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Washington Finds Computer Simulation Unreliable

Posted by samzenpus on from the the-software-lied dept.

Toadpipe writes "Washington State Court of Appeals reverses a conviction in which a computer simulation had been the main evidence. Quoting 'At issue was PC-Crash, a computer program distributed by Vancouver, B.C.-based MacInnis Engineering Associates. The program recreates traffic collisions using simulations and reconstructions. "PC-Crash had not been validated for the purpose for which the evidence was offered, simulation and prediction of multiple-occupant movement within a vehicle during a multiple-collision accident," the Court of Appeals said in ordering a new trial. "There is no general acceptance in the relevant scientific community of the use of the PC-Crash program for the purposes to which it was put."' Here is the Court's opinion."

9 of 277 comments (clear)

  1. What next? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Are they going to stop accepting my Grand Theft Auto murder re-enactments?

  2. Darn it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    So I can't get a pilot license just for playing with Flight Simulator?

  3. PC Crash? by NJVil · · Score: 5, Funny

    Was this a MicroSoft product by any chance?

  4. In other news by jsrlepage · · Score: 4, Funny

    In other news, the Oval office informs all good citizens of United States that Kyoto computer simulations are no longer valid.

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    This is my opinion. Everyone has a right to my opinion.
    1. Re:In other news by mboverload · · Score: 5, Funny

      Remember children, global warming all made up by evil pinko-commie liberals! Even though the ocean is rising, temperature is increasing, ice thickness is decreasing and computer simulations point to it, thats just plain no good enough! Unless of course it is the bible, so we should just trust that because someone wrote it 2,000 years ago.

  5. PCCrash unreliable? by Claire-plus-plus · · Score: 5, Funny

    My PC crashes quite reliably actually.

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    99 bottles of beer in 175 characte
  6. Verify this by slimak · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can anyone else verify this story for me?

  7. Unexpected... by clem · · Score: 3, Funny

    How odd. My Judicial Appeal Simulator gave no indication that this ruling would occur.

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    Your courageous and selfless spelling corrections have made me a better person.
  8. Actual courtroom events by Centurix · · Score: 5, Funny

    "As you can see from this computer simulation, the driver was in fact distracted by the 20 foot high Blue Screen of Death standing on the opposite corner of the intersection..."

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    Task Mangler