Paul W. Jacobs, ACTAR
Sacramento, CA 95815
Office: 916-812-2508
Paul Jacobs is a testifying expert specializing in Daytime & Nighttime Visibility Studies, Photography & Photo Analysis, Videography & Video Analysis, Photogrammetry, 3D Modeling & Animations, and various methods of data capture.
Paul works in collaboration with counsel and subject-matter experts to fairly and accurately reconstruct incidents for fact finding, documentation and evidentiary purposes, and produces demonstratives to aid in the understanding of events.
Visibility Studies & Analysis- Daytime, nighttime and low-light visibility studies using photographic, video and metric data capture of controlled tests to document scene elements impacting visibility such as: lighting, contrast, glare, occlusions, conspicuity and anomalies. Analysis of resulting data and tests.
Photography & Analysis- Technical photography and documentation of scenes, inspections and tests using standard photography and specialized High Dynamic Range, Macro, Composite, Aerial and Rephotography techniques. Post-production of images. Image Analysis of existing photographs to authenticate, determine relevance and track changes over time.
Videography & Analysis- Video capture using static, walking, driving and fly-through platforms to capture dynamic scene elements related to time and motion. Enhancement and analysis of existing video from surveillance, dash, body and phone cameras, or other sources. Time, color, macroblock, hash, frame and pixel level analysis.
Mapping/Modeling- Distance and orientation documentation of elements using manual and technical methods of measurement, including: Scanning, EDM, Total Stations, GNSS (GPS), and terrestrial and aerial photomodeling. 2D and 3D drawings, diagrams and renderings prepared from field measurements
Photogrammetry- Analysis of photographs to determine measurements using manual and computer aided techniques.
Audio - Recording and analysis of sound elements. Enhancement of audio files to aid intelligibility
Dynamic & Vehicle Testing- Collection of data using RADAR, LiDAR, GPS tracking/logging, inertial measurement and force meters.
Paul has worked on cases involving: Accidents (car, truck, tractor trailer, farm machinery and implements of husbandry, bus, cargo, train, vessel, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle), Slip, Trip & Fall, Wrongful Death, Police Shootings, Property Damage, Defamation, Personal Injury, Criminal, Civil Rights, Admiriltry, Railroad, Product Misrepresentation, Construction Defect, Elder Care, Wildland Fire, Structure Fire, Obstructed View, Highway Design, Work Zones, Forgery.
- 3D Laser Scanning
- Accident Reconstruction
- Drones
- Forensic Animation
- Human Factors
- Mapping & Surveying
- Photogrammetry
- Photography
- Video
- Visibility
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: The Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction- ACTAR #4836
State of California Licensed Private Investigator and Qualified Manager- PI187969
Federal Aviation Administration UAS Remote Pilot Certificate- Part 107 #3998940
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Society of Forensic Engineers and Scientists- SFES.us
California Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists- CA2RS.org
National Association of Professional Accident Reconstructionists- NAPARS.org - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Introductory and advanced technical presentations provided to numerous law firms, insurance companies, public and private sector forensic specialists.
- Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No. All credentials and licenses are current and in good standing.
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Hundreds of cases, including all of the following: Accidents (car, truck, tractor trailer, farm machinery and implements of husbandry, bus, cargo, train, vessel, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle), Slip, Trip & Fall, Wrongful Death, Police Shootings, Property Damage, Def-amation, Personal Injury, Criminal, Civil Rights, Maritime, Railroad, Product Misrepresentation, Construction Defect, Elder Care, Wildland Fire, Structure Fire, Obstructed View, Highway Design, Work Zones, Forgery.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Visibility Studies & Analysis- Daytime, nighttime and low-light visibility studies using photographic, video and metric data capture of controlled tests to document scene elements impacting visibility such as: lighting, contrast, glare, occlusions, conspicuity and anomalies. Analysis of resulting data and tests.
Photography & Analysis- Technical photography and documentation of scenes, inspections and tests using standard photography and specialized High Dynamic Range, Macro, Composite, Aerial and Rephotography techniques. Post-production of images. Image Analysis of existing photographs to authenticate, determine relevance and track changes over time.
Videography & Analysis- Video capture using static, walking, driving and fly-through platforms to capture dynamic scene elements related to time and motion. Enhancement and analysis of existing video from surveillance, dash, body and phone cameras, or other sources. Time, color, macroblock, hash, frame and pixel level analysis.
Mapping/Modeling- Distance and orientation documentation of elements using manual and technical methods of measurement, including: Scanning, EDM, Total Stations, GNSS (GPS), and terrestrial and aerial photomodeling. 2D and 3D drawings, diagrams and renderings prepared from field measurements
Photogrammetry- Analysis of photographs to determine measurements using manual and computer aided techniques.
Audio - Recording and analysis of sound elements. Enhancement of audio files to aid intelligibility
Dynamic & Vehicle Testing- Collection of data using RADAR, LiDAR, GPS tracking/logging, inertial measurement and force meters. - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 50
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 50
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: Dozens.
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 15
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Consulting, testing, inspections, reports, rebuttal.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: FREE initial consultation. If I am unable to assist you with a case, I will let you know right away. I am always willing to have a quick phone call, check conflicts and talk through a case.
I DO NOT WORK FOR PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS. IF YOU HAVE A CASE AND WOULD LIKE MY ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FIRST, THEN HAVE THEM CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.
Available Upon Request