The use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms is growing

Question

The use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms is growing as awareness of their ability to recreate crime scenes spreads. Displays currently in use range from still pictures in series that mimic simple movement to sophisticated simulations based on complex applications of rules of physics and mathematics. By making it possible to slow or stop action, to vary visual perspectives according to witnesses’ vantage points, or to highlight or enlarge images, computer displays provide litigators with tremendous explanatory advantages. Soon, litigators may even have available graphic systems capable of simulating three dimensions, thus creating the illusion that viewers are at the scene of a crime or accident, directly experiencing its occurrence. The advantages of computer-generated displays derive from the greater psychological impact they have on juries as compared to purely verbal presentations; studies show that people generally retain about 85 percent of visual information but only 10 percent of aural information. This is especially valuable in complex or technical trials, where juror interest and comprehension are generally low. In addition, computers also allow litigators to integrate graphic aids seamlessly into their presentations.

Despite these benefits, however, some critics are urging caution in the use of these displays, pointing to a concomitant potential for abuse or unintentional misuse, such as the unfair manipulation of a juror's impression of an event. These critics argue further that the persuasive and richly communicative nature of the displays can mesmerize jurors and cause them to relax their normal critical faculties. This potential for distortion is compounded when one side in a trial does not use the technology—often because of the considerable expense involved—leaving the jury susceptible to prejudice in favor of the side employing computer displays. And aside from the risk of intentional manipulation of images or deceitful use of capacities such as stop-action and highlighting, there is also the possibility that computer displays can be inherently misleading. As an amalgamation of data collection, judgment, and speculation, the displays may in some instances constitute evidence unsuitable for use in a trial.

To avoid misuse of this technology in the courtroom, practical steps must be taken. First, counsel must be alert to the ever-present danger of its misuse; diligent analyses of the data that form the basis for computer displays should be routinely performed and disclosed. Judges, who have the discretion to disallow displays that might unfairly prejudice one side, must also be vigilant in assessing the displays they do allow. Similarly, judges should forewarn jurors of the potentially biased nature of computer-generated evidence. Finally, steps should be taken to ensure that if one side utilizes computer technology, the opposing side will also have access to it. Granting financial aid in these circumstances would help create a more equitable legal arena in this respect.   1  
 A 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) Those involved in court trials that take advantage of computer-generated displays as evidence need to take steps to prevent the misuse of this evidence.
(B) The use of computer-generated displays has grown dramatically in recent years because computer aids allow litigators to convey complex information more clearly.
(C) The persuasive nature of computer-generated displays requires that the rules governing the use of these displays be based on the most sophisticated principles of jurisprudence.
(D) Litigators’ prudent use of computer-generated displays will result in heightened jury comprehension of complex legal issues and thus fairer trials.
(E) Any disadvantages of computer-generated visual displays can be eliminated by enacting a number of practical procedures to avoid their intentional misuse.

2  
 D 
 2. Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the passage?

(A) The popularity of a new technology is lamented; criticisms of the technology are voiced; corrective actions to stem its use are recommended.
(B) A new technology is endorsed; specific examples of its advantages are offered; ways to take further advantage of the technology are presented.
(C) A new technology is presented as problematic; specific problems associated with its use are discussed; alternative uses of the technology are proposed.
(D) A new technology is introduced as useful; potential problems associated with its use are identified; recommendations for preventing these problems are offered.
(E) A new technology is described in detail; arguments for and against its use are voiced; recommendations for promoting the widespread use of the technology are advanced.
 
 3  
 E 
 3. As described in the passage, re-creating an accident with a computer-generated display is most similar to which one of the following?

(A) using several of a crime suspect's statements together to suggest that the suspect had a motive
(B) using an author's original manuscript to correct printing errors in the current edition of her
novel
(C) using information gathered from satellite images to predict the development of a thunderstorm
(D) using a video camera to gather opinions of passersby for use in a candidate's political campaign advertisements
(E) using detailed geological evidence to design a museum exhibit depicting a recent volcanic eruption

4  
 B 
 4. Based on the passage, with which one of the following statements regarding the use of computer displays in courtroom proceedings would the author be most likely to agree?

(A) The courts should suspend the use of stop-action and highlighting techniques until an adequate financial aid program has been established.
(B) Computer-generated evidence should be scrutinized to ensure that it does not rely on excessive speculation in depicting the details of an event.
(C) Actual static photographs of a crime scene are generally more effective as displays than are computer displays.
(D) Verbal accounts by eyewitnesses to crimes should play a more vital role in the presentation of evidence than should computer displays.
(E) Computer displays based on insufficient or inaccurate input of data would not seem realistic and would generally not persuade jurors effectively.

