What type of information is crucial when collecting evidence at a crash site?

When collecting evidence at a crash site, factual and documented evidence is crucial because it provides an objective basis for understanding what occurred. This type of evidence includes physical evidence such as tire marks, vehicle positions, damage assessments, and documentation like photographs and measurements. This information can be verified and analyzed scientifically, leading to a more accurate reconstruction of the events leading up to the crash.

Relying solely on personal opinions or memories can introduce bias or inaccuracies, as recollections can vary greatly among individuals. While witness statements may be valuable, they are subjective and can be influenced by a host of factors including personal perceptions and experiences. Past traffic records of the involved vehicles may provide context or background information, but they do not offer real-time, factual evidence about the specific incident being investigated. Factual and documented evidence stands as the most reliable foundation for any conclusions drawn about the crash.