NorthAmerican Technical & Forensic Services Reports
A forensic examination, as defined by The American College of Forensic Examiners, “refers to a professional who performs an orderly analysis, investigation, inquiry, test, inspection or examination in an attempt to obtain the truth and form an expert opinion”.
The NorthAmerican vehicle theft reports reflect that philosophy and are organized, orderly, and concise with examination procedures clearly noted and results detailed in every report. Every category of a vehicle examination is consistent and has specific methods and procedures.
Science is defined as “knowledge that is based on testing and proving facts” and “study that produces knowledge” [1] NorthAmerican utilizes scientific procedures, defined as “relating to science or using its methods” and “done very carefully, using an organized system”. 1 Forensic reports are scientific reports and must be organized and orderly while providing the facts based upon study and knowledge.
Procedure
A NorthAmerican Technical & Forensic trained and qualified field examiner receives an assignment to examine and photograph a vehicle. Every examiner recognizes their equal responsibility to both the insured and the insurance company. The field examiner recovers and/or examines relevant parts and makes a determination based exclusively upon their analysis with no outside influences. Without exception, every examiner personally details the examination, including methods and procedures, on a structured, formatted report form. The report is hand written and signed by the examiner and is vehicle specific. Supporting photographs are placed in sequence, numbered and noted.
The completed reports and photographs are forwarded to the NATS office facility in Las Vegas, NV. Again, without exception, the reports and photographs are peer reviewed by a qualified forensic examiner. The reports are then processed (typed, pictures placed on photo pages with captions, technical attachments added, are proof read and signed or signature stamped on behalf of the examiner and reviewer). The completed reports are then forwarded to the client. The original hand written, structured report, which has been personally signed by both the examiner and reviewer, is placed in the file. Without exception, a copy of the completed (typed) report is signed by the person who completed peer review (normally Robert Mangine) and returned to the examiner for his signature and filed for future use. There are two (2) existing examiner signed reports.
Forensic and Technical Reports
NorthAmerican has been using a structured, formatted report form for our work product since 1993. When the report formats were designed they were done so using police report formats, fire department report formats and formats used in legal forms obtained from an office supply store. The report formats (there are currently 6 different reports) are periodically reviewed and revised based upon new automotive technology, newly identified theft methods or trends, as well as other factors. As an example, the report for a recovered theft (burned) in 1997 was six (6) pages. The current report format is 20 pages.
The structured, formatted report assures every examination is consistently performed using the proper procedures and methods, it guarantees all categories of the examination are properly addressed and the results are detailed and documented.
A proper forensic report demands that the examinations are conducted and reported in a detailed and consistent manner and is specific to the vehicle examined. The NorthAmerican standards for vehicle examination conclusions have been peer reviewed by independent automotive forensic experts and insurance industry personnel and/or attorneys.
[1] Longman Dictionary of The American Language; 2002 edition 
