|
Vehicle theft investigations are
comprised primarily of insured/witness interviews, review of the police report,
proof of loss, and inspection of the vehicle, if recovered. Our approach to
suspect motor vehicle theft claims, with or without arson, is the determination
of a number of issues, including but not limited to:
- Whether or not the vehicle was
a lease vehicle and, if so, the odometer reading.
- Whether or not the insured was
current with payments.
- How many sets of keys exist,
who had them and where they are now.
- Whether or not a key was used
to enter the vehicle.
- Whether or not the steering
column lock was defeated.
All keys should be accounted for
and recovered for key path analysis. Although this technique has experienced
some controversy, the nature of the controversy is more on the nature of
technical legal issues, rather than a repudiation of the science (Daubert). When
the issues are resolved, the science will most likely be found valid, as they
are based on long standing principles of forensics known as tool mark, or
unique, evidence characteristics.
You may not be challenged on the
basis of Daubert and, even if you are, you may eventually prevail.
The issues listed above
constitute only a fraction of those issued covered in a comprehensive
investigation, but are typically some of the most significant.
Call us for a free consultation
today.
[back]
|