When two vehicles collide, the incident cannot be treated as if nothing happened, especially where there is serious damage or injury. A forensic collision investigator can examine the incident and build a clear account of the collision.
What Does a Forensic Collision Investigator Do?
A forensic collision investigator is someone trained to examine vehicle collisions. Using technical evidence and an understanding of vehicles, they can piece together how the collision happened.
They do this by reviewing physical and witness evidence, including scene images, accounts from witnesses, vehicle parts and damage to surrounding property.
What Happens During the Investigation
The first stage is usually a detailed scene assessment. They take photographs from several angles, as the area will often need to be cleared and reopened soon afterwards.
They may then take witness statements from people involved in the incident or those who observed it. 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 who was inside a vehicle at the time of the crash.
The evidence can then be used to create a technical reconstruction of the crash. This may be produced using computer software to test witness accounts. For example, if someone gives an account that does not match the tyre marks, vehicle damage or final resting positions, the reconstruction may help show that inconsistency.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings are set out in a report. This explains what happened, how it happened and what evidence supports those findings.
The Benefits of Collision Investigation
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 prepare a report and give evidence before a judge or jury.
An investigation can also identify external causes, 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.
Final Thoughts
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 forensic collision investigator investigative services more info after accidents, visit the read more GBB UK website.