Seat Belt Systems

   Analysis of seat belt cases requires integration of crash information such as Delta-V, principle direction of force, occupant motion, occupant anthropometry, and injury biomechanics. Along with the standard key evaluation factors, things such as emergency locking retractors, tension clips, tension relievers, latch plates, anchor bolts/hardware, crash tests, accident vehicle photographs, witness testimony, and webbing are analyzed. Often, occupant fit checks are conducted with exemplar human surrogates in either the crash vehicle or an exemplar vehicle. Interior forensic evidence such as head webs, dashboard strikes, blood spatter, as well as hair, skin and clothing transfers are scrutinized during detailed forensic inspection procedures. The interior geometry, injury patterns, seat belt hardware, and overall reconstruction of the accident are integrated into a total multi-disciplinary analysis to determine answers to various questions posed such as ‘who was driving?', ‘were seat belts utilized?', ‘ would usage of the seat belt have prevented or mitigated injury levels and/or ejection from vehicle?'.