SEATBELT EXAMINATION
A seatbelt examination can be carried out to determine whether or not a seatbelt was worn in a collision. The examination involves visual and tactile examination of the webbing, the tongue and the D-ring for signs of occupant loading, testing of the retractor and buckle mechanisms, and examination of the state of any pyrotechnical device forming part of the seatbelt system. The visual examination includes stereo microsopy and digital macro and micro photography up to 40x magnification. In cases in which the forces generated in the collision may not have been large enough to cause occupant loading marks, the presence and location of blood deposits and impact damage to the seatbelt components may be used to determine the beatbelt wearing status.
Digital Photograph
Smearing and melting of plastic coating of tongue due to high contact force with seatbelt webbing
Digital Photograph
Digital Microphotograph at 10x
