The The Importance of Human Perception in Incident Reconstruction and Potential for Misleading Interactive Reconstructions

Abstract

A common and key component of forensic engineering and incident investigations is the “reconstruction” component. Reconstructions allow the investigator to build and analyze the incident based upon objective information such as video cameras (including dash cameras, surveillance cameras, and more), post-incident photographs (such as from first responders, eyewitnesses, etc.), physical data (including evidence such as skid marks in a roadway, damage patterns to involved objects such as vehicles, buildings, etc.), and even physical injuries. As reconstructions, software, and technology advance over time, “interactive” reconstructions are becoming increasingly beneficial and prevalent in investigations, allowing the reconstructionist to control and adjust the reconstruction as it is shown. Interactive reconstructions allow the controlling individual to move cameras, start and stop the reconstruction, adjust parameters or variables, and allow analysis of the incident from static and omniscient perspectives. However, such interactive reconstructions can also be misleading. This paper will discuss the often disregarded or misrepresented portion of a reconstruction — what the individual(s) in question “saw” or “perceived” during the incident — as well as demonstrate the potential for misleading interactive reconstructions.