Occupant kinematics deals with the movement of the occupants within the confines of the vehicle, and in ejection cases, through the occupant compartment and into the area of final rest. Occupant kinematics are routinely analyzed in seat belt cases, rollover cases, crashworthiness cases, and matters involving the question of "who was driving"?. In making forensic determinations of occupant kinematics as well as defining pre-crash seated position, various methodologies of accident reconstruction such as vehicle dynamics, Delta-V, principle direction of force, crash pulse, vehicle structural collapse, energy dissipation, and momentum balance are utilized. Typical first hand forensic inspections include pattern and distribution of vehicle deformation, interior geometry, crash data recorders, clothing transfer, injury biomechanics, contact points in the vehicle, as well as police reports, photographs, medical records, and medical imaging. Computer simulation and animation tools are also utilized in certain applications.
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