interactive media and animation
Frequently Asked Questions about forensic animation
- What are the benefits of using animation as part of my case?
- How much does a forensic animation cost? What affects the price?
- How long does it take to develop a forensic animation?
- How do I know my animation will be admissible?
- In what format would I receive my forensic animation?
Do you have other questions that you would like to see here? Contact us with your question and we will be sure to get back to you with a personal reply.
What are the benefits of using animation as part of my case?
The primary benefit of using animation as demonstrative evidence is to maximize the jury's understanding of a specific concept or point. Animation is an excellent way to quickly explain a complex or time-dependent topic, such as how machinery operates. Recreating the sequence of events leading up to an accident or crime will allow members of the jury to experience these events as animations from multiple points of view.
Animations can also be very useful prior to the trial, allowing you to visually evaluate the merits of your case, or to help expedite a settlement during arbitration or mediation. The early phases of creating an animation will result in a thorough review of the evidence as it is modeled and animated in three dimensions, which may help identify missing information or misconceptions about the actual events.
How much does a forensic animation cost? What affects the price?
At Framework Media, the cost of creating a forensic animation can range anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, depending upon duration and scene complexity. The complexity of the scene is based on the number of objects in a scene and to what level of detail those objects are to be represented. Duration is measured in seconds, but may be different than the duration of the actual event if multiple viewpoints, multiple scenarios, or slow motion replays are included. Other considerations include resolution (HD content requires more detail than DVD) and the urgency of the schedule.
Since there are so many factors that affect the development cost and each case is unique, it is best to request a free consultation which will include a detailed quote with an itemized list of deliverables, complete with an estimated cost associated for each deliverable.
How long does it take to develop a forensic animation?
Small animations can be created in as little as 10 days. More comprehensive projects may take 90 days or more to develop. Projects with many different attorneys and/or expert witnesses reviewing the animation may require extra time for reviews and revisions. All cases require timely access to the necessary evidence to maintain a predefined schedule. Access to certain evidentiary data, such as 3D CAD files for product or machinery animations, can dramatically speed up the development time. Early involvement of animation in the case can yield significant benefits, and it may make sense to retain an animator prior to expert witnesses.
How do I know my animation will be admissible?
The considerations for admissibility are unique to each case, and we cannot guarantee your animation will be admissible. However, as courtrooms become more comfortable with animated content, admissibility guidelines are becoming more defined. Assuming your animation is to be used to support your expert witness's testimony, it will be submitted as demonstrative evidence and subject to the same admissibility criteria as a traditional chart or diagram:
- The animation must be authentic. Your expert witness should be able to authenticate the animation as a fair and accurate visual representation of his or her testimony.
- The animation must be relevant. The actions depicted in the animation should be limited to those specific to the case to ensure relevance.
- The animation's probative value should outweigh any prejudicial effect. To minimize the danger of unfair prejudice, focus on delivering facts and avoid including graphic images that will emotionally shock jurors.
One final consideration is to be sure to give opposing counsel adequate time to review the animation.
In what format would I receive my forensic animation?
DVDs or computer video files are the formats of choice for today's courtroom presentations. DVD players are now part of most audio/video systems, and use of a standard TV remote to play and pause the animation can be very natural when addressing the jury. For others, embedding animation into a PowerPoint presentation is an attractive option, and Windows Media formatted deliverables are the best choice for this situation. For very complex cases, you may need a completely different mechanism for presenting content, including interactive multi-viewpoint tools or real-time 3d display of the animation models. In this case, we can develop custom applications to display that content and deliver them as self-contained Windows or Mac OS applications.