The State Forensic Science Bureau is the only state forensic institution in Latvia conducting forensic investigation of vehicles. The forensic experts of the Technical Investigation Department examine road accident situations using traditional analytical and calculation methods as well as up-to-date computer modeling software.
If required, technical condition of the vehicle – its wheels, brake system and steering gear is examined in order to determine whether any damages or defects have caused the accident. The speed of the vehicle before the accident is determined by examination of the digital or analogue tachographs.
Examination of the homoscopic traces (human teeth marks, traces left by lips and ears, footprints in socks; knots, stitches and other traces left by human activities) and mechanoscopic traces (traces of burglary tools, instruments and technological equipment; protection devices and locks; vehicle parts; traces left by vehicle parts; mechanical damage to clothes and footwear; reconstruction of the whole object from its parts) and the traceological examination are in the competence of the Technical Investigation Department.
Examining identification numbers the forensic experts determine whether the vehicle identification numbers (VIN number, production number, identifying stickers), the gun identification number or identification number of a household appliance have been changed in any way and restore, if required, initial numbers that have been destroyed or faded using chemical and magnetoscopic methods.
The forensic experts of the Technical Investigation Department conduct examinations in 5 forensic science areas such as
- Examination of the technical condition of the vehicle
- Examination of road accident mechanisms
- Examination of identification numbers
- Examination of homoscopic, footwear, clothing and vehicle traces
- Examination of mechanoscopic traces.