Investigation of Road Traffic Fatalities
An Atlas
Preview
Book Description
The screech of rubber against asphalt. And then the crash: a violent two-car collision resulting in a twisted mass of metal, plastic, and glass-and worse, the deaths of both drivers.
Accident reconstruction is but one phase of road traffic fatality (RTF) cases. Even as police officers draw their last diagram, interview their last witness, and reconstruct their final scenario, a different team of investigators works diligently on solving another puzzle: determining how the victims actually died.
Investigation of Road Traffic Fatalities: An Atlas covers the issues that face medical examiners and coroners in determining the nature and extent of RTF injuries as well as the cause, manner, and circumstances of death. Also ideal for medicolegal death investigators and law enforcement personnel who work with medical examiners and coroners during RTF investigations, this Atlas covers everything from "Typical road traffic fatality injuries" to "Injuries caused by safety/restraint devices" and "Autopsy and toxicology testing."
For anyone involved in RTF probes, Investigation of Road Traffic Fatalities: An Atlas is essential reading.
Table of Contents
PART I: ROAD TRAFFIC FATALITIES
Cause, Manner, and Circumstances of Death
RTF Investigation vs. RTF Reconstruction
Jurisdictional and Statutory Considerations
Who Usually Does What?
Basic Events
General Classifications of RTFs
Common Questions to be Answered During RTF Investigations
Injuries Caused by Safety/Restraint Devices
Basic Injury Mechanisms
Common but Critical Investigative Mistakes
Factors that Raise Suspicion for Suicide
Typical Road Traffic Fatality Injuries
Artifactual Injuries
Preparing to Investigate
Initial Procedures at the Scene
Primary Investigative Tasks
Overall Goals of the Investigation
The Autopsy and Toxicology Testing
PART II: ATLAS
Reviews
"…these volumes are appropriate for the target readership of death investigators, law enforcement officers, and attorneys…Physicians-in-training, in such specialties as Pathology, Emergency Medicine, and Surgery would benefit from careful reading of these books…I anticipate that the remaining volumes in this series will prove equally useful."
--Laurence R. Simson, Jr., MD,
Forensic Pathologist, Journal of Forensic Sciences