Investigators at the Dutch forensic institute NFI have succeeded in decrypting the data storage system operated by car maker Tesla, providing additional information that maybe useful to accident investigators.

It was already known that Tesla Motor store accident-related data in an event data recorder, but the Dutch researchers, the NFI said, found that the system stores more information than thought.

As well as information about the operation of Tesla’s autopilot semi-autonomous driving system, the system also records vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position, steering wheel angle and the use of brakes.

‘This data contains a wealth of information for forensic investigators and traffic accident analysts and can help with a criminal investigation after a fatal traffic accident or an accident with injury,’ said Francis Hoogendijk, a digital investigator at the NFI.

Tesla has remote access to the data and it is periodically sent from the car to the manufacturer and used to improve the product or fix malfunctions. ‘Now that we know what kind of data can be obtained from a Tesla, we can make more specific requests for information after an accident,’ Hoogendijk said.

Tesla currently provides information from the data systems to the public prosecution department after a formal request.