The Use of Three-Dimensional Injury Maps and The Effects of Different Visual Presentation Formats

Abstract

Electronic Presentation of Evidence (EPE) is the most modern form of displaying evidence in court; EPE can be presented in the form of computer animated aids. An example of this is three-dimensional injured anatomical models, also known as injury mapping. This study aimed to determine the most effective format to display injury maps in court. Experts have proclaimed that injury maps are currently displayed through the form of videos and static images. However, the existing methods present limitations such as limited angles and restricted zoom settings. Professionals have recommended injury maps to be displayed on an interactive platform. During the experiment, an injury map was created and exported in three displaying formats (Static image, Video, Interactive platform). Thirtytwo participants, that met the demographical requirement of a jury, viewed the injury maps through the three formats. A qualitative questionnaire based on the effectiveness of each displaying format, was produced and answered by the participants. Once the data points were gathered, data analysis was conducted to determine the favourable displaying format. Twenty-two out of thirty-two participants preferred the interactive format, which has prompted experts in the field to move into the era of producing an interactive platform to display injury maps.