Expert Witness Blog

In What is Traffic Accident Reconstruction And Cause Analysis?, collision speed expert witness Patrick Scott Moore writes:

Why use a Reconstruction Specialist?

Attorneys understand the law and the procedures of a civil suit or criminal trial. However, most attorneys do not have the expert knowledge required to explain the causal factors of a traffic accident. Therefore, attorneys generally use experts to assist them with their more complex cases. A reconstruction specialist can evaluate and assist in the preparation and presentation of a technically involved case, as well as, testify as an expert.

In The I.S.O. Pollution Exclusion: How Far Does It Go?, insurance expert witness Dale C. Crawford writes:

In responding to judicial interpretations supportive of coverage, the language became quite restrictive. Two key clauses are the definition of pollutants and the exclusionary terms:

“Pollutants” mean any solid, liquid, gaseous or thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals and waste. Waste includes materials to be recycled, reconditioned, or reclaimed.

Health physics expert witnesses may write reports and opine on radiation safety. In Consumer Products Containing Radioactive Materials the Health Physics Society writes:

Everything we encounter in our daily lives contains some radioactive material, some naturally occurring and some man-made: the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the ground we walk upon, and the consumer products we purchase and use. Although many might be familiar with the use of radiation to diagnose disease and treat cancer, some people, when they hear the terms “radioactive” and “radiation,” might recall images of mushroom clouds or monster mutants that inhabit the world of science fiction movies and comic books. Unfortunately, those false images can cause inordinate fear that is not justified regarding low levels of radioactive material. Many consumer items containing naturally occurring radioactivity can be safely used. This fact sheet describes a few of the more commonly encountered and familiar consumer products. Included are the items that can contain sufficient radioactive material to be distinguished from the general environ-mental background radiation with a simple handheld radiation survey meter.

Read more: hps.org.

In What is Traffic Accident Reconstruction And Cause Analysis?, collision analysis expert witness Patrick Scott Moore writes:

When selecting a reconstruction specialist the experience, training, education, and certifications of the candidate should be thoroughly examined. The best approach is to require the candidate to have a strong background in each of the above mentioned areas. Many expert witnesses have only one or two of the areas such as education and/or training. With courts becoming more and more critical of experts it is best to search for a candidate that can meet the court’s criteria in all of the areas.

The following is a list of qualifiers:

Atmospheric physics expert witnesses apply physics to the study of the atmosphere. Atmospheric physicists attempt to model Earth’s atmosphere and the atmospheres of the other planets using fluid flow equations, chemical models, radiation balancing, and energy transfer processes in the atmosphere (as well as how these tie in to other systems such as the oceans). In order to model weather systems, atmospheric physicists employ elements of scattering theory, wave propagation models, cloud physics, statistical mechanics and spatial statistics which are highly mathematical and related to physics. It has close links to meteorology and climatology and also covers the design and construction of instruments for studying the atmosphere and the interpretation of the data they provide, including remote sensing instruments.

Read more:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_physics

In What is Traffic Accident Reconstruction And Cause Analysis?, traffic accident reconstruction expert witness Patrick Scott Moore writes:

Who are Reconstruction Specialists and how are they trained?

Reconstruction specialists are generally engineers, physicists, or law enforcement. Engineers and physicists are educated in the laws of physics, and therefore, are considered experts on objects in motion and the forces acting on those objects. Law enforcement is educated in the investigation of traffic accidents, as well as, physics as it applies to traffic accidents. Although it is generally true that engineers and physicists have a stronger background in physics, law enforcement generally has the stronger background in the identification, collection, and documentation of forensic evidence, as well as, courtroom testimony.

In What the Defendant Can Do Wrong, security management and risk management expert witness Ira Somerson, BCFE, CPP, CSC, writes on discovery and investigation of a Security Program:

Discovery and investigation of a premises security matters should seek to identify:

■ Did Defendant routinely conduct qualitative and quantitative risk assessments?

In Medical Office Building Appraisal, leasing expert witness Orell Anderson, MAI, of Bell, Anderson & Sanders LLC, writes:

Even when equipped with a complete understanding of how to appraise a standard office building, to appraise a medical office building an appraiser must thoroughly understand the many characteristics that make us appraisal unique. Not only do the physical, financial, and external influences of medical office buildings (MOB•) differ significantly from standard office buildings, but the recent proposed changes in the medical and political arenas add to the complexity of these appraisal assignments. All of these factors combined male appraising medical office buildings a specialty within the appraisal profession.

In What is Traffic Accident Reconstruction And Cause Analysis?, accident reconstruction expert witness Patrick Scott Moore writes:

Traffic accident reconstruction is the science of recreating the dynamics of a collision in an attempt to determine the causes. A complete reconstruction requires a complete investigation and analysis of all relevant evidence, statements of the parties and witnesses, and documentation of the collision.

Often, the reconstruction specialist will review and analyze photos and/or videos of the collision scene, police traffic accident reports, statements by the parties/witnessess, reports by claims adjusters, vehicle damage reports by auto body shops, medical reports describing injuries, and any other relevant information regarding the collision.