Energy, Momentum and the Chaos of Time
Energy, Momentum and the Chaos of Time
by George M. Bonnett, JD
Analyzing a collision can be a cumbersome task. Reconstructionists
often use computer simulation programs to help them determine exactly what happened.
In his most recent article, Energy, Momentum and the Chaos of Time, George
Bonnett, takes a critical look at a couple of these programs, including SMAC and
PC-CRASH.
In the Foreword, forensic physicist Mike Andrews, Ph.D. writes, “[the
author] discusses several issues that plague the use of simulation in reconstruction.
Because simulations are time dependent, making even simple things happen ‘correctly’
can be difficult. In addition, simulation programs require a number of parameters
that have had very little scrutiny by the reconstruction community.”
Mr. Bonnett provides you with a brief history of why these computer
programs were developed and then explains the inherent weaknesses of them. He even
offers possible solutions for dealing with those programs which base their computations
on time, rather than actual measurements.
George Bonnett is a combat proven Marine Corps aviator
turned police officer turned attorney turned crash reconstructionist turned
software developer and author (REC-TEC). His whole life has depended on minute
attention to detail.
Specifications: 19 pages; 8½”x11; saddle stitched; Publisher: IPTM (April 2007)
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