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Preparing meteorological data for court cases
Presented by
Dr Harvey SternAustralian Bureau of Meteorology
Thursday 19 October6pm for 6.30pm start
Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre,
Forensic Drive, Macleod
The Victorian Branch of theAustralian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society
(ANZFSS)
Preparing Meteorological Preparing Meteorological Data for Court Cases Data for Court Cases
Harvey SternHarvey Stern
Victorian Regional OfficeVictorian Regional OfficeBureau of MeteorologyBureau of Meteorology
Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:Neal Moodie (metadata); Neal Moodie (metadata);
John Cornall-Reilly; Tim Forster; Trish McBride; Chris Kelly.John Cornall-Reilly; Tim Forster; Trish McBride; Chris Kelly.
Presentation Presentation
1.1. DefinitionDefinition2.2. IntroductionIntroduction3.3. Processing (Certified Extracts)Processing (Certified Extracts)4.4. Illustrative ExamplesIllustrative Examples5.5. METADATA applicationsMETADATA applications6.6. Concluding remarksConcluding remarks
Definition Definition Meteorology … is … used by forensic investigators, lawyers, and Meteorology … is … used by forensic investigators, lawyers, and prosecutors to look for specific information to be used in court when prosecutors to look for specific information to be used in court when climate conditions are of relevance in explaining an eventclimate conditions are of relevance in explaining an event
… … Meteorologists may be requested by courts or by companies to Meteorologists may be requested by courts or by companies to give information necessary for reconstructing ship or airplane give information necessary for reconstructing ship or airplane accidents, or on wind chills affecting outdoor workers, or to present a accidents, or on wind chills affecting outdoor workers, or to present a detailed weather reconstruction for a given area on a particular day. detailed weather reconstruction for a given area on a particular day.
Meteorologists are sometimes requested to explain events Meteorologists are sometimes requested to explain events associated with air pollution and airborne spread of dangerous associated with air pollution and airborne spread of dangerous substances, or to clarify whether a given meteorological event is substances, or to clarify whether a given meteorological event is abnormal or expected in a certain region and period of the...abnormal or expected in a certain region and period of the...
"Meteorology." "Meteorology." World of Forensic ScienceWorld of Forensic Science. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Thomson Gale, 2006. . Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Thomson Gale, 2006. eNotes.comeNotes.com. 2006. 10 Oct, 2006 http://science.enotes.com/forensic-science/. 2006. 10 Oct, 2006 http://science.enotes.com/forensic-science/meteorologymeteorology
Introduction Introduction We usually receive requests for certified extracts {or data or We usually receive requests for certified extracts {or data or
statement or opinion} – we suggest certification in all cases, via: statement or opinion} – we suggest certification in all cases, via: 1.1. Mail. Mail. 2.2. Telephone. Telephone. 3.3. Email. Email.
In all instances, the first step is to contact the person making the In all instances, the first step is to contact the person making the request in order to clarify exactly what is required. If no file request in order to clarify exactly what is required. If no file reference and/or postal address has been provided by the client, reference and/or postal address has been provided by the client, it is necessary to obtain one from him/her. it is necessary to obtain one from him/her.
Certifiable DataCertifiable DataOnly data from the Bureau's official data bases may be certified. Only data from the Bureau's official data bases may be certified.
Expert KnowledgeExpert Knowledge
Sometimes, a client may desire an analysis to be carried out, or an Sometimes, a client may desire an analysis to be carried out, or an opinion given about the data provided. In such circumstances, opinion given about the data provided. In such circumstances, the results of such an analysis of the data and/or the opinion the results of such an analysis of the data and/or the opinion should appear in the covering letter. should appear in the covering letter.
Analyses and/or opinion come under the area of "expert" knowledge. Analyses and/or opinion come under the area of "expert" knowledge. If given, they would likely result in the author of the analysis If given, they would likely result in the author of the analysis and/or opinion attending court as an expert witness and/or sign and/or opinion attending court as an expert witness and/or sign a witness statement. a witness statement.
Signing Certified ExtractsSigning Certified Extracts
Certified extracts are usually signed by the Senior Meteorologist Certified extracts are usually signed by the Senior Meteorologist (Climate and Consultancy) (SMCC) "for Regional Director, (Climate and Consultancy) (SMCC) "for Regional Director, Victoria". In the event that SMCC is unavailable for signing a Victoria". In the event that SMCC is unavailable for signing a certified extract, the Regional Director may sign such certified extract, the Regional Director may sign such documents. documents.
