Forensic transport and trace examination after an accident

What is traceological examination

The study of traces at the scene of a road accident is carried out as part of the investigation into the circumstances of the emergency. Drivers who do not know what a forensic examination after an accident is, have no idea about the features of a transport inspection. The study is aimed at analyzing tire prints. Complex calculations make it possible to recreate the mechanism of a traffic incident and establish the sequence of actions of motorists and the cause-and-effect relationship between driving and the results of the collision.

Trace examination after an accident is a study of traces and prints left at the scene of an accident, carried out to determine their nature of occurrence and affiliation. By sequentially performing complex calculations, the expert recreates the mechanism of an accident and establishes the sequence of damage to objects.

Thus, the main goal of this study is to restore the complete picture of the incident.

Traceological examination is carried out in controversial situations when it is necessary:

• to recreate a picture of the actions of drivers, the final result of which was a traffic accident;
• find out whether the vehicle under investigation was present at the scene of the incident;
• determine whether the damage present on the vehicle corresponds to the circumstances of a particular traffic accident;
• prove that there was no fault of a specific person in creating the emergency situation;
• receive from the insurance company a larger amount to compensate for losses than it agrees to pay.

○ Types.

There are various types of traceological research depending on the methods, mechanisms and equipment used.

✔ Homeoscopic examination.

Based on the concept of this species, it is clear that it studies traces left by people. These may include:

• Traces of teeth, feet and other body parts.
• Fingerprints.
• Results of exposure to clothing items.
• Shoe prints, etc.

It may be necessary to establish the actions of a specific person in an accident or, for example, the actions of a thief or vehicle thief.

✔ Transport and traceological examination.

This type of research is aimed at studying objects with the help of which any actions were carried out (opening locks, stealing vehicles, etc.) or with which certain damage was caused. During such an examination, specialists can determine how the weapon was used, in what way, and the direction of its movement. In addition, this study also examines the mechanical damage itself, which is the object of the study. This may apply to both the vehicle and mechanical damage to clothing.

✔ Transport and traceological examination.

Conducting a trace analysis of transport allows us to identify the immediate circumstances of the accident and reconstruct its diagram. It is during this study that wheel marks, damage to vehicles, and their nature are studied. Based on the results of the analysis, it is possible to establish the guilt or innocence of each of the participants in the accident, as well as the extent of damage and the cause-and-effect relationship between the road accident and specific damage.

✔ Examination of animal tracks.

As part of this study, animal tracks are studied, including the numbers of their paws, teeth and other tracks. Based on the results of the examination, it can be established:

• Type of animal, its biological and physiological characteristics.
• Determine the number of animals.
• Determine the direction of their movement.
• Could any specific animal leave such a mark and cause specific damage, etc.

In the field of motor transport, it may be required in cases of damage, compensated by CASCO, to animals, or in cases of accidents involving animals (when there is reason to assume that an animal was the cause of the accident).

In what case is it prescribed

Traceological examination after an accident is carried out to reconstruct events, if there is a discrepancy in the testimony of participants in the accident and eyewitnesses, to prove the driver’s guilt, to determine whether the damage on the car corresponds to the circumstances of the incident, to establish the mechanism of the collision, and to appeal the verdict.

Law on carrying out

Traceological testing is carried out on the basis of several regulatory documents, which also determine the procedure for its implementation. They are:

1. Law “On state forensic activity in the Russian Federation”.
2. Criminal Procedure Code, Chapter 27, Art. 195 – 207.
3. Code of Civil Procedure, art. 79 – 87.
4. Arbitration Procedure Code Art. 82 – 87.
5. Code of Administrative Offenses, Art. 26.4. – 26.5.

Each regulatory document regulates questions about the purpose, procedure, commission and comprehensive examination, and its conclusion.

Important information about trace examination

Traceological examination is classified as a subtype of forensics. This research allows you to find and, if possible, identify traces left by an object in a certain situation, as well as find out the mechanism of their occurrence. In most cases, it is used during operational activities, the activities of investigators and interrogators, or appointed by the court.

Questions to the expert

Conventionally, questions asked to trace experts on the topic of the research being conducted can be divided into two groups:

• identification;
• diagnostic.

Typical questions of the first group are:

• Do the traces left at the scene belong to one or more objects?
• What objects left the traces found?
• Could the marks left behind have been caused by a car whose involvement in the accident was proven?
• Are the marks and damage left behind the result of the accident in question?

