Abstract
The reconstruction of dynamic of traffic injuries remains a challenge in forensic pathology and is often based on circumstantial data. Dash Cams are digital video recorders which can be located inside a vehicle and continuously record the view through the windscreen, thus providing objective evidence. Here we present the case of a traffic crash in which a pedestrian was hit by an articulated lorry. The analysis of a video recorded from a Dash Cam retrieved inside the vehicle during the death scene investigation (DSI) was crucial in the reconstruction of the manner of death. Indeed, the death, which was initially assumed to be accidental, was finally deemed as a suicide on the basis of the video recording, which showed an intentional and sudden rush of the victim to the middle of the roadway. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of Dash Cams will be discussed, focusing on the profound differences in the related national and international regulations. Based on the present case, in traffic crashes, the search for Dash Cams during the DSI may be recommended and the video recordings should be analyzed in the setting of a multidisciplinary and multimodal evaluation of the case, for a proper reconstruction of the facts.
Highlights
The reconstruction of the dynamics of a traffic crash is usually achieved by interviewing involved subjects, eyewitnesses and through post-collision mechanical or engineering examination
The aim of this study is to present a case in which the video-recording captured from a Dash Cam was crucial to properly reconstruct the events of a crash
Law enforcement officers initially assumed that the death was accidental, because the lorry was travelling over the speed limit and occupying most of the roadway, the victim had no history of psychiatric illnesses, and had never shown suicidal intentions
Summary
The reconstruction of the dynamics of a traffic crash is usually achieved by interviewing involved subjects, eyewitnesses and through post-collision mechanical or engineering examination. Sometimes circumstantial data is missing, there are no eyewitnesses, or drivers and passengers do not survive to tell their stories or they have difficulty recalling the details of the events as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision. As the technology became cheaper, Dash Cams became accessible to other drivers and the number of vehicles mounting Dash Cams rapidly increased [12]. Some modern technologies referred to as “Dual Dash Cams”, include a second camera to record the interior and/ or rear of the car. The more sophisticated Dash Cams allow the recording of other specific data such as GPS data files and measurements of acceleration and deceleration
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