Computer generated 3D animations are being used widely to demonstrate to jurors what an expert has determined occurred during an accident or crime. A 3D animation presents technical and complex information in a clear and compelling way, which enables the entire jury to see the facts of the case as the attorney and expert believe that they occurred.

The introduction of high-speed laser scanning has increased the accuracy and realism available to forensic animators. Combining this accuracy with laser-assisted photogrammetry is allowing experts, working closely with forensic animators, to accurately reconstruct events that would have been impossible or financially prohibitive a few years ago.

The reconstruction is done on a computer using a 3D working model of the event. The computer-generated model includes all known physical evidence at the scene, as it existed during the event. The model can be used to reconstruct what happened, as well as what could not have happened.