Processing … Processing …
EVIDENCE ACT 1995 No. 2 of 1995 – SECTION 155
CERTIFIED EXTRACT FROM THEOFFICIAL METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS OF THECOMMONWEALTH BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
Appendix 1 shows the official three hourly precipitation observations as recorded by the Bureau’s cooperative observer at Wonthaggi 86217 from 3am EST on Saturday 20th April 2002 to 9:00pm EST on Saturday 27th April 2002. Appendix 2 shows the official observations of precipitation for 24 hours ending 9am daily as recorded by the Bureau’s cooperative observer at Wonthaggi 86217 from Saturday 20 th April 2002 to Saturday 27th April 2002. I, HARVEY STERN, meteorologist in charge of the Climate and Consultancy Section of the Victorian Regional Office of the Bureau of Meteorology, MELBOURNE, HEREBY CERTIFY that this document consisting of 3 pages is a true extract from the meteorological observations’ database, of which the said databases are one of the official meteorological records of the Commonwealth of Australia Australian Data Archive for Meteorology, AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that I am the Officer to whose custody the said records are entrusted. SIGNED by the said HARVEY STERN at Melbourne this 11th day of October 2006. (Harvey Stern)For Regional Director (Victoria)11th October 2006Ph: 9669 4949
RequestReceived
Is it a CE?
Clarify by phone
Search forsites
Dataavailable?
AWS? Extract DataCheck data
QC flags
Was instrument in calibration?
Process for Preparing Certified Extracts
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Produce CEdocument
•Price
•What they need
•What we can offer
•Delivery date
•Payment process
Yes
Get CE checked
Get CEsigned
Send to clientArchive
Pass QC
Failed QC check
From alawyer, Police,
Court case,etc.
Completeness> 90%?
QC=
Quality
Control
Receive Request for Certified ExtractReceive Request for Certified Extract
Read Request details received by email, post or Read Request details received by email, post or fax.fax.
What to look for?What to look for? Postal address. Postal address. Reference (File) number, or similar, from them. Reference (File) number, or similar, from them. Check:Check: Date, time, location and description of Date, time, location and description of
event. event. Date due. Date due. Check:Check: If the If the
request for a Certified was posted, ensure there request for a Certified was posted, ensure there is not a faxed copy already being processed is not a faxed copy already being processed here. (Saves doubling up) here. (Saves doubling up)
Processing (cont.) … Processing (cont.) …
Ring customer by phone to clarify detailsRing customer by phone to clarify details Obtain any details missing from above. Obtain any details missing from above. Confirm Court date (Confirm Court date (for deadlinefor deadline), cost & ), cost &
method of payment. method of payment. Advise what we can supply (data elements & Advise what we can supply (data elements &
resolution). resolution). Be aware of limitations of what can be certified Be aware of limitations of what can be certified
or not. or not. Confirm that the weekday for the date supplied Confirm that the weekday for the date supplied
is correct. (Just in case the customer has made is correct. (Just in case the customer has made a mistake with their request date) a mistake with their request date)
Why do they need weather data? (Help you Why do they need weather data? (Help you supply the appropriate data for their purposes – supply the appropriate data for their purposes – establish units required) establish units required)
Advise statement is prepared as per the Advise statement is prepared as per the FEDERAL Evidence Act 1995, No2 of 1995, FEDERAL Evidence Act 1995, No2 of 1995, Section 155.Section 155.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Develop a data presentation planDevelop a data presentation plan (maybe in association with other Sections – e.g (maybe in association with other Sections – e.g
Hydro). Hydro). Sometimes, a client may desire an analysis to be Sometimes, a client may desire an analysis to be
carried out, or an opinion given about the data carried out, or an opinion given about the data provided. In such circumstances, the results of provided. In such circumstances, the results of such an analysis of the data and/or the opinion such an analysis of the data and/or the opinion should appear in the covering letter. should appear in the covering letter.