The list of typical diagnostic questions is as follows:

• Are there any traces at the scene of the traffic accident that are suitable for research?
• What was the trajectory of certain vehicles involved in the accident?
• What is the make of the car whose traces were found at the scene?
• How were objects, vehicles, and pedestrians positioned at the time of the collision?
• In what sequence did the collision of various objects and the formation of traces occur?
• What can be said about the mechanism of the accident in question?

The questions posed to an expert traceologist cannot go beyond the scope of his special knowledge.

The victim and the accused in the case of the administrative offense in question can also participate in the activities of the expert by drawing up questions for him that they would like to receive answers to in the expert’s conclusion.

There is a whole list of standard questions that are asked to an expert during a trace examination. Conventionally, questions can be divided into several groups, each of which depends on the object under study, goals and objectives.

Group 1 – issues related to determining the group affiliation of vehicles. Sample list:

• What type of transport do the tracks that were left at the scene of the accident belong to?
• What model of tires left the tracks that were seized from the scene of the accident?
• Do the traces left correspond to the specified type of vehicle?
• Based on the identified shapes, sizes and location of the marks on the vehicles, was it possible for the vehicles to collide?

Group 2 – is used so that during a traceological examination the whole picture can be established from the available parts. Sample list:

• Are the objects of parts that were found at the scene of an accident actually parts of a specific vehicle?
• Were the particles of paint, glass, and plastic that were found at the scene of the accident and on vehicles before the accident one whole?
• Were any of the vehicles changing lanes at the time of the collision based on the tracks found?

Group 3 – used for the purpose of identifying a specific vehicle

• Do the detected tracks belong to the specified vehicle?
• Do the tracks found at the scene of an accident belong to one or more vehicles?
• Was the trace found left by this particular car or another?

Group 4 – questions that help determine the location of an accident

• Sample list:
• In which lane did the accident occur?
• In which lane did the accident occur?
• Did the accident happen on the side of the road or on the roadway?
• How were the vehicles positioned relative to the boundaries of the roadway at the time of the collision?

Group 5 – questions of traceological examination aimed at establishing the collision process?

• At what angle did the collision occur?
• Which vehicle was moving at a higher speed at the time of the collision?
• Was the vehicle stationary or in motion at the time of the accident?
• In what direction were the vehicles moving before the collision itself?

Current issues of purpose and production of traceological examination

annotation

: In the article, the author examines the types of trace examinations, their significance for the detection and investigation of crimes. The concept of traceology, its goals, as well as questions posed to the traceologist expert are explored.

Keywords

: traceology, traceological examination, traces, trace formation.

In the 30s of the last century M.N. Gernet was the first to introduce the term “traceology” into scientific and forensic circulation. However, today this term contains many different interpretations: a number of scientists believe that traceology is a branch that deals with the study of traces-displays, without including traces-objects and traces-displays in its subject matter (i.e. in the narrowest sense of this concept ). According to others, the origin of the term “traceology” originates from the word “trace”, which means the absence of identity between objects, substances and traceology. Of course, we can completely agree with this position, since at the present stage there is a separate branch of forensic science that studies the existence (prevention) of trace-forming objects. This branch is called forensic micrology.

What is the branch of forensic traceology? This is forensic knowledge about those traces that reflect the signs of the external structure of trace-forming objects, as well as about the mechanism of trace formation, means, methods and techniques for detecting, recording, seizing, preserving and examining traces. All of the above is used to establish circumstances that are significant for a criminal case.[1]

Based on the above, we can distinguish the following goals of traceology: 1) identify the generic (group) affiliation of objects by the traces they left behind; 2) identify objects by their traces and individual parts; 3) identify the mechanism of trace formation.

Being one of the types of forensic examinations, trace examination is a procedural action that is aimed at examining physical evidence (traces) by a person who has the necessary education, as well as special knowledge in the field of technology, science, and art.[2]

The actual information about the traces (i.e., the data that the expert needs to establish) will be the subject of traceological examination. But the objects of this type of examination are a wide variety of traces, which determine the subtype of this examination: these are traces of hands, where there is a pattern of papillary patterns (fingerprint examination), traces of feet (shoes), human teeth, animal traces, traces of tools and instruments, cold weapons and vehicles, etc. The expert, conducting a study of these traces, decides on the identification of trace-forming objects and on establishing the mechanism of trace formation. For example, issues of identifying production equipment, machines, and mechanisms are often resolved by displaying the external structure of some of their parts.

As for the types of trace examinations, they can be classified based on the object of study, as mentioned above. Thus, the following types are distinguished: 1) Homeoscopic examination (examination of human traces), which is divided into: fingerprint examination, examination of teeth, examination of traces of clothing (for example, gloves), examination of traces of body parts (for example, lips). 2) Examination of animal traces - teeth and paws. 3) Mechanical - examination of traces of tools and tools, which is also divided into subtypes: examination of various locking devices, seals, vehicles, locks, examination of traces left by burglary tools, examination of traces left by production mechanisms.

