Forensic Vision with Application to Highway Safety with CD-Rom 3rd Edition

Authors: Marc Green, Merrill J. Allen, Bernard S. Abrams, Leslie Weintraub ISBN 10: 1-933264-54-3 ISBN 13: 978-1-933264-54-7 Copyright Date Ed: June 23, 2008 Pages: 496 pages Binding Information: Casebound with DVD Size: 7 ✕ 10 Inches (US) Written for attorneys, law enforcement personnel, optometrists, highway engineers, automobile manufacturers, legislators, expert witnesses, and other related professionals, Forensic Vision: with Application to Highway Safety is your reference for accident cases with a vision component. While it does have a focus on the roadway environment, it is primarily about vision and the visual science that applies to analyzing all types of transportation accidents and non-transportation accidents such as auto accidents, pedestrian accidents, falls, medical errors, warnings, eyewitness identification, and more. This new edition is divided into four sections for ease of use. The first three are: Basic Vision—the operation of normal vision; Clinical Vision—impairments of vision due to disease and aging; and Roadway Vision—factors affecting vision in the roadway environment. They cover the scientific aspects, including scientific background information and experimental and investigation design and methodology. You will also find this book to be practical in nature. The fourth section, Forensic Vision — application of the preceding material to accident analysis — and the "Forensic Vision Tool Kit" present extensive information on analyzing accident scenarios involving visibility as well as tips for use of pictorial evidence in the courtroom, techniques for testifying about vision in court, and more. It is filled with practical advice for professionals working on vision cases, and includes seven appendices with additional helpful information. When reconstructing the accident, vision is always a component. You need to know what questions are vital to ask, when to call the expert, what evidence will be needed, what kind of help can be expected, and how to structure testimony. Forensic Vision: With Application to Highway Safety provides you with a basic reference in the vision area as well as a starting point for more advanced research. This book is also available as an eBook. Click here to purchase and download: TOPICS INCLUDE Conspicuity Attention Space and depth perception Contrast thresholds Color and vision Color and vision Physics of light Forensic vision and human factors in the courtroom Forensic aspects of visual perception Physiology of the eye Vision and aging Drugs and alcohol and their effects on vision Systemic diseases and visual impairment Eye diseases and visual impairment Vision tests and prescribing for driving Vision requirements for driving Visual problems in the automobile Visual hazards on streets and highways The practice of forensic visibility Visibility analysis Visibility and human factors evaluation Measurement and evaluation of motor vehicle lighting Pedestrian accident analysis Collision analysis Breaking and stopping Visual analysis of pictorial evidence The eye is not a camera Vision and behavior Vision and cognitive information processing Psycophysical concepts of vision Use of expert witnesses Questions that might be asked Documentation needed Visual angles and visual acuity Geometric optics Table of Contents Preface: From Judkin’s Law To Daubert Criteria Chapter 1: Introduction to Vision 1.1 Introduction A. Vision = Sensation + Perception (+Attention) B. Vision Is Complex, Naïve Realism Is Simple 1.2 Embedding Vision In Behavior A. Open-Loop and Closed-Loop Behavior B. Cognitive Information Processing C. Behavioral Sequences 1.3 Example: The Underride Accident 1.4 Conclusion Chapter 2: Psychophysics 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Psychophysical Concepts A. Classical Psychophysics B. Signal Detection Theory 2.3 Magnitude Scaling 2.4 Conclusion Chapter 3: