When two vehicles collide, the people involved cannot simply drive away, especially where there is serious damage or injury. A forensic collision investigator can examine the incident and help establish the facts.
What Does a Forensic Collision Investigator Do?
A forensic collision investigator is someone trained to examine vehicle collisions. Using forensic methods and vehicle knowledge, they can piece together how the collision happened.
They do this by collecting evidence from the scene, including photographs, witness statements, vehicle damage, debris and nearby structures.
How the Investigation Works
The first stage is usually a detailed scene assessment. They take photographs from several angles, as the area will often need to be cleaned and made safe soon afterwards.
They may then speak to witnesses from drivers, passengers and anyone who saw the collision. Physical evidence is also collected, such as parts of the vehicles, road marks and damage to nearby objects.
Where needed, investigators may also collect DNA evidence to help confirm vehicle occupants at the time of the crash.
The evidence can then be used to create a forensic collision reconstruction. This may be produced using computer software to test witness accounts. For example, if someone gives an account that does not match the physical evidence at the scene, the reconstruction may help show that inconsistency.
Once the investigation is complete, a written report is prepared. This explains the likely sequence of events and the evidence behind it.
Why Collision Investigation Matters
If you are involved in a collision, you may need evidence for an insurance claim. A forensic collision report can help show how the incident occurred and provide the key details needed to support a claim.
It may also be useful in court. If there has been damage to another vehicle, injury or damage to public property, a forensic collision investigator can provide evidence and explain their findings before a judge or jury.
An investigation can also identify factors outside the driver’s control, such as poor road markings, faulty street lighting or road defects. When these issues are found, they may need to be addressed to help improve road safety.
Key Takeaway
Forensic collision investigators help explain the facts behind a road traffic collision. Their work can support insurance claims, legal proceedings and road safety improvements.
To learn more about road traffic read more collision investigation read more services, visit the GBB UK website.