Reconstruction of road traffic accidents. Seating position of automobile occupants

The reconstruction of seating positions of automobile occupants after road traffic accidents can be essential particularly with regard to the question of guilt in criminal and civil law. In cases of complex accidents a close cooperation between the legal medicine and technical experts is indispensable. Besides the autopsy findings and the results of the technical experts investigation it is essential to obtain information regarding the discovery position in relation to the vehicle, the salvage/rescue measures performed, the emergency medical efforts as well as the loading of the automobile. Basically traumatology and molecular biological methods have priority for the reconstruction of seating positions. The search for impact-related contact between the structures of the passenger compartment and the occupants constitutes the foundation for the reconstruction according to the (morphological-traumatological) criteria. An examination of all automobile occupants is necessary for a valid allocation of the seating positions.