CAR WEIGHT AS A FUNDAMENTAL CRITERION IN THE WORK OF A FORENSIC EXPERT. A PRACTICAL VIEW

Forensic medical examination of injuries in traffic accidents is very important, because these cases remain one of the main causes of mortality among the working-age population. Determining the mechanisms and circumstances of injury, especially in the absence of witnesses or video recording of the accident, requires the use of new methods of analysis. The mass of the vehicle, which directly affects the intensity and nature of the injuries received, is an important but insufficiently studied criterion, justifying the need to improve approaches to forensic medical research in this area. The aim of the study: to analyze injuries sustained by drivers and passengers as a result of frontal collisions with incomplete overlap in class B vehicles, and to assess the impact of vehicle mass on the spectrum and nature of injuries sustained. Material and methods. The object of the study was 179 “Acts of forensic medical examination of corpses” and “Expert conclusions” regarding traffic accidents accompanied by injury and death of people. The study used anthropometric, morphometric, photographic, criminalistic and statistical methods of analysis. The description of injuries was carried out in accordance with the Abbreviated Injury Scale standards, taking into account the anatomical areas of injury. Results. The analysis showed that with the right incomplete overlap, the number of injuries was slightly higher compared to the left. The total number of injuries among drivers was 194 cases, which is more than among passengers — 166 cases. The most common injuries were fractures of the lower extremities, chest, and soft tissue injuries. This confirms the dependence of the nature of injuries on the location of the victims in the car, the direction of the collision, and the mass of the car. Conclusions. The mass of the vehicle and its class have a significant impact on the spectrum and severity of injuries resulting from traffic accidents. Therefore, the introduction of vehicle mass analysis as a mandatory parameter in forensic medical examinations will contribute to increasing the accuracy of determining injury mechanisms.