SCA Board Member and 2007 Golf Tournament Chair, Chris Yaw, of Calison Plumbing.

Board member Chris Yaw, and SCA's new Secretary, Kelly Szymulewski, announced the 50/50 Raffle winner, and drew cards for door prizes.

Danell Cassetta wins the 50/50 Raffle at the March luncheon meeting.

Mapping the human brain.

Lisa Schwichtenberg, of Belfor, with Cathrin Nevin, of Sams and Assoc. Insurance Services.

Thanks to ALL Our March Door Prize Contributors
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ServiceMaster

March 8 SCA luncheon
By Bryan Harrison

Computer technological advancements have gone crazy, everybody knows. The vast array of applications seems limitless. However, it really all still comes down to the old adage “garbage in-garbage out”.

Craig Fries, of Precision Simulations, Inc., operates his work on a higher plane of precision. From the ability to basically super-scan the site of accident or incident, to the rendering and calculations that have to go into recreating every detail, every blade of grass, the team and computers at PSI are able to do amazing things.

PSI does very high-end accident simulation reconstruction. Fries spoke at the March 8, 2007 Sacramento Claims luncheon meeting, giving an incredibly fascinating presentation on the use and application of this technology. He included slides and video animation of event and site recreation, illustrating very effectively how valuable this technology really is.

It was yet another hoppin’ Sacramento Claims luncheon meeting. Folks from Kemper turned out big time, and lots of new faces in the crowd. Even with several regulars not in attendance, the place was packed.

President Art Coussoulis took a few minutes to get some feedback from the crowd as to the venue and such. The response was almost entirely favorable. He did also make a point to request strongly that people get their reservations in, so pulling out extra tables at the last minute doesn’t slow things down, or create logistical problems.

He also introduced CCNC President for 2007, Jon Aronson. Jon announced progress on the upcoming fourteenth annual Claims Conference this September. Back at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sacramento. The planning committee is already at it to take the popular conference to another level. The 2007 theme is “Bridging The Industry”. Should be a good one. www.ClaimsConference.org.

Craig Fries then walked the crowd through stages of technological development of this simulation recreation process. Utilizing the latest laster scanning devise, which works at a clip of some 1200 scans per second, the laser captures exact images and exact measurements, for “incredibly accurate models”. This technology is useful for static images only. It does not record motion well. The computer program is able to erase moving images (e.g.: cars, etc.) from the rendering process.

“Once the scan is done, we never have to return to the scene for more measurements,” Mr. Fries explained. “You’ve got all of it.”

Experts provide all the data, then the computer builds the recreation of the incident.

First admitted seven years ago in a Honolulu, HI court case, the technology has advanced significantly since. In 2004, Laser-assisted photogrametry was put to use. Photogrametry maps every measurement and dimension of a scene. Video Sequence Analysis was introduced in 2006, adding a new level to sequence of events simulation and recreation.

“Explaining an accident is like explain a sunset,” Fries said. “I have to show you.” Computer simulation delivers just that.

Damon Conn, of DMA Housing Assistants, and Tami Umland, with ServiceMaster.	3D Laser Scanning Technology sample slide.

Belfor, Tom McGyver of CRDN; Kevin Lahey, of Belfor Sacramento Valley, and Bob Tucknott, of Tucknott Electric Co.	Cat wins one of numerous Starbucks gift cards.

SCA President Art Coussoulis with guest speaker Craig Fries, of Precision Simulation, Inc. Mr. Fries' presentation was most fascinating. The technology used to recreate with, as their name states, "precision" is astounding.

SCA Pres. Art Coussoulis, of CSAA, welcomed the crowd and solicited feedback on the venue, parking, etc. at the March luncheon. Feedback was mostly favorable.

SCA President Art Coussouis called on Jon Aronson, 2007 President of the Claims Conference of N. Calif. to discuss progress on this year's event. ClaimsConference.org.

3D Laser Scanning Technology builds before rendering.

Mapping every detail of these cars allowed investigators to place them exactly where they actually were when the incident at hand occurred.

Bob Tucknott, Tucknott Electric Co., and Jessica, with ServPro .