Physics, Physiology, Psychology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Physics A. Light B. Optics 3.3 Physiology A. Eye Anatomy and Optics B. Eye Muscles C. The Retina D. Visual Modes E. Higher Visual Pathways 3.4 Brightness A. Brightness and Reflectance B. Adaptation 3.5 Color A. Basic Color Vision B. Color Deficiency C. Color and Brightness 3.6 Conclusion Chapter 4: Attention and Conspicuity 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Laws Of Attention 4.3 Types of Attention A. Source of Control B. Filtering Criteria 4.4 Conspicuity A. Sensory Conspicuity B. Cognitive Conspicuity 4.5 What Is Inattention? 4.6 Causes Of Attentional "Failure" A. Insufficient Capacity B. Attentional Set 4.7 Conclusion Chapter 5: Systemic Diseases and Highway Safety 5.1 Metabolic Diseases A. Diabetes mellitus B. Thyroid disease C. Hyperparathyroidism and hypoparathyroidism D. Posterior pituitary insufficiency E. Anterior pituitary insufficiency <br>F. Pituitary tumor G. Adrenal cortical hypersecretion (Cushing’s disease), and hypo-secretion (Addison’s disease) H. Hyperfunction of the adrenal medulla 5.2 Cardiovascular Disease A. Congestive heart failure B. Arrhythmias C. Angina pectoris (cardiac pain) D. Hypertension E. Hypotension 5.3 Cerebrovascular Attacks (CVA) Chapter 6: Vision Tests 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Case History 6.3 Preliminary Examinations A. Visual acuity B. Ocular motility C. Visual fields D. Pupil dynamics E. Equating retinal illumination F. Lids and cornea G. Lens and vitreous H. Fundus study I. Intraocular pressure J. Photo convulsive behavior 6.4 Refraction A. Objective tests B. Subjective tests 6.5 Five Fundamental Variables of Ocular Muscle Coordination A. Distance phoria B. Positive fusional convergence C. Negative fusional convergence D. Amplitude of accommodation E. A.C.A. ratio 6.6 Special Tests A. Aniseikonia B. Color vision C. Stereopsis D. Night visual performance E. Visual fields F. Reaction time G. Glaucoma Chapter 7: Eye Disease and Highway Safety 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Corneal Dystrophies/Degeneration/Scars 7.3 Cataracts 7.4 Glaucoma 7.5 Peripheral Visual Field Loss 7.6 Macular Degeneration/Maculopathies 7.7 Retinitis Pigmentosa 7.8 Diabetic Retinopathy 7.9 One-Eyed and Spectacle Corrected Aphakes 7.10 Postoperative Cataract and Refractive Surgery 7.11 Ocular Muscle Imbalance 7.12 Color Blindness 7.13 Depth Perception 7.14 Age Chapter 8: Drugs and Alcohol Affecting Highway Safety 8.1 Introduction A. Narcotic analgesics (pain relievers) B. CNS depressants C. Dissociative anesthetics (PCP and analogs) D. Cannabis (marijuana and hashish) E. Hallucinogens (psychedelics) F. Inhalants G. CNS stimulants H. Ophthalmic agents 8.2 HGN: Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus A. HGN prosecution B. HGN defense Chapter 9: Visual Aging 9.1 Introduction A. Refresher on Visual System and its Function B. The Definition of Normal 9.2 Anatomical / Physiological Changes with Age A. Optical Components B. Neural Components C. Extraocular Muscles and Eye Movements 9.3 Visual Function Changes with Age A. Functions which Decline with Age B. Visual functions which remain relatively unchanged with age C. Relation of Sensory to Perceptual and Cognitive Deficits 9.4 Implications of Visual Aging Changes for "Normal" Behavior and Environmental Design A. Summary and General Solutions B. Mobility C. Driving: Are Older Drivers Really Worse Drivers? 