Meteorological Forensic Investigation
Forensic meteorology is the application of atmospheric science to
legal cases, criminal investigations, and insurance claims to help
determine the root causes of incidents and accidents in which
weather may have been a contributing factor. Meteorology is an
interdisciplinary science atthe intersection of physics and chemistry
involving the dynamics of the atmosphere from the surface of the earth to the near-space environment. The ability to conduct an effective meteorological forensic investigation requires a technical expert with substantial education, training and experience.
Meteorological forensic investigations involve authoritative assessment of the past occurrence and effects of weather-related phenomena including snow, ice, freezing conditions, frost, dew, lightning, rain, flooding, hail, reduced visibilities, high winds, drought, flooding, heat waves, fog, storm surge, smoke, severe storms, hurricanes and tornadoes. WeatherSleuth's rigorous process was developed through many years of experience in scientific research and investigative problem solving.
Do you need important weather information to justify a legal case or validate an insurance claim? WeatherSleuth's professional forensic meteorologists can assist investigators, attorneys and claims adjustors by obtaining, analyzing and interpreting appropriate historical weather data. If necessary, WeatherSleuth will conduct a site survey at the location of the loss, injury or other incident as part of the investigation. Throughout an investigation, a WeatherSleuth expert will be available to provide verbal briefings and other, informal updates. Following research and analysis, we will generate a formal, site-specific written report. A Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) from WeatherSleuth LLC can provide depositions as well as credible, expert testimony in support of litigation.
Forensic Weather Products and Services
Examples of Typical Weather Investigations
Forensic meteorology is the application of atmospheric science to
legal cases, criminal investigations, and insurance claims to help
determine the root causes of incidents and accidents in which
weather may have been a contributing factor. Meteorology is an
interdisciplinary science atthe intersection of physics and chemistry
involving the dynamics of the atmosphere from the surface of the earth to the near-space environment. The ability to conduct an effective meteorological forensic investigation requires a technical expert with substantial education, training and experience.
Meteorological forensic investigations involve authoritative assessment of the past occurrence and effects of weather-related phenomena including snow, ice, freezing conditions, frost, dew, lightning, rain, flooding, hail, reduced visibilities, high winds, drought, flooding, heat waves, fog, storm surge, smoke, severe storms, hurricanes and tornadoes. WeatherSleuth's rigorous process was developed through many years of experience in scientific research and investigative problem solving.
Do you need important weather information to justify a legal case or validate an insurance claim? WeatherSleuth's professional forensic meteorologists can assist investigators, attorneys and claims adjustors by obtaining, analyzing and interpreting appropriate historical weather data. If necessary, WeatherSleuth will conduct a site survey at the location of the loss, injury or other incident as part of the investigation. Throughout an investigation, a WeatherSleuth expert will be available to provide verbal briefings and other, informal updates. Following research and analysis, we will generate a formal, site-specific written report. A Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) from WeatherSleuth LLC can provide depositions as well as credible, expert testimony in support of litigation.
Forensic Weather Products and Services
- Detailed, authoritative written reports
- Acquisition of certified weather data
- Support to arbitration and regulatory hearings
- Validation of third-party weather information
- Detailed weather event reconstruction
- Analysis of official public forecasts, watches and warnings
- Certified historical weather reports
- Custom courtroom exhibit preparation (graphs, tables, charts, maps, animation)
- Expert testimony
- Depositions
Examples of Typical Weather Investigations
- Temperature history reconstruction to refine a time of death estimate
- Snow/ice loading estimates for to roof failure/collapse incidents
- Snow accumulation verification including certified snowfall totals
- Road/pavement conditions for vehicle accident reconstruction
- Flight conditions for aviation accident reconstruction
- Surface and atmospheric conditions at the time/location of a slip & fall
- Flood conditions (flash floods, storm surge, etc.)
- Lightning strike analysis
- Rainfall rate, timing and total accumulation
- Sunshine illumination/glare analysis (angle, brightness, reflection, glare, etc.)
- Moon illumination and sky condition to determine ambient nighttime light levels
- Extreme heat (e.g., heat stroke) and cold (hypothermia, frost bite) thermal analysis
- Storm analysis (hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, tornado) including hail, wind effects on property or agricultural crops
- Visibility restrictions due to fog, smoke or heavy precipitation
- Weather analysis to assist with homicide investigations
- Space weather event analysis for root cause analysis of power grid events
- Presence/absence of frost or freezing conditions