MCQ – 73536

Two bodies are found outside the car following an accident. The doctor conducting the autopsy was able to decide who was driver based on all of these features except:

A.	Whiplash injury
B.	Steering wheel imprint
C.	Sparrow foot marks
D.	Seat belt abrasion over left shoulder

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Correct Answer » C Explanation

• Whiplash injury is a non-specific injury
• It occurs due to sudden acceleration–deceleration of the neck
• It can be seen in:
  • Driver
  • Front seat passenger
  • Rear seat passengers
• Hence, it cannot help in identifying the driver

Supporting Forensic Points

Sparrow foot marks (Dicing injuries)

• Caused by tempered glass (side window) shattering
• Appear as small, angular, superficial cuts
• Side helps identify position:
  • Driver (Right-hand drive countries like India):
    • Injuries on right side of face/arm
  • Passenger:
    • Injuries on left side

Other Driver-Specific Clues

• Steering wheel imprint
  • Strong indicator of driver
• Seat belt abrasion
  • In right-hand drive:
    • Driver → left shoulder to right hip

 Motor Vehicle Injuries:
Car (Four-wheeler) Injuries:

Whiplash injury	Acute hyperflexion followed by hyperextension of neck due to violent acceleration or deceleration force. Applied to (front seat) passenger (passenger >Driver)
Steering wheel impact type injury	Occurs due to sudden stop of car, throwing forward the driver Throat crushed across top of steering wheel or horn ring (Occurs in
Seat belt syndrome	Contusion,laceration,perforation & avulsions of small intestine, omentum, & mesentery There may be rupture of abdominal aorta, spleen, liver, pancreas,
Hinge fracture	Skull base fracture running along the petrous ridges through sella turcica, i.e.
Ladder tears	Multiple transverse intimal tears in aorta, adjacent to main rupture.