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What can an accident explain: A forensic case study

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What can an Accident Explain: A forensic case study
Mukesh Sharma1, Shailendra Jha2, V N Mathur3
1
SSO, Physics Division, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Rajasthan Jaipur - 302 016, 2Assistant Director, Physics Division, State
Forensic Science Laboratory, Rajasthan Jaipur 302 016, 3Director, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Rajasthan, Jaipur 302 016
Abstract
It is estimated that about a million of people are killed
every year throughout the world as a results of road traffic
accidents. In developing countries, occupants of private
automobiles comprise the majority of traffic injury victims. In
accident cases arise from the violation of statutes that typically
require the driver of an automobile involved in an accident to
stop, identify himself and his vehicle and render aid to persons
injured in the accident.
Using this example of crime scene study, through this
present case, the authors have tried to explain the importance
of the spot examination and preservation of the scene of
crime. Through this paper, the author tried to explain the
circumstances can change the view of the public, by using
the forensic expert view, proper examination of vehicles,
victim’s injury and scene of crime, the doubt might be
resolved.
Keywords
Forensic Engineering, Accident, Crime Scene, injury.
Introduction
In India, police accident reports are often the main source
of data for accident investigations. These reports usually contain
information on traffic conditions, vehicle performance, road
environment, driver characteristics, casualty demographics, and
injury severity level. When comparing police reports with
hospital records, the degree of the under-reporting of road
casualties has been found to be quite significant. Casualty
demographics, time of injury, hospital admission, and mode
of transport, vehicle class, and car occupancy are all
contributory factors to the reporting rate in police accident
records. Fatal accidents are normally assumed to be reported
in full. However, the degree of under-reporting is greater for
less seriously injured casualties. The quality of police accident
reports has also been examined in relation to the accuracy of
accident attributes, vehicle performance, driver characteristics,
and accident causes. Police data on the number of casualties
involved and the time and location of accidents have been
found to be unreliable in Rajasthan, India1-2. The number of
road accidents in Rajasthan, total number of people died and
injured, due to road accident are shown in Fig. 1. From Fig. 1,
it is clearly seen that in year 2009 an increase of 7.83%
compared to the year 2008, deaths due to road accident.
Through this paper, one very interesting case study is being
communicated for the awareness of the forensic scientific
community that vehicles, victim’s injury, scene of occurrence
and concept of forensic engineering (direction and probability
of vehicle path) can hold the clues to solve cases related to
accident analysis.
Address for correspondence:
Dr Mukesh Sharma
SSO, Physics Division, State Forensic Science Laboratory,
Rajasthan Jaipur – 302 016
e-mail: mksphy@gmail.com
Mukesh Sharma / Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. July-Dec., 2011, Vol.5, No.2
Investigation of cause of death is very important and need
special attention and training. Protection of crime scene is very
important for the investigation of crime scene. Observe persons,
vehicles events, potential evidence and environmental
conditions. Safety and well being of officers and other
individuals should be first priority3-4.
Fig. 1: Last five year statistics of Accident cases in Rajasthan1
3.0
2.4
4
Number x 10
1.8
Total Accident Occured in a year
Number of people died in a year
Number of people injured in a year
1.2
0.6
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Year
Case History
It was reported that on 15-01-2010 night accident was
occurred near Gariawas 10 Km far from Teh. Choti Sadari, Distt.
Pratapgarh. The case was registered FIR No. 16/10 U/S 302,
201 IPC. One person was injured and his dead body was found
on “kachhi sadak” road (Made of Stone and sand). Mobile
Forensic team visited the spot of accident and to inspect a
motorcycle involved in death after two days of the occurrence.
Forensic Finding
At Spot: At the spot one dead body was lying on the
road. The road “Kacchi-sadak” was made of stones and sand.
Both sides of the road, there were cultivated farms. No light
on the road. The motorcycle was not there, which was as per
local persons, near the body at night.
Victim’s Body: The dead person was wearing a thick white
coloured blanket, full selves sweater and scarf on the head.
One shoe of the persons was lying near the body. No splash of
blood was observed. The dead body had an injury right side
near the forehead having length about 5- 8 cms. No any other
serious injury was on the body. Very little scratches were on
the hand of the dead body. (Photo 1 - 2)
Impressions: Some impressions of the tyres of bike and
foot impressions were also observed about 25-30 feet away
from the dead body.
Bystanders: As per the bystanders the person (victim)
was very nice person. He was never fight with any person of
the village. He was very honest, liable and good in nature.
The Motorcycle: The motorcycle was recovered after two
days of the occurrence. One metallic blue coloured Bajaj Platina
motorcycle bearing the registration No. RJ 09 SC 806… was
examined. Front side and rear side portion of the motorcycle
63
 Photo 1: The dead person was wearing a thick
white coloured blanket, full selves sweater and
scarf on the head. One shoe of the persons was
lying near the body.
were found intact. Speedometer visor and front head light
cover and left side clutch were found broken. Scratches and
rubbing marks were detected on the left hand side indictor,
left side handle and left side portion of motorcycle. (Photo 3)
Photo 3: Front view of the motor cycle body of
the bike tilted towards right to left.
