Identification of a driver from the analysis of specific injuries

Determining who was driving a vehicle is often an important part of the assessment of a crash because of the potentially significant medicolegal ramifications. A case is reported of a vehicle containing two occupants. The male occupant had a blood alcohol reading of 85 mg/100 ml and the female occupant (who claimed to be the driver) of 0 mg/100 ml. However, the injuries to the male were more consistent with an impact against the steering wheel and from the posterior displacement of the floor toward the driver's seat. The injuries sustained by the female occupant were less severe and fewer in number. Blood stains on the edge of the driver's window and the steering wheel were from the male occupant. It was concluded, therefore, that the male occupant had been the driver and not the female occupant as was being claimed. This result had significant implications in terms of insurance claims and potential criminal charges.