Overview of Legal Technology Consulting, LLC.'s Forensic Animation, 2D Modeling, 3D Modeling, Multimedia Presentations, Forensic Reconstruction, and Training Courses.

Forensic Animation

One of the most powerful forms of demonstrative evidence available today is forensic animation and it is our speciality. We work closely with both defense and plaintiff attorneys and expert witnesses to solve complicated problems and to simplify the process of explaining difficult concepts. Our society is a fast paced, highly visual one. Many of us like information presented to us succinctly and in a very small amount of time. Visual forensic animations do exactly that. Audiences remember animations and they are a highly effective aid in presenting information quickly and accurately. Forensic animations help make presentations clear, concise, and convincing.

Forensic animation is a simulation of a documented phenomenon, such as an automobile accident, a crime scene, a product failure, a construction defect, or a personal injury. Data is gathered from multiple sources including police reports, eyewitness accounts, expert testimony, etc.)and that data is supplied in recreating the occurrence with high-precision forensic animation software.

In our experience working with attorneys and experts forensic animations have proven to be an effective pre-trial tool. Our forensic animations helped clients by creating helping them determine the merits of a case, for use in deposition, and for mediation. A legal animation created for mediation often negates the need to go to trial.

Why Use Forensic Animation?

Forensic animations are one of the most effective forms of demonstrative evidence available to attorneys. A well planned and well built animation is more easily understood and is more compelling than conventional presentations. A concise animation will demonstrate complex concepts and communicate large amounts of information faster than conventional tools. 3D animations can easily illustrate abstract ideas such as the flow of money or information between people or organizations. Forensic animations stick in the minds of the jurors. They create a unity of perception so that all the jurors see the same thing instead of visualizing what is being said individually. Forensic animations make a speaker's presentation more interesting and enhances their credibility.

Forensic animations can be used to determine the merits of a case. The process of building an animation will clarify the facts. It will become apparent if the case is a strong or a weak one. Any gaps in what happened or who was where/when, etc. become evident during the forensic animation process.

A forensic animation helps focus questions and elicits more complete information during a deposition. The development of a forensic animation prior to deposition will show where more information and collaboration is necessary. Forensic animations require rigorous attention to detail. During mediation, this means the expert and attorney will be totally prepared. You will have an edge over your opposition and they will know it. Animations for deposition and mediation go a long way in convincing the opposition you are thorough and prepared.

When appropriate for trial a forensic animation will make the facts more clear to the jury than other types of demonstrative evidence. Forensic animations provide continuity and smooth transitions from one exhibit to another. Forensic animations reinforce expert testimony and are mentally adhesive as well as being very compelling.

Realistic demonstrative evidence is evidence people relate to. The accuracy of the forensic animation depends on the information supplied to the animator. Everything is built to scale and every effort is made to create an accurate animation as we work directly with expert witnesses. Our experienced animators will make sure that models are appropriate for the animation. Potential openings for opposing counsel are eliminated. Forensic animations start with models of objects and people. Forensic models must be accurate and made to scale. Forensic models and animations are entered as demonstrative evidence.

Charts, diagrams and other visual aids are good for supplementing your verbal arguments however they cannot aid the juror in experiencing the course of events as they occurred. Static aids do not have the flexibility and impact as a dynamic presentation. One example is showing someone a photograph of an accident instead of showing them a video as it happened. As far as graphs are concerned, most people don't use graphs daily and this abstract information can be misconstrued in a juror's mind.

Types of Forensic Animations.

Three-dimensional animation can be offered for three basic purposes: as an illustration of witness testimony, as a tutorial, or as a simulation. Some animations show how something works such as opening a car door. This is called a demonstration animation and is usually uncontested. This demonstration animation is entered as demonstrative evidence. A depiction of an event is a recreation animation. What happens is known ahead of time so that there are no surprises. A recreation animation is also entered as demonstrative evidence. Another type of animation is called a simulation animation. It analogizes or proves something and is calculated by a computer. It forms the basis for or reinforces an expert's opinion. Simulation animations can be admitted as either scientific evidence or demonstrative evidence.

An animation used as an illustration may be considered as a moving diagram. The forensic animation must be authenticated in the same manner as any other diagram prepared to illustrate a witnesses testimony would be. If an animation is of an expert's opinion, the animation simply presents that opinion in visual form. A tutorial offered through an expert may also use a forensic animation to explain such things as scientific principles or human anatomy and physiology. The animation illuminates basic science rather than the expert's opinion. A forensic simulation requires more in the way of foundation. While the testimony of the animator is usually not required for the presentation of an illustration or tutorial, it is necessary to lay a proper foundation for a simulation by proving that the basis for the simulation is sound - for instance, the laws of physics must be applied in a physical simulation.

Types of cases that use Forensic Animation.

Virtually any type of case can benefit from a forensic animation both civil and criminal. Cases including accident ceconstruction, product liability, personal injury, medical, patent infringement, and crime reenactment are among these; all of these cases can benefit from forensic or legal animations. As with other types of evidence forensic animations must adhere to federal and state rules of evidence. Within the planning and production process falls we ensure the animation is in line with admissibility rules. It is our job to assist you in adhering to these rules and ensuring the admissibility of your project. The success of your project depends on the data that is supplied and the credibility of your expert witness that will work in conjunction with us on the project.

The use of animations are not limited to accident scenes. Forensic animations are used in criminal cases from minor crimes to homicide cases and a variety of non-criminal proceedings. The animations are based upon factual data gathered by the investigators. This information can include diagrams, photographs, and statements from witnesses and suspects.

Forensic Animations Analyzed.