9.5 Conclusions Chapter 10: Visual Problems in the Automobile 10.1 Eye Position on the Highway 10.2 Glare 10.3 Dirt and Scratches on the Windshield 10.4 Windshield Tint 10.5 Distortions 10.6 Obstructions and the Rear-View Mirror 10.7 Instrument Panel Visibility 10.8 Headlights A. Aim B. Filament shields C. Sleepy eye shields D. Disappearing headlights E. All weather head lighting system 10.9 Signal Visibility A. Front signals B. Rear signals C. Flash rate D. Dirt 10.10 Vehicle Visibility Chapter 11: Visual Hazards on Streets and Highways 11.1 Nighttime Hazards A. Inadequate illumination and blacktop pavements B. Improper use of reflectors C. Pedestrians: A double hazard and a double right D. Rain and fog hazards E. Railroad crossings F. Trucks G. Black versus white tires H. One to four am I. Headlight laws 11.2 Daytime Hazards A. Sun and sky glare B. Atmospheric boil C. Mirage effects D. Camouflage effects E. Rain, mist, snow, and fog Chapter 12: Measurement and Evaluation of Motor Vehicle Lighting: A Systematic Approach 12.1 Preface 12.2 Establishing the Test Range A. Desirable qualities of the test range B. Construction of the test range 12.3 Taking Measurements 12.4 Final Presentation of Data-Profile Plots Chapter 13: Visibility Analysis 1: Introduction 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Step 1: Determine Whether a Direct Sightline Existed 13.3 Step 2: Assess the Target and Background Luminance A. Direct Measurement of Luminance B. Indirect Luminance Determination 13.4 Step 3: Compute the Physical Contrast Of the Target On The Background 10.8 Headlights A. Aim B. Filament shields C. Sleepy eye shields D. Disappearing headlights E. All weather head lighting system 10.9 Signal Visibility A. Front signals B. Rear signals C. Flash rate D. Dirt 10.10 Vehicle Visibility A. Direct Looking B. Viewing Through A Transparent Surface C. Glare Effects D. Atmospheric Effects E. Adverse Weather Effects 13.5 Conclusion Chapter 14: Visibility Analysis 2: Contrast Thresholds 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Step 4: Determine Contrast Threshold A. Using Data And Models B. Adrian Model Variables C. Additional Visual Variables D. Contrast Multipliers 14.3 Alternatives To Contrast Thresholds A. Acuity B. The Twilight Envelope 14.4 Conclusion Chapter 15: Pedestrian Accident Analysis 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Constraints On Pedestrian Avoidance A. Perception-reaction time B. Stopping distance C. Contrast Detection 15.3 Analysis of A Pedestrian Collision A. Basic Analysis B. Sensory and Cognitive Analysis 15.4 Pedestrian Behavior Often Causes An Accident A. Violate Driver Expectation B. Overconfidence C. Distraction D. Drugs and Alcohol E. Child Behavior and Accidents 15.5 Conclusion Chapter 16: Collision Analysis 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Zero-Angle Collisions A. Rear-End Collision B. Head-On Collisions while Overtaking 16.3 Right-Angle Collision A. Judging Time To Arrival B. Peripheral Detection C. Braking and Swerving 16.4 Conclusion Chapter 17: "How Long Does It Take to Stop?": Methodological Analysis of Driver Perception-Brake Times Chapter 18:Visual Analysis of Pictorial Evidence 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Image Fidelity A. Optical Factors B. Photometric Factors C. Display Media D. Image Fidelity Summary 18.3 Psychophysical and Perceptual Fidelity A. Psychophysical Information Not Captured By Pictures B. Viewer and Situational Variables C. Cognitive Variables D. The Psychologist’s Fallacy: The Harmful Effects Of Pictures E. Psychophysical and Perceptual Fidelity Summary 18.4 Conclusion Chapter 19: Forensic Vision Toolkit 19.1 The Practice of Forensic Visibility A. Introduction B. A Hypothetical Case 1C. The Practitioner’s Role 19.2 Questions 448 A. Work/Note Questions You May Be Asked to Answer in Order to Qualify as a Nighttime Visibility Expert B. Questions You May Be Asked Relating to Nighttime Accidents on Cross-Examination 19.3 Nighttime Visibility Expert on Direct Examination A. Hypothetical Case Review and Decision B. Use of Qualified Expert Witness with a Visibility Background 19.4 Suggested List of Documentation Which May Be Needed for Visibility and Human Factors Evaluation Appendix A : Color References Appendix B: Geometric Optics Appendix C: Psychophysical Laws Appendix D: Recommended Sources Appendix E: Cone of Vision Appendix F: Relationship of Visual Angles/Visual Acuity Appendix G:Twelve Things You Should Know About Vision and Accidents