But in addition to the above, there are other criteria for classifying traceability examinations. Thus, according to their purpose, they can be divided into identification and non-identification, which, in turn, are divided into situational, diagnostic, classification and reconstruction examinations.[3]

If the classification is based on such a criterion as the sequence of execution, then the following examinations are distinguished: primary, additional and repeated.

Based on the composition and number of experts, it is possible to note examinations carried out individually, as part of a commission and in a complex manner.

It is important to emphasize that, like any other types of examinations, a traceological examination should be carried out only on the basis of a procedural document: this can be a decree of an investigator or a court.

Often in practice there is a need to identify the whole by its individual parts. This is one of the independent types of traceological examination. Thus, experts often have to decide the question: did the parts of a certain product previously form a single whole? As an example, we can consider the investigation of an accident, when it is necessary to establish, say, whether or not the fragments of glass found at the scene of the accident are fragments of a car headlight; when investigating economic crimes - whether scraps of a sheet of paper are a single document, etc. [4] This type of identification is carried out by mutual reflection of the surface features of the separated parts of the whole.

The variety of questions that can be posed to an expert traceologist is quite large. But the most common of them are: 1. Whether the traces that were taken from the scene of the incident were left were determined by the subject - the suspect, the accused; as well as whether the traces belong to any object (for example, a murder weapon) found on the suspect (accused) during the search. 2. If the suspect is unknown, the question of whether the traces found at the scene of the incident belong to the same person is resolved, as well as the question of whether the traces found in different places of the incident could have been left by the same object, vehicle etc. Solving this issue allows us to obtain data on the number of criminals, as well as the number of criminal episodes. 3. The traces belong to a certain hand (right or left), as well as to certain fingers. 4. Gender of the tracks (male or female). 5. Type of burglary weapon. 6. The make of the car that left tread marks at the scene of the incident. 7. The mechanism of trace formation: for example, whether the traces were left by a running or walking person, as well as by a person who may have physical disabilities. 8. Possibility of opening the lock by selecting keys or using a master key. 9. Direction of movement of a specific vehicle. 10. Establishing the side of damage to the object: for example, on the right, left, top or bottom, a door or other obstacle was damaged, whether a cut was made, whether drilling was done, etc. [5]

The expert traceologist may also be asked other questions of both a diagnostic and identification nature. Either the traces themselves in their natural form, or their copies - photographs, casts, prints, etc., can be provided for research, and if it is necessary to identify something, then it is necessary to provide the trace-forming object along with the trace. If we are talking, for example, about a fingerprint examination, then a necessary element here will be comparative samples (fingerprint card of the subject being tested). The need to provide comparative samples arises only when it is impossible or inappropriate to study objects that allegedly left traces. For example, the need for comparative samples may arise during an examination, during which it is determined from which side the victim was struck with the weapon of the crime. Let us next consider the procedural procedure for the seizure of comparative samples.

The procedure for withdrawing comparative samples is regulated by Art. 202 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation.[6] Since in most cases such seizure requires special knowledge, when carrying it out it is advisable to involve a specialist who has special knowledge. An example is the removal of traces of a person’s teeth: for example, in order to obtain an impression of the jaw, it is advisable to involve a dentist. But obtaining samples for research can also be done by the expert himself, who is entrusted with conducting the examination, as stated in Part 4 of Art. 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation.[6]

But getting material for research is only part of the job. If traces of someone or something are found at the scene of an incident, then only from them it is not always possible to understand the reasons for the changes that occur at the moment of trace formation. To successfully identify the patterns of occurrence of these changes, it is necessary to select comparative samples several times, while observing the same trace formation conditions. This will enable the expert to form judgments about the stability of traces, their relative immutability, and this is of absolute importance in order to identify similarities and differences in these features to be identified during the study.

It is also worth noting that it is also important for the expert to provide information about the conditions under which the traces were discovered and seized, about the methods for recording and seizing them, and about what technical means were used. The specified information contains the materials of the criminal case, and the expert has the right to request relevant extracts from the protocols of various investigative actions.

If, as part of the examination, the question of the mechanism of trace formation is to be resolved, then the expert must have accurate information about the location where the traces were found. [4] For this purpose, the decision on the appointment of an examination is supplemented with illustrations - photographs, diagrams, drawings, which contain the very place where the traces were found, as well as their relative location.

