Visualizations
CGE uses animation or visualization to illustrate opinions and testimony in accident analysis. Simulation of the accident sequence in a physics-based environment can help demonstrate the time-distance relationship between vehicles and show the cause of the incident. Visualization also creates the ability to “see” an accident from the perspective of a driver or key witness to an accident.
Engineers can also use computer graphics to create visual representations of the accident, such as 3D models, which can be used to illustrate key points in testimony. Engineers can also use data visualization techniques to analyze the data from the accident, such as speed and acceleration data, and create visual representations of the data to develop opinions about how the accident occurred and to support testimony.
PC-Crash Animations
CGE engineers use PC-Crash accident simulation software to accurately simulate a motor vehicle crash and animate the crash by inputting various parameters such as vehicle speed, impact angle, road surface friction, and other relevant factors. The software’s physics engine calculates the movements of each vehicle during the collision, taking into account the momentum, weight, and other relevant physical properties. The simulation produces detailed data on the speeds, directions, and forces acting on each vehicle and its occupants during the crash. The engineers can then use this data to analyze the crash and determine its cause. The software also produces animations of the crash, which can be used in presentations to illustrate the events of the collision visually. Overall, PC-Crash accident simulation software is a valuable tool for engineers to accurately simulate motor vehicle crashes and analyze their causes. PC-Crash can utilize scene photos as a backplate for animation or to extract key evidence from the photo for simulation. PC-Crash animations are a cost-effective animation technique to visualize an accident.
Computer Generated (CG) Animations
Computer generated environments have become increasingly advanced and realistic in recent years, making it possible to visualize a car crash with great accuracy. By using high quality digital vehicle models, scene models and physics-based reconstruction techniques, accident reconstructionists can create digital visualizations of car crashes that look like the actual crash. This level of detail and accuracy allows investigators, engineers, and accident reconstructionists to study and analyze the factors that contributed to a crash, such as vehicle speed, trajectory, and impact forces. The realistic animations of the crash, which can be used in court cases, educational materials, and public safety campaigns help demonstrate what happened in the crash. With the ability to create realistic depictions of car crashes, computer-generated environments have become an invaluable tool for improving our understanding of the causes and consequences of vehicular accidents.
Camera Matched Animations
The use of animations created from virtual models of vehicles or machines overlaid on top of a photograph used as a backplate has become an increasingly valuable technique in forensic engineering. The process involves creating a digital model of the vehicle or machine, which is then animated to move realistically and accurately in a 3-dimensional virtual environment. The virtual model is then superimposed onto a photograph of a real-world environment, creating a seamless blend between the digital and physical worlds. This technique allows for the creation of visually stunning and highly realistic visuals that can be used to illustrate an incident accurately.
Video Matched Animations
Matching the motion in a video can be used to reconstruct an incident such as a shooting, a motor vehicle accident, or a pedestrian accident by analyzing the movement of objects and people in the video. This involves tracking the position, velocity, and acceleration of objects and people in the video and using this information to recreate the sequence of events that led up to the incident.
For example, in the case of a shooting, video footage can be used to determine the location of the shooter, the direction and trajectory of the bullet, and the movements of any individuals involved in the incident. By analyzing the motion of the objects and people in the video, investigators can reconstruct the sequence of events that led up to the shooting, including the actions of the shooter and any individuals who may have been targeted.
Similarly, in the case of a motor vehicle accident, video footage can be used to determine the speed and direction of the vehicles involved and the sequence of events leading up to the accident. By analyzing the motion of the vehicles and people in the video, investigators can reconstruct the accident and determine factors such as who was at fault, the cause of the accident, and the severity of the injuries sustained.
Once the motion of the objects and people in the video has been analyzed and the incident has been reconstructed, the video can be used to visualize the incident from different perspectives using animation. This can help investigators and other parties involved in the incident to understand the sequence of events more clearly and to identify any factors that may have contributed to the incident. For example, animation can be used to show the movement of vehicles or people from different angles or to highlight specific details of the incident, such as the point of impact or the location of key objects. Overall, matching motion in a video can be a powerful tool for reconstructing and visualizing incidents such as shootings, motor vehicle accidents, and pedestrian accidents.
Interactive Animations
Interactive animation is a powerful tool for visualizing and depicting different viewpoints and variables within an accident reconstruction. By using virtual reality, these animations can provide an immersive experience that allows viewers to explore the scene from multiple perspectives and gain a deeper understanding of the event. This technology can be particularly useful in forensic investigations, where reconstructing accidents and crime scenes can be critical to determining what happened and who is responsible. Interactive animation allows investigators and legal teams to recreate the scene in great detail, manipulate variables, and test different scenarios, ultimately leading to a clearer picture of the events in question.