Crash Investigations, Following The Physical Evidence

Types of evidence include roadway evidence, damage to the involved vehicles, injures to vehicle occupants and pedestrians, paint, fiber and rubber transfers to objects, toxicology, autopsy, and event data recorder (EDR) reports. Other roadway evidence includes tire marks, gouge marks, vehicle parts and debris, bodily fluids (car vs pedestrian and ejected occupants), and damage to fixed objects (power poles, trees, fences, and buildings). Damage to the involved vehicles can include collision damage, impact, maximum engagement, separation and possibly secondary contact. In addition to those forms of damage there is also induced damage, tire/rim damage, seat belt positions, airbag deployment, and hood/windshield/roof damage (car vs pedestrian). When investigating a crash the following injuries might be found, bruises from seat belts, abrasions from airbag deployment, head injuries from striking the windshield or airbag, and broken lower extremities.