In the context of vehicle rescue, which function would involve breaking down an object's structure?

Breaking down an object's structure is best described by the function of disassembling. This term specifically refers to the process of taking apart or dismantling components of an object, which can involve removing fasteners, hinges, or any structural elements that hold parts together. In vehicle rescue, this function is crucial for gaining access to trapped individuals or for safely removing sections of a vehicle to facilitate extraction.

While the other terms can relate to various actions in a rescue operation, they do not encapsulate the idea of systematically taking an object apart to access or remove individuals effectively. Displacing refers more to moving an object from its original position without necessarily taking it apart. Distorting involves changing the shape of an object, but not necessarily intending to break it down structurally. Severing implies cutting through materials, which may also be used in rescue scenarios but doesn't specifically address dismantling the entire structure. Thus, disassembling is the most accurate term for breaking down an object's structure during a rescue.