Since during the investigation of crimes, traces are used as evidence, it is necessary to strictly observe the tactical, technical and procedural rules, according to which the necessary information is identified and added to the materials of the criminal case. Thus, the identification of traces at the scene of an incident, on the clothes of criminals and victims, and various objects occurs during inspection and examination. Both of these actions are procedural.

The first stage of detecting traces is to find out all the circumstances of the event: what kind of criminal offense was committed, how the participants in the crime acted, etc. This must be done in order to obtain the most reliable location of the traces. Further, after detecting traces, After detecting traces, it is necessary to carefully study them and record them without fail: i.e. it is important to preserve all the information that was obtained for further examination and judicial investigation.

So, the next stage is recording traces. Today, it is possible to carry out fixation by photographing (the most common method), drawing up diagrams, drawings, etc., as well as making casts and impressions. But with any method of recording traces, it is important to attach the obtained data to the protocol. When seizing traces, the protocol should include information about the methods of detecting and seizing the trace, and the protocol should also include information about the location of the seized trace in relation to other objects located at the crime scene. It is worth noting that all seized traces must be packaged appropriately and provided with numbers and inscriptions, and then sealed.

Summing up, we came to the following conclusions: - the place of traceology in the system of forensic science is very important, and its tasks of both diagnostic and identification nature are solved within the framework of traceological examinations. - in order to competently and completely conduct a study of traces and the mechanism of their formation, special knowledge is required, both in the field of forensics and in other sciences, most often in chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, etc. — in the high-quality conduct of traceological examination, both the role of the investigator and the expert are important. The investigator must search for traces, record them, remove them, and also save them for submission for examination, and the expert, in turn, is obliged to conduct a high-quality study, answering the questions posed to him. — the increase in the number of unsolved crimes is in one way or another connected with non-working methods of detecting and interpreting traces that are present at the scene. — the importance of forensic diagnostics of traces when conducting operational search activities is invaluable. Very often, operational workers have to independently work with all the traces at the scene of an incident, and therefore it is important to be attentive to special training in forensic traceology in law schools. Attention should be paid not only to theory, but also to practical skills in working with traces.

Bibliography

1. Zinin A.M., Mailis N.P. Forensic examination: Textbook. M., 2012. P. 61. 2. V.V. Agafonov, V.A. Gazizov, A.I. Natura, A.A. Protkin. Forensic technology. Tutorial. – M.: Yurayt, 2017. – 192 p. 3. Russian E.R. Forensic examination in civil, arbitration, administrative and criminal proceedings. - M., 2005. P. 326-346. 4. Aminev F.G. On modern possibilities of forensic research of trace objects // Expert-criminologist. 2011. N 3. P. 28 - 29. 5. N.I. Porubov, G.I. Gramovich, A.N. Porubov, G.V. Fedorov. Forensics. – M.: Higher School, 2011. – 640 p. 6. Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation" dated December 18, 2001 N 174-FZ (as amended on November 4, 2019).

Types and classification of trace examinations

Traceological research is carried out in relation to mechanisms, objects and living beings. The types of traceability examinations discussed below can, to one degree or another, be used to investigate the causes and circumstances of an accident:

• homeoscopic examination - the study of human traces: fingerprints, footprints, shoe prints, teeth, various parts of the body, etc.;
• mechanoscopic examination - the study of traces of objects and damage found on things, namely: tools, tools, mechanical damage to clothing, knots and loops;
• examination of locks - study of the main characteristics of locks, including their condition at the time of examination;
• examination of fillings - examination of abandoned fillings to determine their integrity;
• examination of prints of production mechanisms on objects - carried out in order to determine the relationship of the object under study to the equipment;
• transport research – study of traces of vehicles: tire prints, dents, scratches and other damage;
• study of animal prints - study of paw marks and horseshoes.

○ Issues that can be resolved by traceological examination and the reasons for the appointment.

The concept of trace examination in the field of road transport (or, as it is also called, transport trace identification) follows from a regulatory legal act, and not just scientific theory and practice.

• “Order of the Ministry of Justice of Russia dated December 27, 2012 No. 237 “On approval of the List of types (types) of forensic examinations performed in federal budgetary forensic institutions of the Ministry of Justice of Russia, and the List of expert specialties for which the right to independently conduct forensic examinations in federal budgetary forensic institutions is granted.” expert institutions of the Ministry of Justice of Russia":
• Traceological examination.
• Study of human and animal traces.
• Research of traces of tools, tools, mechanisms, vehicles (transport and trace identification).”

