This case represents and early example of our Digital Media Forensics work which resulted in a $3.5 million settlement and initiate police reforms in the area. The officer-involved shooting took place in 2015 and was partially captured on a police cruiser dash camera.
A deputy (on foot) approached a left turning vehicle. As the vehicle turned, both the vehicle and deputy left view of the dashcam. After leaving view of the dashcam, the deputy jumped onto the hood of the vehicle and shot the driver four times.
Dr. Ziernicki‘s report was highlighted in an article and story that aired on the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati outlining how his expertise played a substantial role in the recently settled Samantha Ramsey case in Boone County.
Our Digital Media Forensics team conducted videogrammetry using the dashcam footage and high definition 3D laser scanning to reconstruct the Deputy and vehicle movements while in the dashcam’s view. Further, advanced engineering techniques (based on physical evidence, bullet casing trajectories, dispatch timing, and vehicle engine/transmission specifications) were applied to reconstruct the vehicle/deputy movements and key positions after leaving the dashcam’s view.
Our client had this to say:
“Thanks in part to your excellent work as an expert, we were able to settle the case … for $3.5 million plus [police department] reforms in the use of force, medication, bodycams, investigations and more.”
