Are Computer Reconstructions (Animations) Scientific Evidence?
Basically an accident reconstructionist starts where the accident ends. He surveys the accident scene and examines the vehicles. He speaks to witnesses and drivers. From this point he uses the principles physics, human behavior, and his own experience to determine what happened before, during and after the accident. Although an expert may use science to provide some information, he blends art and science into forming an opinion. If we use the Daubert analysis of what constitutes scientific evidence, at least to the point it is given in the decision, we need to see if accident reconstruction can be tested as to accuracy. If it has been subject to peer review and publication, the known or potential error rate and the general acceptance of the technique among the proper community. The SAE has numerous papers dealing with computer assisted accident reconstruction. These factors alone seem to weigh in favor of accident reconstruction programs fitting inside the nonexclusive test proposed by
