Call it “CSI: Goteborg.”

In Sweden, Volvo has dispatched its own crash-scene investigators since the early 1970s. Its Traffic Accident Research Team responds 24 hours a day to wrecks within an hour’s drive of the company’s Goteborg headquarters, alerted by the Volvo On Call system (similar to OnStar from General Motors).

The automaker is not alone in sending investigators to crash sites, but it pioneered the practice. Today, a number of manufacturers take a similar approach to glean valuable real-world information on what happens to vehicles and their occupants after a crash.

Thomas Broberg, senior safety adviser at Volvo Cars, makes certain that team members do not disturb any emergency responders or police work. “We’ll help if needed,” Mr. Broberg said.

Then they spring into action “once critical rescue work is done,” he added. “Pictures are taken, measurements are made, and impact points of the vehicles are inspected.”