Other/Foreign Smears: Foreign Smears was detected on
the motorcycle rear right side guard made of metallic
composition having height approx. 94 – 97 cm from the
ground. The metallic guard was also found broken. A small
dent was detected on body of the bike from the rear side.
(Photo – 4)
Photo 4: Closer view of the bike back right side
where foreign smears were observed and fresh
dent was also observed.
64 Mukesh Sharma / Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. July-Dec., 2011, Vol.5, No.2
Photo 2: The dead body had an injury right side
near the forehead having length about 5- 8 cms.
Skid marks: No such skid marks have been observed at the
spot because of the road was made of stone and sand.
Results
1. Thoroughly examination of the dents and scratches on
the motorcycle revealed that the possibility of collision of
the motorcycle is not ruled out.
2. Body of the victim having no serious injury or any other
struggling marks was observed besides the head injury
which might have been caused due to the road which
made of stones and sand.
3. Forensic engineering reveals that dent, broken pieces,
scratches direction and scratches on the motorcycle
provide proper evidence of accident of the motorcycle.
At spot in this case IO was advised to call the dog squad
for searching the motorcycle at & near the scene of crime and
advice to work in both direction (murder or accident). After
examination of the motorcycle after two days doubt was clear,
on the basis of the tensile strength of the metallic back guard
which is made of composition of Cu, Ni and Fe based alloys.
The normal force applied generally by a person is not capable
to break the alloy based guard and foreign material was also
found at the location. These points lead us to conclude that
the possibility of accident can not be ruled out.
After report of FSL mobile team the case was reviewed
and investigations were reformed by changing the U/S as 279,
304A IPC in place of U/S 302, 201 IPC. Finally the case was
submitted to the Hon’ble Sub Divisional Magistrate at Divisional
Level for FR.
Discussions
The main use of forensic science is for purposes of law
enforcement to investgate crimes such as murder, theft,
accident and fraud. Forensic scientists are also involved in
investigating accidents such car-truck, car-motorcycle crashes
to establish if they were accidental or results of misfortune or
foul play. At the core of most of these accidents is the failure
of something-a person, a product or an area to work or react
properly. Categories of accidents include: product liability;
vehicular accidents; third-party liability; construction site
accidents; animal-involved accidents; maritime accidents; and
many more. These categories can also have sub-categories.
For example, vehicular accidents include motorcycle accidents.
Basic investigative procedures include: defining events that led
to the accident; interviewing victims and/or witnesses;
preparing photographs and sketches; and preparing reports.
 Investigators also apply different procedures depending on the
type of accident. For example, an investigator will research an
animal’s history of violence in an animal-attack case. Physical
impairment might cause accident like poor eyesight and/or
physical impairment, with many jurisdictions setting simple
sight tests and/or requiring appropriate vehicle modifications
before being allowed to drive. Some time old age might have
become a cause of accident so some jurisdictions requiring
driver retesting for reaction speed and eyesight after a certain
age.
Conclusions
In collision (motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident,
car accident, or car crash) is when a road vehicle collides with
another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other
geographical or architectural obstacle. Traffic collisions can
result in injury, property damage, and death. A number of
factors contribute to the risk of collision including; vehicle
design, speed of operation, road design, and driver impairment.
Worldwide motor vehicle collisions lead to significant death
and disability as well as significant financial costs to both society
and the individual.
It is essential that these crimes be solved in order to serve
the victims and their families with justice. Moreover, there
should be zeal to solve the crime.
Acknowledgement
The partial work of the article has been presented during
Mukesh Sharma / Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology. July-Dec., 2011, Vol.5, No.2
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XXI All India Forensic Science Conference, One of the Author
MS thankful to Prof. R K Sharma, Editor-in-Chief, IJFMT for
encouragement and support. Author Dr. M Sharma also likes
to convey thanks to Dr. Daryl W. Clemens, Editor-in-Chief, Crime
and Clue On-line Magazine for his valuable suggestions and
guidance.
References
1. Booklet issued monthly recorded crime (Crime Branch),
Rajasthan, India
June 2009.
2. Mukesh Sharma, D W Clemens (2010). Sometimes the
accident vehicle tells the story: A forensic case study Crime
& Clues http://www.crimeandclues.com
3. Sushil Sharma, Yajula Gupta, Mukesh Sharma, Sanjay
Sharma, Sanjay Srivastava, Sushil Banerjee and R K
Chaturvedi, Proceedings pg. No. 329-333, XX AIFSC 2009,
during 15 -17 Nov., 2009
4. Adams, Thomas F., Krutsinger, Jeffrey., Crime Scene
Investigation, 2000, Prentice Hall, Inc., NJ.
5. Domke, Ellen and Jim Klepitsch. “Hit-Run: A Crash Course;
120-a-Day in Chicago:Problem in Suburbs: Chicago Sun
Times 28 March 1993: 1
6. Vallejo, CA. edsicker, D. (2001), Crime Scene Investigation
and Physical Evidence Manual
7. Bevel, T. and R. Gardner., Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press,
Inc. (1997). Bloodstain Pattern Analysis.
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