Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

Which of the following describes damage that may appear as scrape marks on a vehicle's body?

1. Induced damage

2. Contact damage

3. Pre-existing damage

4. Environmental damage

The correct answer is: Contact damage

Contact damage refers to the type of damage that results from direct contact with another object. In the context of vehicles, this can include scrape marks that occur when one vehicle collides with or brushes against another object, such as a wall, another vehicle, or any other surface. These scrape marks are evidence of the physical impact and the force of contact that occurred, thereby accurately characterizing what is seen on the vehicle's body. Induced damage, while potentially similar in appearance, usually results from secondary impacts or effects, such as from the forces transferred during a collision. Pre-existing damage involves any damage that was present on the vehicle prior to the incident, which would not account for scrape marks produced in a recent contact event. Environmental damage pertains to deterioration caused by environmental factors over time, such as corrosion or paint fading, and does not relate to the immediate physical contact that produces scrape marks. Therefore, contact damage is the most appropriate term for describing the scenario presented in the question.