Features of auto technical expertise in establishing a causal relationship between the circumstances of an accident and the traces of a collision

A comprehensive tracological and automotive technical examination can be carried out as one study, if we are talking about damage received by a vehicle as a result of an accident. The questions for the automotive technical expertise with a tracological study of damage received in an accident are presented. The practical experience of an automotive expert is analyzed and summarized to describe the characteristic trace signs and other features that allow us to establish the origin and circumstances under which the car was damaged. It is described that the methodology for investigating traces after an accident to identify the connection with damage is based on the use of previously collected materials and possible inspection of vehicles. The causal relationship between damage and traces can be established and justified only if the main components are identified: traces on the damaged car, traces on the contact object, coincidence (pairing) of traces according to the main characteristics (color, height, location, etc.), correspondence to the nature of the contact to the direction of movement, the area of interaction of parts (surfaces). It is said that the determination of the connection of traces with damage is most effective when using a comprehensive analysis of material evidence and situational modeling.