Jarrod Carter, PhD, the "Forensic Miracle Worker," about forensic crash reconstruction and artificial intelligence for accident investigation.

Step into the world of forensic crash reconstruction through the eyes of Jarrod Carter, a recognised expert in biomechanical injury analysis and accident investigation. From an early fascination sparked by a mentor in high school, Jarrod's career has been defined by a relentless pursuit of answers—piecing together the puzzle of vehicle crashes and sometimes running full-scale crash tests to validate his findings. This passion led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Bioengineering, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to uncovering the truth behind every incident.

Known as the "Forensic Miracle Worker," Jarrod has built a reputation for achieving what many thought impossible in the field. His innovative approach and hands-on experience have resulted in breakthroughs that not only solve complex cases but also advance the science of crash reconstruction.

A central theme in Jarrod's work is the transformative role of artificial intelligence. He describes today's AI as "narrow", focused on specific, algorithmic tasks, but sees immense potential for the future. In crash reconstruction, AI can help manage the overwhelming volume of data generated by police reports, photos, body cam and surveillance footage, and crash test results. By enabling analysts to query this data in natural language, AI makes it possible to quickly and intuitively surface relevant information, streamlining investigations and supporting more accurate conclusions.

Jarrod envisions a future where AI automates many routine but time-consuming tasks, such as tracking vehicles in video footage or estimating speeds based on environmental data. This would enable forensic experts to focus on higher-level analysis and decision-making, utilising AI-generated insights as a springboard for more in-depth investigation. However, he cautions that current AI is fundamentally statistical and can sometimes produce "hallucinations", confident but incorrect answers, underscoring the importance of expert oversight and critical thinking.

Drawing inspiration from popular culture, Jarrod likens the ideal AI assistant to "Jarvis" from Iron Man, a trusted, intelligent partner that understands context, builds trust, and works seamlessly with human operators. He imagines a future where AI helps investigators sift through massive datasets, recognise patterns, and recommend next steps, all while maintaining transparency and reliability.

Imagine conducting a scene inspection where drones and laser scanners create detailed 3D models of accident scenes, and AI automatically aligns photos, videos, and evidence to reconstruct events as they happened. While some of these capabilities exist today, Jarrod believes the next leap will be AI systems that can perform these tasks with human-like accuracy and efficiency, making forensic investigations faster, more accurate, and more accessible.

This vision for the future of crash reconstruction is not about replacing human expertise, but about amplifying it. Through the integration of advanced technology and seasoned judgment, Jarrod Carter demonstrates how the pursuit of truth in forensic science is evolving, bringing greater clarity, accuracy, and trust to every investigation.

Customer: Jarrod Carter, PhD
Principal Analyst, Origin Forensics
Jarrod started training to practice accident reconstruction in 1989. In 1993, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University. He earned his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Washington in 2002. He began practising as an accident reconstruction and biomechanical injury analyst full-time in 2000 and has continued this practice to the present. Over the course of his three decades in this field, he has established a reputation for thoughtful, detailed analysis and clear presentation.