FORENSIC ANIMATION

Animation in the Courtroom

It is clear that computer animations and simulations can play an important role at trial and in settlement negotiations. While judges were, at first, reluctant to admit them as evidence, many courts have begun to accept animations, simulations, and other computer-generated materials as evidence.

The use of computer animation literally brings a new dimension to litigation, one that is powerful tool in an attorneys arsenal. The reason is simple: Animations are visually compelling, cutting through complex and confusing testimony to show precisely what happened.

Benefits

The facts concerning the use of computer animation at trial indicate that animations and simulations aid the jury in reaching decisions. Our society is very visually-focused, retaining far more of what they see than what they hear or read.

Recent juror comprehension studies from the American Bar Association show that "technical issues or complex fact patterns leave jurors confused, bored and frustrated. Jurors, often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, report difficulty remembering important facts and deciding critical issues as a result." The same studies demonstrate that juror retention increases one-hundred percent with visual, rather than oral presentations. Moreover, that retention increases by over six hundred and fifty percent with combined visual and oral presentations over oral presentation alone.

Indeed, jurors are used to getting multi-media information from watching TV and movies and they're accustomed to shock value. When things are reduced to a video presentation, the jury members understand exactly what you want them to understand. It carries much more weight than someone on the witness stand saying "This is what I believe happened."

Common Uses

Reconstruction of vehicle accidents is perhaps one of the most common uses of computer-generated evidence, but the use of animation is not limited to such cases. Computer animations have also been used successfully in medical malpractice cases, where damage to the body may be difficult to explain, and in patent law, where the issue of infringement or interference often depends upon subtle differences between two inventions. The use of computer animation isn't limited to civil cases, either. Computer animations have been used, quite effectively, in many criminal trials, both for the prosecution and the defense.

The increase in computing power and software quality has brought the cost of such animations down to a much more affordable level, making the use of computer-generated evidence an appropriate choice for a wider range of clients. Contact us to discuss how your case could benefit from an animation!

Admissibility

Computer-generated animation, as demonstrative evidence used to explain or illustrate a witness' testimoney, is a powerful evidentary tool that must be used with great care. Because of its dramatic power, animations must be carefully scrutinized for proper foundation, relevance, accuracy, and the potential for undue prejudice.

Ositis Animation holds to the highest standards of accuracy and admissibility, working closely with your expert witnesses to ensure that you can use the animation in court.