Accident Physical Evidence

Parts

Significant clues are lost when the parts at an accident site are thought of and handled like junk.
Damaged and undamaged parts alike need to be carefully examined, removed, tested, and especially noted in evidence collection. Parts which will be of interest can of ten be identified during an investigator's visual orientation to the accident site. Parts which look new, like substitutes, like they don 't fit properly, like they have been abused or ignored, or like they have suffered an unexpected degree of damage, all cry out for the investigator's attention. They deserve all the attention the investigator can give them.

Records

Paper evidence contains essential information for a thorough investigation. Papers that will be required should be identified in pre-planning so they are not lost or altered. Documents and records which should be preserved and examined are applicable standards, histories of people and equipment, job instructions, and daily work records. Considered analysis of paper evidence is often the one link the investigator has to tie symptoms of problems to basic causes.