What Happens at the Scene of the Crash

The word "forensic" which comes from the Latin word "forensis" is defined as: "relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge." The use of forensics in an automobile accident is to investigate and reconstruct the accident from information which was obtained from the site of the collision. Any experienced forensic examiner should always be able to answer the following: what happened, how it happened, and where it happened.

"Operator or operational factors are the major cause of 90% of all automotive accidents. Information including photos, skid marks, roadway factors, and the law of physics, are all used to analyze the dynamics of a collision."

Forensic investigation on an accident scene utilizes techniques for an on site inspection and analysis to re-create the accident. This analysis is required to obtain a permanent record of the scene. Forensic photography is also done to document the accident scene for evidence to be studied later.

Some of the information which is collected at the scene is: accident collision analysis, vehicle dynamics, speed analysis, time distance studies and point of impact location. All of these studies are done to form a correct analysis to determine what caused the accident. Here are just a few things which are investigated by the forensic expert at the scene of the accident.

Vehicle and occupant's position

An exam of the vehicle's position and its computer system (if available) is checked along with the driver's identification and time of the accident. Restraint devises on the vehicle are checked such as: airbags and seat belts. The use and functions of these restraints are checked to find out if they were used (during the accident) and were functional at the time of the collision.

If fatalities are on the scene; the positioning of the fatalities in the vehicles along with their injuries are documented. Forensics uses the laws of physics and momentum involving the vehicles in the accident to complete any missing pieces of the puzzle.

Speed analysis

Vehicle dynamics is studied to determine the direction of travel for both vehicles involved. Speed analysis is done by measuring tire marks on the road surface along with checking any debris (and its path of travel) which may have come from the crash site. A diagram can be constructed by these findings to show the impact points and the rest positions of all vehicles involved in the accident.

Point of impact

The locations of the vehicles involved are documented along with the damage of the vehicles. Point of impact is now studied as the area is closed off except to any authorized forensics, police or medical responders. Vehicles are now checked for any mechanical disability factors which may have played a part in the collision. The area is kept untouched and secured so all evidence can be collected and documented for later studies.

Witness interviews

All witnesses are interviewed as information is gathered compiled and collected. Information is obtained from anyone who was an eye witness to the accident, or might have seen anything relating to the collision. Witnesses statements are examined for their corroborative value and weighed against the physical information gathered. These witnesses may also be used later for litigation matters in the court system.

Existing conditions

Weather and road conditions are checked to see if they might have played a part in the accident. Roadside design such as frictional properties and elevation are also documented along with "horizontal and vertical curvature." Road documentation is crucial in reconstruction cases; as sometimes the road itself is a contributing factor in the accident. Any outside influences are also checked such as: alcohol or drugs use which may have played a part in the accident.

Lighting conditions are also documented by the forensic investigator. Lighting is an important issue involving accidents at night. Headlights are sometimes insufficient to reveal a potential collision in time to be avoided. Moisture conditions and other factors create a complex set of conditions which determines if a roadway was visible at the time of the accident.

Forensic analysis

Accident information is gathered to complete the puzzle of any missing pieces which may exist. Some accidents are never completely solved; which leaves many families with a lot of unanswered questions about a loved ones death. Forensic information is gathered along with the police report and is entered as input into a micro-computer. This develops a program which yields a sequence of events that took place resulting in the accident.

This program now shows "post impact" information and also "pre-impact" headings of the vehicles to determine the velocities of each vehicle. With all the information which was gathered in the field study at the accident, the cause of the accident is now determined only if all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Fitting all of the pieces in the puzzle together in a scientific manner is what the study of forensics is all about.

Source of information: www.wikipedia/forensics.com