Thus, this type of examination examines the traces of a vehicle in order to establish specific circumstances and facts, be it:

• Determination of the make and model of the vehicle whose traces are being investigated.
• Drawing up a diagram of the incident.
• Determining the culprit of the accident.
• Identification of specific injuries sustained under specific circumstances.
• Identification of the specific part, mechanism, or assembly that was damaged.
• Determining the cause of damage (another car, another object, etc.).
• Understanding the direction in which the vehicle was moving, its trajectory and the angle of collision with another car, etc.

This study is prescribed if it is not possible to identify these circumstances in other, more accessible ways, or if there is a dispute between the participants in the accident, between the participant in the accident and the insurance company.

General provisions of the methodology for conducting traceological examinations

The methodology of traceological examination consists of a system of techniques, methods and techniques, as well as various technical means that are used to examine various objects and items within the framework of the examination.

Objects of traceological examination are divided into the following groups:

1) Physical evidence (traces of a crime);

2) Material conditions of the crime scene;

3) Procedural documents containing the situation at the scene of the incident (for example, a protocol for examining the scene of the incident);

4) Reference materials;

5) Samples (characterizing certain types of objects or displaying the properties of the objects being checked).

Objects of traceological examination are also divided into objects directly involved in the identification process and indirectly involved in identification.

Objects directly and indirectly involved in identification are divided into:

1) Identifiable objects in relation to which the question of identity is being resolved;

2) Identifiable objects that reflect the properties of other objects, but these objects themselves are not identified.

Identifiable objects include: people, premises, objects, animals, mechanisms, etc.

Stages of traceological examination:

1) Preliminary research;

At this stage, the expert gets acquainted with the materials received for research, inspects the objects, checks their compliance with the investigator’s resolution (description), then the expert takes photographs of the packaging and appearance of the object. After this, the expert must draw up a plan for further research.

2) Detailed research;

At the stage of detailed research, the expert will have to identify identification features of the object, which should reflect the properties of the identified object. Among the types of identification signs there are: signs of group and individual significance. Also, features are divided into general and specific; general features characterize the object as a whole (design, shape, weight, etc.), and specific features characterize the details and parts of the object.

According to the nature of the connection with the identified object, features are divided into necessary and random features.

According to the time of occurrence, signs are divided into signs that appeared during the division of the object into parts and signs that appeared before its division.

According to the nature of the assessment of frequency of occurrence, signs are divided into statistically determined and subjectively determined signs.

It is also worth mentioning the identification period, during which it is possible to identify an object by its displays. At the stage of detailed research, the experiment itself can be carried out directly, as well as comparative and separate research.

3) Evaluation of results and formulation of conclusions;

At this stage of the assessment, the expert must evaluate and compare the identified matching and distinguishing features and subsequently formulate conclusions.

The expert's conclusions must be clearly formulated and not have double meaning; the conclusions must contain a clear answer and explanation to the question or task posed. If the expert cannot solve the issue, then he must give appropriate explanations and indicate the reasons for the inability to solve the problem.

The expert's conclusions are divided into conclusions containing an answer to the question posed, and conclusions that indicate the possibility of resolving the issue.

They also distinguish between conditional and unconditional conclusions, positive and negative, categorical and probable, as well as unambiguous and alternative.

4) Preparation of research materials.

At the stage of registration of research materials, the expert draws up a written opinion in accordance with the procedural requirements arising from the requirements of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law “On State Forensic Expert Activities”. This document should be illustrated with diagrams and photographs documenting the expert findings and conclusions.

The procedure for conducting the examination

A car enthusiast can use the services of an independent expert to prove he is right. The results may be disputed, or the study may be ordered by the court itself. BUT initially you should choose the expert unit, the company that will deal with your issue. At the same time, it is better to choose from existing ones for a longer period of time so that the experts have experience in conducting examinations. The company representatives themselves must have on hand all possible documents for the right to carry out their activities. If you are offered a free consultation in advance, this says a lot about the seriousness of the institution.

You will be required to provide a certain set of documents, which include:

• Diagram of the situation at the scene of the incident.
• Protocols that were drawn up by representatives of the traffic police.
• Possible photo tables and other pictures of the situation.
• Information about the vehicles involved in the incident, as well as the cars themselves. It is advisable that until the end of the consideration of the case they remain in their original form without repair work.
• If you have DVRs, you should immediately record all this on a separate disk or flash card so that the information is not lost in the future.
• Documents for the cars themselves, all information and certificates from the police where the traffic accident was recorded, that it took place.
• Explanations from all participants in the accident on the road.

It is important to inspect the scene of the incident in a timely manner, since all objects and traces are concentrated there as much as possible, which in the future can give rise to conclusions in the conclusion.

