Methodology for the investigation of traffic crimes and contraventions

Abstract

The methodology of investigation into traffic crimes and violations is a topic that has been little addressed from a theoretical point of view in Ecuador. At an international level there is no absolutely uniform procedure that indicates the way in which traffic violations should be investigated. However, experts, instructors, members of the police and traffic forces in different countries have been establishing certain guidelines that can be applied as general rules in all cases, regardless of the particularities of each accident or violation. Thus, from a criminalistics point of view, when referring to methodology, it is a set of strategies, procedures, steps, rites, mechanisms or means that should be used when investigating events that occur while driving vehicles on the roads. The experience of specialists and investigators of this type of events has been the main source of enrichment of the doctrine of Criminalistics Science and of Criminalistics Methodology as part of it. The purpose of this study was to analyze the aspects of the methodology of criminal investigation of crimes through a broad bibliographic review and the application of methods such as analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and logical reasoning. Its results consist of a systematization of specific acts that can and should be carried out every time the competent authorities investigate a fact that may constitute a traffic violation.