A Modern Accident Investigation

Abstract

Automobile accident investigation has become an increasingly important police activity. Moreover, in many accidents involving criminal responsibility-such as those of the hit-and-run varietypolice investigation must assume obligations commensurate with those created by felonious killings or assaults with firearms or other weapons. Likewise, modern methods of investigation are equally as appropriate. A recent case from the records of the Police Department of Wichita, Kansas, illustrates very clearly the advisability, and necessity, of applying a careful, common-sense technique to the investigation of a serious automobile accident. At the intersection of a state highway with a street in the City of Wichita two women were struck by an automobile. The driver of the car failed to stop, and witnesses were unable to determine the license number of the car or even to ascertain with certainty the type and make, due to the excessive speed of the car as well as to the fact that the accident occurred at night. One of the victims survived serious injuries; the other died. Upon arrival at the scene of the accident, a uniformed investigator from the police department, to whom is assigned exclusively the duties of searching for and preserving physical evidence to be found at the scene of accidents such as this as well as of serious