The Morphometric 3D Reconstruction of run over accidents

The reconstruction of traffic accidents with run overs can be a complex process. A close cooperation of the individual disciplines such as forensic experts, accident experts and forensic medical specialists improves the analysis of the case. The morphometric 3D reconstruction is a powerful tool in this process. In order to illustrate the method, a morphometric 3D reconstruction of an accident with a subsequent run over between an agricultural vehicle and a cyclist will be presented. In this case, the presumed accident site and the involved vehicle were documented in 3D using photogrammetry and laser scanning by the police, the deceased as well as their clothes were documented using CT, structured-light scanning and photogrammetry by the forensic medicine. In a next step, all the documented 3D data was brought together in a virtual 3D space, where the specialist performs the reconstruction by using an animation software. During this process, the 3D models had to be moved and turned according to all conceivable probable accident sequences to find out which injuries, damages and traces match together. As a final point, the most probable accident sequence was visualized by using images, video and a virtual reality headset. This example shows that the morphometric 3D reconstruction is an indispensable method, which allows an interdisciplinary approach in the evaluation of hit and run over traffic accidents. The possibilities of application of this method by means of 3D techniques are wide-ranging and can provide new, unexpected, and significant insights of otherwise unclear accidents