{"id":33841,"date":"2024-10-04T14:34:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T13:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/?post_type=news&#038;p=33841"},"modified":"2025-05-20T08:59:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T07:59:32","slug":"hawkins-hosts-inaugural-belfast-reception","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/news\/hawkins-hosts-inaugural-belfast-reception\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawkins Hosts Inaugural Belfast Reception"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"33841\" class=\"elementor elementor-33841\" data-elementor-post-type=\"news\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5846494 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"3006\" data-id=\"5846494\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b7e910d\" data-eae-slider=\"61383\" data-id=\"b7e910d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71cf8d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"71cf8d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It was a pleasure to host our inaugural Belfast reception on the 5th September, at the prestigious Merchant Hotel.<\/p><p>Chartered Engineer and Regional Manager of our Dublin and Belfast Offices, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/experts\/john-holland-belfast-rm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">John Holland<\/a>, welcomed guests and shared details of the recent expansion, to strengthen our presence and service offering in the region. He then handed over to colleagues to deliver a CILA-accredited CPD presentation.<\/p><p>The presentation took a deep dive into a fictional Major &amp; Complex Loss incident which encompassed a personal injury claim following a structural collapse on a construction site, which led to further unforeseen consequences, highlighting the twists and turns that such investigations can take. Presenters included Hawkins experts, and guest speakers Craig Faulkner of Crawford &amp; Company and Catherine Carton, of Carson McDowell.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-083ccce elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"69375\" data-id=\"083ccce\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-09b6fed\" data-eae-slider=\"28807\" data-id=\"09b6fed\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9ea738 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b9ea738\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture1-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33845\" alt=\"Photo of John Holland welcoming guests to our Belfast reception\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture1.jpg 1054w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44926e3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"12106\" data-id=\"44926e3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f5c21cb\" data-eae-slider=\"78753\" data-id=\"f5c21cb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c175a10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c175a10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Craig opened the presentation to set the scene on our fictitious incident of the failure of a mast climbing working platform (MCWP) which resulted in a substantial claim for personal injury. He highlighted a further potential claim related to a road traffic collision (RTC), which was allegedly caused by cladding materials being strewn across the road, as a result of the original mast climber failure.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2579023 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"10545\" data-id=\"2579023\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b402d86\" data-eae-slider=\"52036\" data-id=\"b402d86\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51e0768 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"51e0768\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33846\" alt=\"Image of guest speaker Guest speaker Craig Faulkner at our Belfast reception\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture2.jpg 932w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture2-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1236499 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"15608\" data-id=\"1236499\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3a91f6b\" data-eae-slider=\"47154\" data-id=\"3a91f6b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33cc06a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33cc06a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Personal Injury expert, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/experts\/jon-watkins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jon Watkins<\/a> explained his approach to the initial investigation. This included an early site visit while the scene was intact, assessing the relevant regulations, interviews with site management, and a review of Health &amp; Safety procedures and inspection logs.<\/p><p>Being an A2 Certificate of Competence (A2CofC) certified drone pilot, Jon is able to use his drone to capture ariel views of difficult-to-reach places. Jon explained that the drone images he could capture showed that the support system had not failed, the masts had not buckled and despite the collapse, the working platform had not failed. He concluded that it may have been an internal failure and upon providing an initial report, outlined the need for further work from a materials expert to find the root cause of the failure.<\/p><p>Jon introduced, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/experts\/christabel-evans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr Christabel Evans<\/a>, who was tasked with identifying if the failure was a result of a materials defect, and whether the incident could have been prevented. Giving the audience an overview of how mast climbers work, Christabel explained that the mast climber relies on a rack and pinion system to move the platform up and down. Her investigation included a review of:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c30ce0c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"44811\" data-id=\"c30ce0c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-028a8e1\" data-eae-slider=\"68013\" data-id=\"028a8e1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2394d1e elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"2394d1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The maximum rated capacity of the platform; which is dependent on even loading across the platform.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The potential for overloading.  If the load had been concentrated on one side, it is possible that the structure didn't buckle, but one or both pinions had become overloaded.   <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Other possibilities including design issues, poor material selection, or lack of maintenance. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2b7a83e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"46888\" data-id=\"2b7a83e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9c9b815\" data-eae-slider=\"76110\" data-id=\"9c9b815\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71023db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"71023db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Christabel revealed that two fractured pinions were found on the building site beside the mast climber. The lower pinion was covered in hardened cement which indicated that it had been lying on the ground for some time, failing before the incident occurred. Following the fracture of the lower pinion, the left-hand side of the mast climber failed and tilted steeply downwards towards the ground. This put undue pressure on the upper pinion, as it had to carry all the load. Examination of the upper pinion indicated that it had subsequently cracked and eventually failed from fatigue.