ACCIDENT SCENE MEASUREMENT WITH TOTAL STATION, AND ANIMATION EVIDENCE ADMISSION

This paper offers an explanation for the use of total stations in vehicular accident reconstruction, their merit and strengths for substantiation, and their integration into computer generated video graphics (CGVG). An overview of measurement strategies is offered to fortify the likelihood of scene measurement evidence admission and foundational aspects for CGVG evidence admission. The total station offers the reconstructionist superior ability to collect evidentiary data with precision and accuracy. This allows precise analysis of measured data, and when combined with computer aided drafting (CAD) and CGVG programs, offers a solid foundation on which to analyse and display an accident reconstruction. The use of forensic animations or any demonstrative exhibit in the legal process is regulated by the rules of the court. The rules of evidence admission vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. This paper does not seek to address every admission requirement. Rather, the paper focuses on the areas of admission which may be controlled by the expert, that is, accuracy. It is concluded that the total station is a valuable tool in reconstructing vehicle accidents and in producing computer animations for display of the event. However, use of the total station does not ensure admission of evidence. (a) For the record of the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no 868510.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0868569895
• Corporate Authors:

  Queensland University of Technology

  School of Civil Engineering
  Brisbane,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • IRWIN, S
  • PARKS, L K
• Conference:
  • AIRIL '95: THE INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, RECONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION AND THE LAW: 16-19 OCTOBER, 1995, GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 165-71

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Computer programs; Conferences; Crash reconstruction; Mathematical models; Measuring instruments; Recording; Television
• ITRD Terms: 6155: Apparatus (measuring); 8525: Conference; 6473: Mathematical model; 1621: Reconstruction (accid); 6969: Recording; 8645: Software; 6949: Television
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00729026
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-86856-989-5
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 12 1996 12:00AM