Application of numerical methods for accident reconstruction and forensic analysis

Abstract

Accident reconstructions and numerical simulations are used to evaluate and improve protective systems as a complement to other methods, such as epidemiological and experimental studies. This chapter sets out how the virtual testing and numerical methods can contribute in vulnerable road user forensic science and injury biomechanics. The utilisation of virtual simulations has been continuously evolving, yet it still requires some accuracy enhancements, particularly in components and material modelling. Currently, numerical simulations constitute the basis for the Computer-Aided Engineering—numerical models can reflect the tissue-level response to provide information about location and severity of injury. The expansion of numerical simulations enables widening the possibilities and application field including vulnerable road user safety in terms of a collision with a motor vehicle. Although the physical validation of a test tends to be costly, it assesses whether potential development can be made in terms of safety enhancement. The accident data determines the quality of the accident reconstructions, which in turn lays the foundations for the evaluation of FE models. This chapter presents the tremendous potential of using computer-aided engineering and describes the numerical approach to head injury verification occurring in a real-world transportation accident, particularly a complex lawsuit that have been already investigated by many accident reconstructionists, experts and witnesses who were called by various court instances.