: Forensic medicine plays a crucial role in investigating fatalities resulting from road accidents, particularly in assessing physical injuries and toxicological findings to determine their correlation with accident dynamics. The expertise of forensic pathologists is essential not only in establishing the cause of death but also in reconstructing the events leading to the fatal outcome and identifying the potential influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances. The presence of such substances in road accident victims is a well-documented factor contributing to impaired driving, making forensic toxicology a key component in post-mortem examinations. When road accidents result in fatalities, forensic investigations, especially autopsies, provide critical insights into the cause of death and assist in determining any legal responsibilities. In many cases, judicial authorities mandate forensic examinations to clarify whether death resulted directly from the accident or was influenced by other factors such as pre-existing medical conditions or substance intoxication. This study reviews existing research on forensic investigations in road accidents, emphasizing their role in enhancing road safety measures and ensuring legal accuracy.
The Contribution of Forensic Medical Investigations in Road Accident Deaths
Sacco, Matteo Antonio;Gualtieri, Saverio;Tarallo, Alessandro Pasquale;Aquila, Isabella
2025-01-01
Abstract
: Forensic medicine plays a crucial role in investigating fatalities resulting from road accidents, particularly in assessing physical injuries and toxicological findings to determine their correlation with accident dynamics. The expertise of forensic pathologists is essential not only in establishing the cause of death but also in reconstructing the events leading to the fatal outcome and identifying the potential influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances. The presence of such substances in road accident victims is a well-documented factor contributing to impaired driving, making forensic toxicology a key component in post-mortem examinations. When road accidents result in fatalities, forensic investigations, especially autopsies, provide critical insights into the cause of death and assist in determining any legal responsibilities. In many cases, judicial authorities mandate forensic examinations to clarify whether death resulted directly from the accident or was influenced by other factors such as pre-existing medical conditions or substance intoxication. This study reviews existing research on forensic investigations in road accidents, emphasizing their role in enhancing road safety measures and ensuring legal accuracy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