Analyses and/or opinion come under the area of Analyses and/or opinion come under the area of "expert" knowledge. If given, they would likely "expert" knowledge. If given, they would likely result in the author of the analysis and/or result in the author of the analysis and/or opinion attending court as an expert witness opinion attending court as an expert witness and/or sign a witness statement. and/or sign a witness statement.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Search for sites using Search for sites using TCZTCZ Sitefinder Sitefinder::The Aim is to provide:The Aim is to provide: Nearest or most representative station with Nearest or most representative station with
required element. required element. Only data from the Bureau's official data bases Only data from the Bureau's official data bases
may be certified. may be certified. Data from other authorities {Government Data from other authorities {Government
astronomer, EPA, Melbourne Water}: Could be astronomer, EPA, Melbourne Water}: Could be included on an attachment (suggest client included on an attachment (suggest client contact other authority for certification).contact other authority for certification).
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Only select sites that meet the following criteria:Only select sites that meet the following criteria: Check:Check: Is data >90% complete. Is data >90% complete. Check:Check: Low instances of accumulated values. Low instances of accumulated values. Check:Check: Has been quality controlled and doesn't Has been quality controlled and doesn't
have, wrong or low quality values, eg. High/Low have, wrong or low quality values, eg. High/Low values, spikes or missing data. values, spikes or missing data.
Check:Check: If site is an AWS, check the calibration If site is an AWS, check the calibration history from history from SitedbSitedb. .
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Extract Data from EVE, Extract Data from EVE, TCZTCZ or or AIFSAIFS::Consider the following special circumstances:Consider the following special circumstances: "Derived" data or "Forecasts/warnings" should "Derived" data or "Forecasts/warnings" should
be presented as "Attachments". be presented as "Attachments". Consider providing a short period each side of Consider providing a short period each side of
requested requested period; e.g. an hour each side of requested periperiod; e.g. an hour each side of requested period of time, or an issue of forecast each side of od of time, or an issue of forecast each side of what is requested. what is requested.
Format DataFormat Data Check: Check: Clearly understood labelling of weather Clearly understood labelling of weather
variables. Station Number of data supplied is variables. Station Number of data supplied is indicated. indicated.
Check:Check:Use local times and include days of the Use local times and include days of the week. week.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …ForecastsForecasts Locate required forecast from web archive. Locate required forecast from web archive. Copy text of required forecast from webpage, Copy text of required forecast from webpage,
which becomes an Attachment. which becomes an Attachment. Producing the CE documents Producing the CE documents CE computer files are saved.CE computer files are saved.Select next available file number from certifieds’ Select next available file number from certifieds’
directory and save . Name the file with that file directory and save . Name the file with that file number and include the client's number and include the client's name for ease of reference etc.name for ease of reference etc.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Covering Letter should include synopsis of:Covering Letter should include synopsis of: Stations supplied, e.g. Melbourne Airport 86282 Stations supplied, e.g. Melbourne Airport 86282 Why the site(s) were chosen. i.e. Distance of Why the site(s) were chosen. i.e. Distance of
4km from requested location, etc. (keep all 4km from requested location, etc. (keep all distances to rounded km, we cannot be more distances to rounded km, we cannot be more precise with our search facility) precise with our search facility)
Reason a site was not used. e.g. Site 86071 Reason a site was not used. e.g. Site 86071 was not chosen because it did not meet quality was not chosen because it did not meet quality checks, calibration checks, or wind is not checks, calibration checks, or wind is not representative of the area, etc. representative of the area, etc.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) … Date supplied Date supplied Check:Check: Include in covering letter descriptions of Include in covering letter descriptions of
included data and how observed or obtained, included data and how observed or obtained, And explanations of Meteorological terminologyAnd explanations of Meteorological terminology
. . Add in extra paragraphs for any additional data Add in extra paragraphs for any additional data
sources supplied (ie. forecasts, maps, etc). sources supplied (ie. forecasts, maps, etc). Label them as Attachments. Label them as Attachments.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Actual Certified LetterActual Certified Letter Copy paragraph from covering Letter, Copy paragraph from covering Letter,
explaining data supplied, into 1st paragraph of explaining data supplied, into 1st paragraph of certificate and also paste into Appendix 1 on certificate and also paste into Appendix 1 on the following page. the following page.
Copy the data from the prepared Excel file and Copy the data from the prepared Excel file and paste below the paragraph for Appendix 1. (A paste below the paragraph for Appendix 1. (A table of data will appear on the page) table of data will appear on the page)
Highlight the table. Highlight the table.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) … For long tables, you may need to re-format the For long tables, you may need to re-format the
table of data in Excel to include headings at the table of data in Excel to include headings at the appropriate intervals. appropriate intervals.
