IN THIS LESSON

You are an investigator reporting to a highway crash where the decedent was already been transported to the hospital. Information regarding the circumstances of the crash is initially limited. 

Investigate the scene, note the environment, the status of the car and related findings, and what information may be missing from this scenario. 

To move around the scene, use the arrow keys or WASD format. Press the indicated keys to highlight the relevant objects or findings and click on the them for a further description. More information is below.

  • There are various items important to car collisions and the decedent, many of which may be stored in the central console. A decedent may need formal identification, so a wallet or identification card may be stored here. Other items found in the console could potentially indicate why the collision occurred, such as alcohol or drug paraphernalia. A cell phone may also be stored here.

  • Same as the central console, check for identification and other items that would be relevant to the victim or how the collision occurred.

  • Check the if the car keys are still in the on position or if the car can be started. This may be relevant for carbon monoxide toxicity - a driver may become unconscious and cause a collision if a malfunctioning vehicle is emitting carbon monoxide into the cabin. This can be checked with a gauge left inside the running vehicle with the investigators safely waiting outside the vehicle. This is also important for a damaged but drivable vehicle - the next driver may not know that the vehicle is not safe to drive because of a carbon monoxide leak!

  • Check the gas gauge or other flags

  • Did the air bag deploy? This could be a malfunction worth noting but it could also indicate the level of impact.

  • While an investigator may get the details of a collision from law enforcement or other witnesses at the scene, the information may be incomplete or even erroneous as the investigation of the events of the collision is still ongoing. The location, number, and status of the driver and passengers should be noted and updated once the investigation is complete.

  • Unfortunately, people drink and drive and often the bottle(s) or can(s) are found in the car. However, it may also be an incidental finding and not related to the crash.