

“Bayesian Analysis Development: Feasibility of “Subjective” Engineering Evaluations for Assessing Road Safety Improvements” Transportation Research Board, 80th Annual Meeting, 2001

“Traffic Signal Operations in Coordinated Systems” Georgia Institute of Technology, Continuing Education Program, 2000

“Investigation and Identification of Principal Factors Contributing to Fatal Crashes in the Southeastern United States” Georgia Tech and Federal Highway Administration, 1999-2000

“Investigation of Countermeasures for Reducing Fatal Crashes in Georgia: A Causal Chain Analysis” Georgia Tech and Georgia Department of Transportation, 1999-2000

Vehicular Accident Investigation and Reconstruction

Mr. Melcher began conducting accident reconstructions in 1999 as part of a safety research program conducted for the Federal Highway Administration and the Georgia Department of Transportation. To date, Mr. Melcher has consulted on over 2000 cases in over 40 states and Canada, covering a wide variety of vehicle types and collision scenarios.

• Automobiles
• Tractor-Trailers / Commercial Vehicles
• Buses
• Motorcycles
• Pedestrians and Rollerbladers
• Bicycles
• Trains and Light Rail Transit
• ATV’s, Golf Carts, and Unusual Vehicles
• Vehicle Components (Braking, Steering, Suspension, and Throttle Systems)
• Tire analysis
• Immediate Response Site and Vehicle Inspections
• Data Collection
• Scene Mapping
• Sequence Determination
• Speed, Delta-V, and Principal Direction of Force (PDOF) Calculations’
• Vehicle Rollovers
• Occupant Restraint Systems’
• Headlamp Analyses
• Avoidance Analysis
• Distance-Time Evaluations
• Airbag Module Downloads and Data Analysis
• Driver Perception, Response, and Visibility Studies
• Diagrams, Graphics, Demonstrative Evidence, and Written Reports
• Expert Testimony
• Electronic Data Recorder (EDR) and “black box” data downloads and analysis
• Global Positioning (GPS) data downloads and analysis

Commercial Vehicle Collision Investigation and Reconstruction

Mr. Melcher is an expert in the field of commercial vehicle collisions with hundreds of vehicle inspections, scene inspections, and analyses. He is qualified by the U.S. DOT as a Motor Carrier Safety Inspector and has been trained extensively in heavy vehicle air brake systems and engine control module data retrieval. He is considered an international expert on commercial vehicle safety issues, speaking at technical forums, providing policy consulting to government agencies, and authoring peer-reviewed journal articles from South Africa to China and on the world wide web.

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
• Mechanical System Inspections and Out-of-Service Determinations
• Driver Hours-of-Service Logs and Rules
• Air Brake System Design, Function, and Safety
• Tractor-Trailer Dynamics and Articulated Vehicles
• Engine Control Module (ECM) Data Retrieval and Analysis
• Reconstruction of Collisions Involving Single or Multiple Heavy Vehicles

Transportation Safety Engineering

Given his expertise in the fundamentals of transportation and traffic safety, Mr. Melcher has been retained by clients nationwide to evaluate the safety characteristics of transportation facilities, including roadways, intersections, parking lots, driveways, transit stations, and pedestrian paths.

• Highway Work Zone Safety and Temporary Traffic Control
• Intersection Sight Distance
• Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Signals
• Signs, Pavement Markings, and Traffic Control Devices
• Roadside Hazards and Barriers
• Geometric Design of Curves, Hills, Lanes, Medians, and Shoulders
• Advanced Warning and Positive Guidance for Motorists
• Federal, State, and Local Standards and Guidelines
• Parking Lot and Pedestrian Facility Design
• Highway-Rail Grade Crossings