Animations v. Simulations

There are distinct differences between Animations and Simulations.  Animations usually illustrate the testimony of experts.  They are typically referred to as “Demonstrations of an Expert Witnesses Opinion” showing the theory of what happened in a particular case.   They usually encompass a myriad of data including:  police reports, total station surveys, CADD drawings, photographs, time/distance calculations, aerial photography, exemplar models and many others.

Simulations (such as SMAC) are often used by a variety of legal experts to test the dynamic parts of a case in-order to help shape their opinion.  Simulations are based on real-time software calculations that help determine and can predict the final outcome of an accident.  Parameters, such as distance, slope, friction, coefficients, and speed, are input into the program while mathematical formulas calculate the results and are then depicted as 2D graphics or tabulated data.  Sometimes, they take on a 3D form, but rarely do they match the level of detail and realism that a computer animation can generate.  Typically, simulations are used for research and are rarely used as a final work product for trial.  There are several reasons for this, including: 

  1. Reality is difficult to program
  2. Accidents have many variables
  3. Prohibitive cost
  4. Sight anomalies and errors can make the final product inadmissible
  5. Lack of flexibility when combining multiple sets of information and opinions
  6. Lack of image realism

Hybrid Solutions that combine both animations and simulations are sometimes used to for complex cases such as aviation accidents.  For example, Fearless Eye will sometimes use a simulation program to calculate the pitch and bank of a plane as it flies through the air based on average wind speed and known heading vectors.  We will then export this information and make it a part of our final animation that is based on measured radar data.  In this way, we combine known points-in-time (locations) with simulated plane movements, to create an empirically based animation that has realistic looking pitch and bank motion as well as accurate heading and location information.  The animation has not been tainted by the simulation work we produced.  It has simply been enhanced. See Carnahan v. Parker Hannifin for a Case Example