ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 10

A Scientific Approach to Documenting Evidence for Accident Reconstruction
Van Kirk, DJ
President, D. J. Van Kirk, P.E. Consulting and Forensic Engineers, MI

(Received 22 August 1983; accepted 14 November 1983)

Abstract

Accident investigators have not had a consistent method of viewing accidents to gather the necessary information to allow other forensic scientists, particularly those who specialize in reconstructing accidents, to render as accurate and complete an opinion as possible. This paper presents a step-by-step procedure for examining and documenting the accident scene for both rural and urban accidents, as well as impacts to the exterior of the vehicle and interior damage caused by secondary occupant impacts. Diagrams of camera angles and scene configurations are also shown, along with a detailed description of how to use them to record accident data. A check list for accident data for reconstruction is also presented.

Keywords:
forensic science, accidents, accident investigation, accident reconstruction, accident scene, vehicle damage, investigation methods, investigation check list

Paper ID: JFS11739J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11739J
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