Tyre Impression Marking on the Interior Surface of Clothing in a Fatal Road Traffic Incident

We present a photograph, taken at autopsy, of a very unusual, well-defined and preserved, patterned mark on the internal aspect of a subject's trousers, caused by the tyre of a large agricultural vehicle in a fatal run-over road traffic accident. The mark was formed by superficial skin components that had been forced onto the overlying internal surface of the denim jeans, during the incident and considered to be sufficiently detailed for potential forensic comparison work. Establishing the likely dynamics of a fatal road traffic incident and identifying/collecting trace and other evidence, that may help identify the vehicle involved in cases of uncertainty, forms a key part of the post mortem examination. This requires the pathologist undertaking the autopsy, not only to perform a detailed examination of the body of the deceased, but also to inspect the clothing. This case highlights the need to also carefully look at the inside surface of the clothing material.