<\/p><p>Christabel noted that in cases like this, it is common for the health and safety executive (HSE) to undertake their own investigation. On these occasions, Christabel will attend the site with the HSE engineer. It is not unusual for the HSE to retain crucial components of a case, meaning that an investigator may not have access to these for weeks or even months after an incident. This highlights the importance of instructing a Hawkins forensic investigator who can attend site quickly and complete an examination before items are removed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d50277a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"46826\" data-id=\"d50277a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-04b9b3b\" data-eae-slider=\"48035\" data-id=\"04b9b3b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-f304c41 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"77249\" data-id=\"f304c41\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c281997\" data-eae-slider=\"88164\" data-id=\"c281997\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-700dc3c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"700dc3c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33847\" alt=\"Image shows Hawkins&#039; major and complex loss presentation\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture3.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture3-257x300.jpg 257w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-22a645a\" data-eae-slider=\"50299\" data-id=\"22a645a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8719cf6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8719cf6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33848\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture4.jpg 829w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7c665f5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"2776\" data-id=\"7c665f5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5331b96\" data-eae-slider=\"60178\" data-id=\"5331b96\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51cd0ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51cd0ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Solicitor, Catherine Carton explained how the findings from the Hawkins investigation enabled her to establish where liability sat between each party, including the manufacturer of the mast climber, the cladding subcontractor, and the main contractor. Catherine then led the discussion on to the secondary incident, being the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/road-traffic-collisions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RTC<\/a>, alleged to have been caused by the fallen debris.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/experts\/gavin-dunn\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gavin Dunn<\/a> introduced his role as an RTC investigator starting with a site visit to assess the scene and collect relevant evidence while it is still intact. He surveyed key positions and distances, assessed lines of sight, and completed a video drive-through and 3D laser scan to capture the scene in detail. With this information, Gavin was able model the orientation of the car at impact and approximate its path.<\/p><p>A typical RTC investigation may include a vehicle inspection to assess the damage, extraction of airbag data and dashcam footage, and their review, together with police and witness evidence. In this case, having found that the car had gradually drifted off the road and that the driver did not steer or brake to avoid the debris, he requested that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/cyber-digital-technology\/digital-forensics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Digital Forensics<\/a> expert, Callum Hogan, investigate whether there were any other plausible reasons as to why the car had veered off course.<\/p><p>Callum acquired a <em>\u2018digital forensic image\u2019<\/em> of the driver\u2019s mobile phone, which is a forensically sound copy of all the data stored in the phone, including deleted data. He extracted all user-generated data in the minutes before, during and after the collision, to determine whether the mobile was in use. The data confirmed that a call was in progress at the point of impact and was initiated by the driver using the handset rather than the in-vehicle communication system.<\/p><p>A review of messages uncovered two text messages sent by the driver minutes before the RTC occurred, with the second sent three seconds before the point of impact. Both messages were manually typed on the mobile telephone.<\/p><p>Callum also accessed a map application to see if an active route was planned and what the destination was, to establish a timeline of events. He concluded with clear evidence that the driver is most likely to have been distracted while driving, through use of their phone.<\/p><p>Catherine and Craig closed the presentation with their summaries on the advice that they would provide to the insurers and where liability was apportioned.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e81b4d6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"486\" data-id=\"e81b4d6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a5a4d3a\" data-eae-slider=\"15074\" data-id=\"a5a4d3a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0463b46 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"94868\" data-id=\"0463b46\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d75a946\" data-eae-slider=\"77271\" data-id=\"d75a946\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce4f578 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce4f578\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"406\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture5.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33849\" alt=\"picture of guests socialising at the Merchant Hotel Belfast\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture5.jpg 608w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture5-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0c5ef7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b0c5ef7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"406\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture7.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33851\" alt=\"Picture of Hawkins Investigator, Inigo Beckett, showing off our VR exhibit\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture7.jpg 608w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a57bf4f\" data-eae-slider=\"80613\" data-id=\"a57bf4f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33a0a3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"33a0a3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture6.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33850\" alt=\"picture of guests exploring the exhibits at the Merchant Hotel Belfast\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture6.jpg 599w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bef9e5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bef9e5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"598\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture8.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-33852\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture8.jpg 598w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Picture8-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b929742 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"58353\" data-id=\"b929742\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-28aec0f\" data-eae-slider=\"26936\" data-id=\"28aec0f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1271a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d1271a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Guests were then invited to join the drinks reception, which provided an opportunity to meet our investigators, examine exhibits from real Hawkins\u2019 cases and take a tour of a real case using a virtual reality headset, demonstrating how Hawkins uses drones and photogrammetry in our investigations.<\/p><p>We would like to thank all our guests who attended the reception and hope it offered an insightful perspective into our expertise and how we conduct investigations.<\/p><p>You can view all our upcoming events on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/events\/?_sft_event_category=upcoming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It was a pleasure to host our inaugural Belfast reception on 5 September, at the prestigious Merchant Hotel. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":33842,"parent":0,"template":"","news_category":[17,18],"experties":[62,64,65,69,70],"class_list":["post-33841","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news_category-hawkins-office-news","news_category-civil-engineering","experties-built-environment","experties-cyber-digital-technology","experties-engineering","experties-personal-injury","experties-road-traffic-collisions"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast 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