In this case, an agreement will be concluded with you to conduct a traceological examination. The time for vehicle inspection will be agreed upon. It would not be superfluous to involve specialists from the service center, who will indicate in more detail the existing damage and carry out repairs of individual units. At the same time, hidden traces and damage are also identified. But to do this, the traceologist disassembles the car itself, individual units and components.

Based on the results of such a study, you will be given a conclusion, which will play a significant role in making the final decision.

How to do it in case of an accident: step by step

The algorithm for conducting an independent trace examination in case of an accident is as follows:

• choosing a competent company;
• conclusion of a contract and payment for services;
• collecting a package of necessary documentation, including:
• situation diagrams;
• protocol;
• photographic materials from the scene of the accident;
• title documents;
• certificates from the police confirming the accident;
• written explanations of participants and witnesses of the accident.
• inviting an expert to inspect the accident site;
• agreeing on the place and time of vehicle inspection;
• waiting for the results of modeling situations from the scene of an accident;
• receiving a report on the work done.

How to conduct a trace examination of a car during an accident - step-by-step instructions for beginners

Now let's look at how a vehicle's trace examination is carried out. If you are involved in an accident and doubt the objectivity of a forensic investigation, you can always order an independent examination and challenge the results.

Step 1. Select an expert company

How to choose a reputable company so as not to doubt the quality of its expertise?

Firstly, she must have experience, satisfied clients and good reviews.

Secondly, check the permits for expert activities.

Thirdly, experts who work for the company must also have appropriate educational documents and professional liability insurance.

A sign of a serious expert institution is a free preliminary consultation.

Step 2. We collect the package of necessary documents

An expert will provide you with a list, but it’s a good idea to collect all the necessary papers yourself in advance.

For traceological examination the following are provided:

• situation diagram;
• protocol drawn up by traffic police officers;
• photographic materials from the scene of the accident;
• vehicles that were involved in the incident;
• photos or videos from video recorders installed in the vehicle, if any;
• a protocol that indicates the inspection and technical condition of vehicles;
• documents confirming the right to own a vehicle;
• a police certificate confirming the accident;
• explanations of everyone who participated in the accident or was a witness.

Step 3. We invite an expert to inspect the accident scene

Since the maximum amount of data about the accident is concentrated at the accident site, an expert must visit it.

The expert traceologist must have with him:

• camera;
• scale bar;
• roulette;
• magnifying glass;
• tweezers;
• small containers for microparticles;
• impression (plastic) masses (gypsum, plasticine, polymer compounds).

Step 4. Agree on the place and time of vehicle inspection

When you have already signed the contract, you can choose the time and place of the vehicle examination. The most convenient way to do this is at a car service center.

This sets:

• whether there are traces on the car from another vehicle;
• what object damaged the car;
• model of the vehicle that left the prints;
• what part caused the damage;
• direction of movement and angle of collision;
• driving mode;
• tread condition;
• mechanism of damage.

Examining the condition of a vehicle is no less important than examining prints at the scene of an accident.

Step 5. Disassemble the units and components of the vehicle

If it is necessary to identify hidden damage, a traceologist disassembles the units and components. During the study, he determines the direction, nature and strength of interaction between objects and other parameters.

In the article “Independent Auto Expertise” you can read about the details of this process, as well as how not to make a mistake in choosing an auto expert.

Step 6. Waiting for the results of modeling situations from the scene of the accident

There are special computer programs for this. This model is needed in most cases. It helps to visualize the entire accident process for judges who do not have special knowledge in this area.

In addition, this method allows you to recreate the process of an accident as accurately as possible. It is based on the data of all traces recorded at the scene of the traffic accident.

Step 7. We receive a report on the work done

The result of the expert’s work is a documentary conclusion of the examination. It can be used as evidence in a lawsuit or an argument for an insurance company.

It is important to know that the expert report contains the expert’s conclusions only on technical issues. Determining the culprits is already within the competence of the court.

If you have any difficulties related to conducting a trace analysis, please contact competent lawyers for help. We recommend looking for such people on the website “Pravoved.ru”. This is an online service of free and paid consultations, with which more than 16 thousand lawyers throughout the Russian Federation cooperate.

You will be provided with legally competent advice in any area of ​​law. You will find the right specialist and will be prepared for any legal process. “Pravoved” will become your reliable support - after all, the quality of services here is valued above all else.

Petition for trace examination of an accident

A petition to appoint a trace examination in case of an accident is a document that indicates the request of a citizen or organization to have an examination of evidence, traces, and the scene of the incident carried out in the case with the involvement of an expert. The petition is submitted in writing. Any participant in the paperwork can petition for a trace examination.