Animations should be no longer than is necessary to explain your key points. We assist you in presenting your case ethically but correctly with judicious observation in the use of time. Experts sift through the data before the animator begins. This can include photographs, police reports, witness statements, technical documents, accident scene data, and possibly medical reports. The forensic expert calculates the placement of objects in the environment and their movements and then uses this data to place objects into the environment to correspond with the known facts. The computer animation is then generated upon verification by the expert. The animation is then used as an exhibit along with the expert testimony. The persuasive use of visualisation technology has spread and computer generated 3D graphics have become the visualisation tool of choice in the courtroom. Computer graphics have evolved from a way to visualize and demonstrate expert testimony during trial to other areas. Forensic animations are used during depositions. They are also used for leverage in settlement conferences or to disprove an opposing counsel's expert testimony.
Two types of forensic animations exist: descriptive forensic animations and scientific forensic animations. Descriptive forensic animation illustrate the testimony of an expert. Scientific forensic animations take actual dynamics and physics into account in the animation itself. Models are not animated by hand but by a programmer that programs and inputs data for the simulation. The computer program then creates an animation that fits the data. If alternative theories or scenarios are to be tested, the data is changed and the computer runs the new simulation. The changes are seen immediately in real time. In a sense, the program is its own expert and if the veracity of the programming is proven reliable the simulation may be admitted as evidence. This type of animation is more costly and requires more powerful computers and much more sophisticated programming then descriptive animation.
Note however that is has been shown that a one-hundred percent increase in juror retention of visual over oral presentations and a six-hundred and fifty percent increase in juror retention of combined visual and oral presentations over oral presentations alone are made when using forensic animations..

Imagine standing in front of a jury and instead of just telling your audience verbally what happened to your client you reenact the event before their eyes in a forensic animation. LTC specializes in the production of interactive demonstrative exhibits (forensic animations) for trial and arbitration use. We create accurate and intuitive, engaging graphics. 2D animations and and 3D animations will simplify the information you are attempting to explain to a jury or arbitration audience. This powerful addition to your case will greatly increase your chances of winning.

LTC offers the latest in forensic animations. We provide quality courtroom forensic animations tailored to your case. Our productions are designed to your specific legal standard and ensures relevant, accurate presentations for your court presentation or mediation. Forensic animations increase juror understanding and retention. Scenarios can be shown an event from more than one point of view and can experience the event at the speed at which it happened. Jurors can experience the event as it happened from multiple points of view, different angles and different speeds. Also, jurors can view alternate scenarios as they happen by adjusting different variables. For example, the speed of impact of two automobiles may be adjusted. Such flexibility and the precision of the technology allows your audience to view a situation in as many ways possible. You are strengthening your case by giving the jurors the tools to make the right decision with.

Forensic animations are based on facts and data provided by an expert witness. Forensic animations are used for product liability, mechanical failure, vehicular and aviation accidents, occupational accidents, product and materials failure, crime scene, and patent infringement cases. Forensic animation helps recreate scenes in an easily understood visual form that can be duplicated on video for widespread use and LTC owns some of the latest 3D software and can create any forensic scenario.

The Animation Process.

The first step in the production of forensic computer animation is the creation of a collection of three-dimensional models using computer software. Models used in forensic animation need to be created in accordance with high standards of accuracy. The models are based on a variety of reliable data including measurements and photographs taken by expert witnesses, and are built with software capable of constructing accurate three-dimensional models. These models can be classified according to their purpose and level of detail. Primary objects are the central focus of an animation, the documentation and accuracy of them are essential. Any undocumented or inaccurate inclusion in a forensic animation can preclude the primary models use. Secondary objects are used primarily to provide a background environment in which the action of the animation takes place.

The laws of physics in a forensic animation need to be well-defined and scientifically consistent. For example, in forensic animations illustrating an automobile accident, the motion of impacting vehicles should be established by a recognized expert in the field of accident reconstruction using hand calculations or scientific software that is generally accepted within the field. The expert witness provides the data in a format usable by an animator for inclusion in the animation. It is important to recognize that in this case the animation is an illustration of the expert's reconstruction of the accident. The animation must conform to the reconstruction.

Forensic animations are based on raw data derived primarily from sources such as expert witnesses, eyewitness testimony, accident reports, construction blueprints, etc. The forensic reconstruction or simulation is then used for trial or arbitration purposes. Variables such as level of detail, animation length, special effects, turnaround time, and complexity, can factor into the final cost of an animation. You will find that the cost of using animation will represent a small portion of the total cost of your case. As a litigator you can reduce your trial time by using animated presentations. The efficiencies associated with the consolidation of all or most of your exhibits into one streamlined media can trim your trial time by half and courtrooms are eager to embrace tools that help them expedite their cases.

Three-dimensional animations often represents the best choice to accurately display the results of the investigator or reconstructionist's examination to the viewers. The observer does not have to rely solely on the spoken word of the person testifying but can view the final reconstruction directly. A computer-generated forensic animation of the reconstruction can demonstrate the activity and location of objects involved at various points in time in the event. Once the reconstruction animation has been produced it is easy and cost-effective to generate additional views from various vantage points. For example to compare the point of view of a driver, or a pedestrian, or another vehicle's witness.

Using collected factual information, a scale model of the location and even is created and an animation generated based on either facts proven as a result of the investigative process or where there is insufficient evidence to conclusively prove a particular fact, the statements of witnesses or participants is used. The end product is based on one or more of these sources of information and most importantly, where different persons report differing versions of the event, these conflicting stories can be presented in two or more separate animations which each illustrate the event as reported by each party. Through this process, the animations may reveal that one or more of the reported versions of the event are more accurate than the other because of its recreation of substantiated facts.

The use of effective forensic animations is critical to the desired outcome of your presentation.

LTC Overview
Forensic Animation
2D Modeling and 3D Modeling
Multimedia Presentations
Forensic Reconstruction
Training