True Forensics

Image following a suicidal motor vehicle fatality. Note the unwavering tire marks leading straight to the wall.

In single-vehicle crashes, one should consider the possibility that the driver intentionally took his or her own life. A history of depression or suicidal ideations can help in this determination. Lack of skid marks before impact or identifying the imprint of the gas pedal on the bottom of the shoe also points one in the direction of suicide. Suicide notes may be found in the clothing of the decedent.

Stretch lacerations. These superficial, parallel, serpiginous tears were created from hyperextension of the joint and overstretching of the skin.

Stretch lacerations: These are superficial, serpiginous to linear, parallel tears in the skin in areas of excess stretching, as shown in the image. Stretch lacerations are most commonly seen in the inguinal region of pedestrians when they are struck from the rear. These lesions usually exhibit minimal to no bleeding, but they can flank either side of larger, deep lacerations.

A full-body examination of a traffic accident victim is shown in this virtual autopsy image. The examination gives the viewer a good and quick understanding of the 3D post-mortem anatomy and a possible cause of death, in this case a broken neck.