You can apply at any stage of the proceedings:

1. Before the start of litigation at the preliminary investigation stage.
2. In the court of first instance.
3. At the appeal stage.

If the petition was filed at the appeal stage, the participant filing it must indicate a valid reason why he did not do so at previous court hearings and proceedings.

Of course, the best time to conduct a trace analysis is immediately after the incident. At this moment, the expert will be able not only to see all the traces left, but also the picture of the accident itself.

You can file and submit a motion at any time, but before the judge makes a final decision on the issue under consideration. The petition is written in free form. However, it is necessary to indicate the following mandatory information:

• details of the court, case number, full information about the participants in the case, date and signature of the applicant;
• the reasons for which the need for an examination arises and for which the petition is filed;
• to whom do you wish to entrust the examination;
• an approximate list of questions that the expert needs to answer;
• list of materials, documents, information that you can provide to the expert on your part
• indicate the type of transport and traceability examination.

Issues resolved by traceological examination

Traceology is a science whose subject of study is traces. An examination is prescribed in various cases when it is necessary to understand whether the traces left at the crime scene point to the criminal or, on the contrary, speak about the combination of circumstances that led to the incident.

The study is divided according to the number of participants in the event:

• sole;
• complex;
• commission.

It is possible to assign a repeated and additional procedure in order to classify objects, compare them, or determine the situation that led to the crime.

Traceology objects:

• evidence of a material nature;
• the material situation of the scene of the incident;
• procedural documents (protocols for examining the crime scene, examining the victim);
• reference materials, samples for identification (fingerprint database).

The list of questions that traceology reveals is extensive. The classification of subtypes of research will help you understand in more detail.

Human traces

Homeoscopic research studies traces left directly by humans:

• hands;
• feet (bare, in shoes or hosiery);
• teeth;
• epithelium of the head.

Thanks to this type of examination, the following tasks are solved:

• the presence of handprints on objects, their identification;
• clarification of possible features of the structure of the hands;
• how long ago the traces were left;
• number of participants in the crime.

Experts can easily determine which hand and even which finger left the imprint on the object being studied; gender is also calculated from such traces.

Questions that studying footprints can help answer are:

• foot size, structural features;
• style of shoes, stockings, socks;
• gender, approximate age and height;
• gait features, the presence of a prosthesis, orthopedic devices;
• method of movement (calm or fussy walking, or running of varying intensity);
• direction of movement of the participant in the incident.

Footprints make it possible to determine in some cases the mechanism of their occurrence, thereby helping to find out how a criminal, or a person not related to criminal actions, ended up in the place under study.

Teeth prints can be left by both the criminal and the victim, the examination finds out:

• what kind of tooth or teeth left the mark;
• presence of dentures, absence of teeth;
• structural features of the jaw;
• mechanism of fingerprint formation.

Lip prints on clothing, dishes or human skin sometimes help to identify the object that left them. However, first of all, it is necessary to determine whether they are suitable for identification.

The skin of the head (forehead, nose, cheek, cheekbone) tells about gender, sometimes about age, structural features and defects.

Microtraceology is distinguished separately; its subject is microparticles and miniature traces.

Classification of studies

When investigating criminal cases, as well as for other reasons, in order to reconstruct the circumstances of an accident on the road involving a vehicle, trace studies are carried out, which have their own classification and division. Each of the areas of examination examines specific elements and directions, which ultimately and collectively provide grounds for making a conclusion.

Homeoscopic examination allows us to evaluate human traces, which include shoes, feet, fingers, teeth, clothes and much more. Thanks to this, the situation on the road is restored regarding the pedestrian, who could be running, walking, crawling, having an even or unsteady gait, and much more.

Mechanical examination carefully analyzes existing damage to objects, possible marks and prints. Not all car components can be manufactured in a factory, but handicraft ones, that is, independently. During their operation, problems and breakdowns begin to arise, which can lead to an accident on the road. This is important to consider, but it is worthwhile to evaluate these actions and also establish how everything was done.

Transport expertise analyzes tire tracks left on the road, scratches and dents on the vehicle, and any other damage. The amount of damage in this case can be different and does not always correspond to the damage that exists on the car. For this reason, disputes begin to arise between participants in the incident on the road.

In general, there are a huge number of classifications, and all of them can be different depending on the research being carried out and the need to obtain a specific answer.

Mechanical examination

Such traces are classified as instruments of crime, actions performed by a person.

The examination of the alleged crime weapon determines:

• characteristics of the weapon (size, presence of notches);
• the presence of its traces on other objects;
• the direction and strength of the weapon used;
• relative position of objects at the time of use;
• sequence of blows, breaks, cuts.

