What can be used to determine the direction and speed of a suspect's vehicle in a hit and run accident?

In a hit and run accident, skid marks can provide crucial information regarding the direction and speed of a suspect's vehicle. When a vehicle makes emergency maneuvers, such as hard braking or swerving, it leaves behind distinct skid marks on the road. The length and characteristics of these skid marks can be analyzed to calculate the speed of the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Typically, investigators can use formulas that take into account the coefficient of friction of the road surface, along with the length of the skid marks, to estimate how fast the vehicle was traveling when the brakes were applied. Additionally, the pattern and orientation of the skid marks can indicate the direction in which the vehicle was heading, thereby adding context to the accident scene.

While traffic camera footage could provide visual confirmation of the incident and police reports can summarize findings, and witness accounts might offer further context, skid marks provide physical evidence that directly relates to the vehicle's dynamics at the time of the incident, thus serving as a critical tool for forensic analysis in determining vehicle movement.