5  
 C 
 5. The author states which one of the following about computer displays used in trial proceedings?

(A) Despite appearances, computer displays offer few practical advantages over conventional forms of evidence.
(B) Most critics of computer-generated evidence argue for banning such evidence in legal proceedings.
(C) Judges should forewarn jurors of the potentially biased nature of computer-generated displays.
(D) Computer displays are used primarily in technical trials, in which jury interest is naturally low.
(E) Litigators who utilize computer-generated displays must ensure that the opposing side has equal access to such technology. 
 
 6  
 E 
 6. The author mentions each of the following as an advantage of using computer displays in courtroom proceedings EXCEPT:

(A) They enable litigators to slow or stop action.
(B) They can aid jurors in understanding complex or technical information.
(C) They make it possible to vary visual perspectives.
(D) They allow litigators to integrate visual materials smoothly into their presentations.
(E) They prevent litigators from engaging in certain kinds of unjustified speculation.

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 49   
 Difficulty Level: Will be updated after 50+ timer attempts

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

Difficulty Level:   Medium

Explanation

We want to tie together the two aspects of the author’s opinion on computer-generated visual displays: her acknowledgment of their  “advantages”  and her advocacy of steps to avoid their misuse in  paragraph 3.  But we don’t want to focus on the potential problems with the displays, since the author makes it clear that the problems are especially important to  “some critics” . Only  (A)  mentions the advantages of computer-generated displays while focusing on the importance of taking steps to prevent the misuse of the displays, and it’s a close paraphrase of the first sentence of  paragraph 3 , which led us to the Main Idea in the first place.

(B)  The author does tell us that the use of computer-generated displays  “is growing” , but there’s no hint that it has  “grown dramatically,”  as  (B)  would have it. Besides that, the author certainly doesn’t focus on the reasons why the use of these displays has grown.

(C)  is a classic half right, half wrong. It starts off well, giving us the author’s reason why computer-generated displays need to be restricted, but then veers off to talk about  “the most sophisticated principles of jurisprudence,”  which are not a part of the passage.

(D)  is a Faulty Use of Detail. It only looks at the positive elements of  paragraph 1 , instead of continuing with the author’s suggestion from  paragraph 3.

(E)  While this choice may have been tempting, it’s really too extreme to be any good. The author never claims that the disadvantages can definitely be eliminated, only that certain steps are necessary to prevent them.

Answer: A

iridescent995 · Answer

Can anyone explain Q1 (why not C)? Thanks

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The passage starts by introducing computer-generated visual displays and talking about their advantages, then the critics come in and talk about potential problems, then the author suggests steps that will help avoid those problems  (D)  matches this.

(A)  The author never  “laments”  the popularity of computer-generated displays.

(B)  We could probably eliminate this choice immediately since the author doesn’t really endorse the new technology in the  first paragraph.  But if her initially positive attitude led you to continue checking through  (B) , the omission of the negative aspects of the new technology should have shown you that the choice was incorrect.

tkorzhan1995 · Answer

Sajjad1994 , for q2, is my understanding correct that the last paragraph is talking about corrective actions to stem use of computerized techniques? If it is not correct, what may be some of the examples of corrective actions to stem use of computerized techniques. I have a hard time to differentiate between A) corrective actions to stem its use vs. B) recommendations to prevent problems.

desertEagle · Answer

Sajjad1994

1. Which one of the following most accurately states the main point of the passage?

(A) Those involved in court trials that take advantage of computer-generated displays as evidence need to take steps to prevent the misuse of this evidence.

(D) Litigators’ prudent use of computer-generated displays will result in heightened jury comprehension of complex legal issues and thus fairer trials.

Option A says computer-generated displays  as evidence  - nowhere is it mentioned that computer generated displays is used as evidence.. also how can a medium be evidence. Computer generated displays are a means to present photos, which are evidence, or animated/visual graphics -- these graphics are not evidence but mechanism to make jurors easily understand the technicalities of the case. How can an explanation be evidence. A murder weapon can be evidence. A document which shows that wrongdoing has happened can be evidence.

Kindly explain where i am going wrong.

IN option D, prudent use covers part covered in third para and rest covers the first para. Why is D wrong then

Sajjad1994 · Answer

(D)  is wrong because it uses faulty detail. It only looks at the  positive elements of paragraph 1 , instead of continuing with the author’s suggestion from  paragraph 3.

anaychauhan · Answer

GMATNinja   sajjad  can you please explain Q5

Matty101 · Answer

In the last paragraph: "   Similarly, judges should forewarn jurors of the potentially biased nature of computer-generated evidence. "

The use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms is growing

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The use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms is growing

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