CASE HISTORY: THE INVESTIGATION
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Detective chief inspector John Oldham formerly led a homicide team and now investigates road deaths. “The scenes are often worse than the murders I investigated,” he said. A lorry driver involved in an accident is likely to be considered a suspect during the initial investigation.
“When someone has died, the driver will be put in a white suit, he can’t contact his wife. He is a suspect until proven otherwise. He will be put under pressure and not given time to collect his thoughts. We will keep the lorry and its load as long as we need to – justice comes first in my opinion,” said Oldham.
The investigation will look at how the cyclist rode, or the pedestrian walked, and how the vehicle was driven. Filmed reconstructions might take place and drivers, suspects and witnesses will be interviewed. A road could be closed for some time if radioactive material was involved. The police will visit the operator to see how other vehicles are kept. A collision investigator’s report will be prepared and technical experts might be involved. Any defects will be put under the spotlight. “If the lorry had a problem with air brakes, I would need a brake expert,” said Oldham.
Consultations with the CPS and the coroner will follow and the case will be reviewed by a senior detective. All this will happen before anyone is charged.