Traces of dragging or wrestling are determined not only by the condition of the victim, but also by the presence of mechanical damage to clothing, marks on the grass, ground, or floor.

Cases of object binding do not go unnoticed by the expert. Based on the type of knot knitting and loop creation, a specialist will determine:

• binding mechanism;
• the presence of professional skills in tying (sea knot, “grapevine”, “bayonet”, “rabbit ears”, used mainly in mountaineering);
• left-handed or right-handed person tying the object.

The study of locks, first of all, reveals traces of burglary, the object of unlocking (master key, duplicate key), and determines the external or internal side of the mechanical impact. They are also looking into whether seals have been broken on various locks.

Transport expertise

Examination of vehicles and traces left by them in violation of traffic rules is a fairly extensive subgroup of mechanoscopic research.

Often, when writing the name of this examination, a double “s” is used. The error arose precisely because of motorists who associated the name of the study “traceological” with the highway.

The activities assigned to study the mechanism of the incident answer the following questions:

• which vehicle is guilty of traffic violations;
• identification of dents and scratches related to this incident;
• compliance of the at-fault vehicle with technical inspection standards;
• the legality of the driver’s actions to prevent a collision or accident;
• study of the structural features of tires, engine parts, transmissions and other important elements;
• driving mode of traffic rules participants (braking, skidding, excessive speed);
• suspected tire brand, model and other features of the vehicle that left the crime scene.

Thanks to modern developments, trace analysis makes it possible to reconstruct actions during an incident, to simulate any crime, according to the height, gender of the criminal or the dimensions and speed of vehicles.

They also distinguish taurological traceology, which specializes in traces of animals, and odorology, which identifies gaseous traces - odors.

Traces are detected using several methods:

• luminescent;
• thermal vacuum spraying;
• application of “Tsiacrin EO” glue.

The latter detects the presence of even old traces.

Who commissions the study?

Despite the fact that trace research is classified as a procedural process, that is, necessary during legal proceedings, an independent examination is also possible.

In the event that a participant in a road accident does not agree with the accusation or opposes the actions of a certain person and does not believe in justice, he can order an independent examination. Since civil disputes often take place without the participation of a court, extrajudicial investigation of traces is in demand.

Who performs the procedure?

A limited number of people are allowed to investigate a crime scene. A forensic expert who collects traces left by participants in an incident is called a traceologist (a forensic traceologist). That is, higher education must be in the specialty “forensic examination”.

Ballistas, materials scientists, forensic scientists, chemists, and biologists are brought in to help him, especially during a complex study.

How is the procedure performed?

The customer contacts private organizations specializing in conducting examinations to submit an application. There is also the option of contacting investigative authorities. Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate apply directly to the forensic centers of the Central Internal Affairs Directorate and the Federation of Forensic Experts.

Next, the private individual writes an application for the provision of the service, and the police officers draw up a petition.

The organization conducts research according to the approved plan:

• preliminary inspection;
• detailed examination of the provided traces;
• evaluation stage of the results obtained;
• preliminary conclusions, their confirmation;
• drawing up a report, recording the results in the prescribed form, using a photo report.

The timing of the expert’s report depends on the scale of the problem. In particular, it will take more time to determine traces of an accident involving several cars, as well as in the case of a murder or attack on several objects.

According to the Code of Civil Procedure of the Russian Federation, the period for consideration of a case is usually set at no more than 2 months, which also includes the time frame for conducting the study. But, if more time is required for the examination, this period is increased.

According to the order of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation “On approval of methodological recommendations...”, the forensic expert is given a period of within 30 days to draw up a report, however, even here it is possible to increase the time criteria.

What documents are required?

The list of documents that the expert service staff will need depends on the identified problem.

If trace studies of a crime scene identified as a murder are required, a full report from the investigator, interrogator, and examination protocol will be required. Also, if the expert did not immediately go to the scene of the incident, photographs, shoe casts and other research objects will be needed.

To order an examination of traffic rules by a private person, you will need the following:

• certificate of an accident;
• case materials compiled by traffic police officers (photo tables, diagrams, protocol);
• technical passport of the car, information about the technical inspection completed.

The expert is provided with mandatory access to the vehicle, clothing and other materials from the persons involved in the accident.

Examination price

In the framework of a criminal or administrative investigation, the examination is carried out only by order of an authorized person and in this case, interested parties do not have to pay in any case.

However, the examination can also be carried out in civil legal relations, when one of the parties wants to find out some details. In this case, you need to contact a specialized organization. The average cost of an examination is from 10 thousand rubles and depends on the complexity and region of the examination.