Which of the following is categorized as short-lived evidence susceptible to destruction?

The choice of fluid trails as the answer highlights the transient nature of certain types of evidence in traffic incident management. Fluid trails, such as those left by spilled substances or vehicle fluids, are often present immediately following an incident but can quickly be altered or washed away by environmental factors, traffic flow, or cleanup efforts. This makes them short-lived evidence that can be easily destroyed if not documented promptly.

In contrast, long-term witness interviews and insurance documentation are examples of evidence that can be preserved for extended periods, as they rely on human recollection and written records, respectively. Traffic patterns, while they can change frequently, represent larger observational data that can be analyzed over time rather than being subject to immediate alteration like fluid trails. Therefore, the ephemeral nature of fluid trails is what qualifies them as short-lived evidence in the context of traffic incident management.