Evidence and Admissibility
Types of Evidence
Illustrative animations depict an expert's opinion and are demonstrative, while simulations apply physical principles to model events and are substantive evidence requiring reliability foundation.
The distinction determines the admissibility standard.
Alternative Names:
Computer Animation|Animated Reconstruction
Why it Matters?
Simulations face a Daubert reliability inquiry that illustrative animations avoid, since a simulation asserts that the depicted events occurred as modeled while an animation merely illustrates what an expert says. Characterizing an animation as illustrative reduces the foundation burden but also limits how counsel may argue it. Underlying data assumptions drive the output, which makes discovery into the input parameters the effective challenge.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes animation from simulation?
What is the effective challenge?
