#My Forensic Case Won!
12 messages in this thread
To all forensic animators (and anyone else):
Thought I would share my good news. For almost a year I have worked on what I
always termed on line here as "a big case". I didn't want to say too much other
than tech tips I needed some of your input on during my work. Well the
animation was admitted (the first victory), I testified and was not raked over
the coals as I thought I might be (second victory) and today after only 5 hours
of deliberation the jury ruled in favor of the defense (whom I was working for
– the BIG victory). I wanted to post this to:
a) Brag a little (come on, I worked hard)
b) Let others trying to get into forensic work know it pays off
c) Thank all of you who gave your advice and help along the way
d) Thought Autodesk would like to know I played up their software as being "the
industry standard for 3D animation on the PC" (that's what it says on the box
right?) – So if they want to feature me in any upcoming commercials for that
free plug I am willing.
The case was in Iowa. A basketball star for the Hawkeyes named Chris Street was
struck and killed in Jan. 1995 by a snowplow driver. My animation showed the
scene under 2 conditions, first with the snowplow doing 10mph over the speed
limit, the second actually doing the speed limit. Both scenarios produced a
collision which was the point of the animation. (All this based on figures
supplied to me by the expert for the defense.)
I rendered the scene from 3 different vantage points. I have uploaded 2 files:
truk1.jpg and truk2.jpg if anyone cares to take a look.
Paul Kakert
Fresh Look Design
Way to go, Paul. Bring a copy to Siggraph for us all to see!
— James — Choreo Motion —
Congrats, Paul!
-Alan
Freaking Fantastic! Paul!!!
I love it!
Congratulations on a very well deserved Victory.
Murph'
Congrats!, Paul – bring it to Siggraph!!!
Thanks all for the responses. I am making plans for siggraph this year so I
will make sure to bring a tape. This will be my first trip to the conference so
I am looking forward to meeting a lot of people from the forum.
See ya,
Paul
I will hope to see you there, it is one of the funnest weeks of the year, (at
least for me) (g).
look forward to seeing your animation . . .
-Kyle
Be prepared for sensory overload at Siggraph. I went to the one in Anaheim in
93, and was sort of paralyzed at first not knowing where to go or what to do.
Not sorry I went, though.
Tim
P.S. wear comfy walking shoes
> This will be my first trip to the conference <
Ut-oh! You're in for a real treat! I went to Siggraph 92 in Chicago and
missed almost all of the action because I was sort of lost in a daze. At
Siggraph 93 in Anahiem I caught about half of the festivities since I was
finally tuning in. Last year in Orlando, I really lived it up — didn't miss a
thing! I was going non-stop from the moment I arrived. Explore the floor,
classes, and announcements all day. In the late afternoon, make a futile
attempt to read the volumes of collected product literature, magazines, and
books. At night, party with other 3D folks.
I highly suggest you hook-up with a veteran Siggraph/ASOFT bash attendee so you
don't miss out. You really have to keep you ears to the rails to keep-up with
spontanious events. Usually, the Autodesk booth acts as the central hub for
information dispersal. It was an immensly addictive event!!
— James — Choreo Motion —
Way to go Paul, we are all so proud of you, just like you were a son of ours
<BG>.
>>I testified and was not raked over the coals as I thought I might be<<
How long were you on the stand and what kinds of questions did they ask you?
Regards………Rick – Technical Animations
Siggraph –
I feel like I've really missed out, being a siggraph virgin all these years.
Can't wait.
Testifying –
I was on the stand about 20 minutes (including when they cleared the courtroom
to allow the judge to view the animation before deciding on its admissability
(sp?)) They simply asked whose figures I used, since each side had conflicting
expert testimony of speeds and distances, etc. They asked about the computer
and its reliability, the program and its acceptance in the professional
community, exactly what it was that I did. I explained how I got the car models
(viewpoint) and how I built all the rest based on police reports.
The big question was "Do you believe this type of simulation is only as good as
the numbers you plug into it?" Answered with a big "absolutely!" That took any
burden off my shoulders. Sort of like saying (ala Dragnet) "I'm just the artist
ma'am."
It was truely an experience.
See ya,
Paul
Paul,
Its good to here about your experience in the courtroom. I was deposed in a
train case, but it settled before going to trial. The first time is always the
hardest when you don't know what to expect. Now your are a seasoned veteran
<BG>.
Well….when you come down out of the clouds, whats your next case about?
Congrats again!!!
Regards………….Rick – Technical Animations