Transcript Slide 1

Is it worth the cost to make
digital data admissible?
Some thoughts from an expert witness
presented by
Charles E. Olson, Jr.
Professor Emeritus of Natural resources
University of Michigan
and
Senior Image Analyst
Michigan Tech Research Institute
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Types of Digital Data
Satellite Data
U.S. government satellite systems
Foreign satellite systems
Commercial satellite systems
Aerial Photography
For governmental bodies
For non-governmental bodies
Utility companies
Mining companies
Environmental groups
Some Types of Non-governmental Photos
Introduced in Litigation
Speculative vertical photos
Vertical photos flown for:
Utility companies
Real estate developers
Environmental groups
Oblique aerial photos flown by:
Real estate firms
Environmental groups
Need for data develops several years
after data acquisition.
“Damage” often unnoticed at occurrence
Who did what? When? Where?
Non-governmental data provides coverage
for possibly critical dates
Governmental records often inaccurate
80% accuracy has become accepted norm
Archived imagery may permit correction
Of 24 cases involving air photos
3 relied solely on Federal Photos
3 relied solely on Federal Plus State
Photos (DOT and DNR)
18 included non-governmental photos
Photos held by air survey firm (11)
Photos held by public utility (8)
Photos held by U. of Michigan (3)
Small format, 35 mm (3)
Photo held by real estate firm (1)
IF A CLIENT ASKS:
Will the data you supply be admissible if I
have to take it to court?
IF A CLIENT ASKS:
Will the data you supply be admissible if I
have to take it to court?
YOUR REPLY MIGHT BE:
Not unless you preserve it unaltered; OR
You pay me to archive it for you?
IF A CLIENT ASKS:
Will the data you supply be admissible if I
have to take it to court?
DO YOU WANT TO REPLY:
Not unless you preserve it unaltered; OR
You pay me to archive it for you?
IS THIS COST JUSTIFIABLE?