Notes on Physical Evidence in Pedestrian Hit and Run Accidents

Abstract

The pressure of public opinion generated by a hit and run accident causes an urgency on the part of the investigators which may result in the loss of vital physical evidence. This is true in cases involving fatal accidents as well as personal injury. The investigation starts with the body of the victim. If the victim is still alive, a little planning will prevent the loss of trace evidence that may be present on the body of the victim or on the victim's clothing. The trace evidence usually consists of paint chips and/or paint smears, metal fragments, glass fragments, and an assortment of miscellaneous traces. The first loss of evidence is most often sustained when the body is first moved. The method of preservation of evidence is exactly the same for an injured victim as it is for a dead victim. Before moving the body a clean sheet should be placed on the cot or stretcher which must be as close to