PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Wow! This sounds like our very own CSI team - well one that pertains to Accident scenes at any rate. Why are they only in the Western Cape? Surely there should be branches in all the major centres that can then service the smaller towns and/or regions.

Come on people, this is a huge business opportunity - one that could be hugely lucrative!

Putting the record straight
11 June 2007 at 12h00

What does your job entail? We reconstruct accident scenes, producing forensic evidence for our clients, who are mainly insurance companies and fleet owners. We have received endorsement from the national and the local government, the South African Police Service, the Road Accident Fund of South Africa and most short-term insurance service providers. Our methods are largely based on North American models, and we use internationally proven computer software and investigative techniques. We operate the only at-scene mobile laboratory in Africa, which enables us to complete an investigation, complete reports, print plans and even produce animations - all at the scene of an accident before we leave.

The evidence we produce has various uses. These include insurance claims, litigation, Road Accident Fund personal injury claims, internal disciplinary hearings, environmental impact reports, fraud prevention, fire/arson investigations, insurance fraud, criminal and drunken driving cases. We pride ourselves on our independence and integrity - even if this means losing a client. We only state the facts, record the evidence and interpret the available evidence - nothing more, nothing less.

Average work day: We are on call 24 hours a day and we are often required to drive to an accident scene at a moment's notice. Tasks include at-scene investigation, at-scene investigation reports, preliminary reconstruction reports, forensic accident reconstruction, training, animation, 3-D modelling and court testimony.

Best part of the job: It is rewarding when the reconstruction of an accident scene helps settle a case.

Worst part of the job: Having acted in an anti-corruption capacity more times than we care to mention, we are constantly exposed to assault - on our credibility and even our safety.

Why did you choose this career?

Bezuidenhout: I started the business when I returned to SA after a year in Canada, and was appointed a Beta tester for the Visual Statement (now Vista Fx) suite of application-specific software. Not long after I started out, I appeared as an expert witness in the High Court, and realised there was an urgent need for an independent, unbiased, at-the-scene accident investigation entity. Someone had to go to all accidents, no matter how small, recording all evidence as if it were a serious criminal case.

Smith: I did this job after hours before becoming a full-time member of the team. My strengths are communication and interpersonal skills, so I do most of the interviews with accident victims and bystanders.

Claasens: I worked in the motor industry for many years and accident investigation was part of my job. This seemed like a logical next step.

Are you paid enough?

Yes, we are comfortable.

Rate your work stress on a scale of one to 10: This is a high-stress job - close to 10.

What do you do in your leisure time?

Because we are always on call we have very little free time but when we do, we enjoy motor sports and sitting in coffee shops watching the world go by.Travel opportunities? Yes, we travel all over South Africa but mainly in the Western Cape.