Computers in Motor Vehicle Accident Reconstruction: A Review

Computer technology is finding its way into all aspects of our professional and personal lives bringing with it the impression, which is often incorrect, that computer generated findings are unquestionably accurate. A review of the literature and reference to actual case accidents, shows that use of these tools in “actual” cases must be done with utmost caution. Many of the variables present in actual accidents are shown to be difficult, or impossible, for current computer simulations to address. The differing areas of forensic engineering, safety analysis and research and their individual requirements on the results are also discussed.