Introduction
The AB Forensics Ltd collision reconstruction team recently received the freshly minted 851 FCA Bosch CDR Camera Module Cable; and took some time to understand the benefit of having it in the collision investigators toolkit.
Supported Vehicles
The 851 cable is used to connect to the Driver Monitoring System Module (DMSM) camera module (DCM) in the following Jeep vehicles:
What is the DMSM?
From the perspective of the collision investigator, the DMSM system is comprised of a module with data storage capabilities and a driver-facing camera system. The driver-facing camera system is located just behind the steering wheel. The module is located in the vicinity of the steering wheel column.
What kind of data does it store?
As per the BOSCH CDR help file information; the DMSM will record driver camera images upon certain trigger events, and defines a trigger event as an airbag deployment. It is capable of storing 3 events and can store 5 images from each event.
How do we retrieve the data?
Data retrieval can be completed in the vehicle by two methods
1 Connecting directly to the DMSM module near the steering wheel column using the 851 cable and CDR900 toolkit (fairly straight-forward)
2 The DMSM module can be removed from the vehicle for completion of a benchtop data acquisition using the 851 Cable, CDR900 toolkit AND additional components. The additional components are listed on the BOSCH CDR Tool Help File as being the camera system which, as per the Help File, need to be purchased either from a local Jeep dealer or scrap yard (not-so straight-forward)
IMPORTANT: when connecting directly to the DCM module, you will need to use the vehicles driver camera in order to get the module to communicate in orded to retrieve data. A camera can be purchased from a local Jeep dealer (MOPAR P/N: 04672802AC ) or it can be purchase from a similar vehicle at a wrecking yard.
Overall impression
The 851 cable may be an indicator of the increasingly complex vehicle systems that will store data that is useful to the digital vehicle forensic investigator.
As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and the 851 cable may provide the collision investigator with a very useful source of digital evidence in certain collision scenarios.
Digital Vehicle Forensic Tech Tip
With the requirement to use the unique camera system from the Jeep for the purpose of completing a benchtop data acquisition from the DMSM module; it may be useful for investigators to consider removing this camera system from the vehicle if the vehicle is a total loss and using that camera system in the data acquisition process. This should ensure compatibility between the DMSM module and camera system during the data acquisition process.