Citation

Metter D. Z. Rechtsmed. 1983; 91(1): 21-32.

Vernacular Title

Spurenbefunde bei Fussganger-Fahrzeugkollisionen und ihre Bedeutung fur die

Copyright

(Copyright © 1983, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

6649917

Abstract

Investigations of clues in 87 fatal pedestrian-car accidents which took place with erect posture of the body are reported. Traces of paint proved to be most important clues transferred from the vehicle to the pedestrian's clothing. They derived from the outer paint layer of the collision sites at the front of the vehicle and occurred in 49% of the cases investigated. As has been shown by light and scanning electron microscopic investigations, there is intensive contact between the textile fibers and the paint traces which can be explained by action of heat in the collision. The higher the collision speed, the more readily paint is rubbed off. Because traces of rubbed off paint mark the site of the vehicle impact and indicate the color of the vehicle, they have a high evidence value for reconstruction of the accident. This also applies to traces of molten plastic material as well as to rubbed off chrome and rubber. In contrast to the prevalent view, paint splitters are unsuitable for determining the impact direction. Textile microtraces, traces of blood, hair and tissue occur as transferred clues from the pedestrian to the vehicle. These clues do not permit any statements with regard to the impact direction. They must be evaluated in connection with the remaining clues and the injuries.

Language: de