Change dates of preparation below signature Change dates of preparation below signature area. area.
Record KeepingRecord Keeping Original sent to client. Original sent to client. CCS CE folder:CCS CE folder: Copy of full document and include the Copy of full document and include the original request and any other original request and any other data or info used in preparation, for our data or info used in preparation, for our
records. records. CostCost: Standard Certified $110, but higher for : Standard Certified $110, but higher for
complex requests and urgent requests. complex requests and urgent requests.
Processing (cont.) …Processing (cont.) …Check Certified Extract (CE)Check Certified Extract (CE) Someone other than the person who prepared the Someone other than the person who prepared the
document should sign "Checked by". document should sign "Checked by". Check:Check: Continuity of observations, correct conflicting Continuity of observations, correct conflicting
data, inappropriate data supplied for requested data, inappropriate data supplied for requested purposes, typographical errors, dates, etc.purposes, typographical errors, dates, etc.
Sign CESign CECertified extracts are usually signed by the Senior Certified extracts are usually signed by the Senior
Meteorologist (Climate and Consultancy) "for Regional Meteorologist (Climate and Consultancy) "for Regional Director, Victoria". Director, Victoria".
Send CESend CE By Normal Post, if not urgent (may be faxed prior). By Normal Post, if not urgent (may be faxed prior). By email as pdf, if urgent (post original) – note urgency By email as pdf, if urgent (post original) – note urgency
fee. fee. By courier if necessaryBy courier if necessary. .
Observations (manual or automated)Observations (manual or automated) Sea State, Swell (water police)Sea State, Swell (water police) Special clothingSpecial clothing Children / pets in cars on hot days (or) left Children / pets in cars on hot days (or) left
in exposed situation in cold weatherin exposed situation in cold weather RSPCARSPCA Fires (sparks from a train?)Fires (sparks from a train?) Fire ban days (arson/carelessness)Fire ban days (arson/carelessness) Trees falling on campers (wind speed)Trees falling on campers (wind speed)
Illustrative ExamplesIllustrative Examples
Illustrative Examples (cont.)Illustrative Examples (cont.) Strategy to “put off” the other party, Strategy to “put off” the other party,
when they hear Bureau will attend when they hear Bureau will attend Dew (observations)Dew (observations) Slipping (3Slipping (3rdrd party Insurance Claims) party Insurance Claims) Pong SuPong Su Expert witness statementsExpert witness statements Fixing time of death Fixing time of death Witness vs weather conditions Witness vs weather conditions
(credibility)(credibility)
Illustrative Examples (cont.)Illustrative Examples (cont.) Car accidentsCar accidents Cloud typesCloud types Weather phenomena e.g fog, frost, Weather phenomena e.g fog, frost,
(black) frost(black) frost Completeness of recordCompleteness of record Data sparse regionsData sparse regions ForecastsForecasts Validating witness/suspect statementsValidating witness/suspect statements
Illustrative Examples (cont.)Illustrative Examples (cont.) Linton firesLinton fires Sydney to Hobart Yacht RaceSydney to Hobart Yacht Race Sydney hailstormSydney hailstorm Observations via electronic measureObservations via electronic measure Snowboarders (lost in snow) – rain vs Snowboarders (lost in snow) – rain vs
snow (AWS)snow (AWS) Thredbo – landslide (prepared data and Thredbo – landslide (prepared data and
then outside consultants were involved) then outside consultants were involved)
LORD HOWE ISLAND - DIURNAL TEMPERATURE RANGE
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Year
Diu
rnal
Tem
per
atu
re R
ang
e (d
egC
)METADATA ApplicationMETADATA Application
Ulladulla in 2001
Site Surroundings Metadata may explain inconsistencies in the data
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Ulladulla in 2002
Where did those bushes go?
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Ulladaulla 69138, Annual Max. Temp
18.5
19
19.5
20
20.5
21
21.5
22
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Shrubs removed in July 2002
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Instrument Metadata may explain inhomogeneties in data
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Monthly rainfall over 2004, Newcastle
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rai
nfa
ll (
mm
)
Newcastle Nobbys
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Basic Level Metadata for rainfall instrument
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Medium Level Metadata for rainfall instrument
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
Monthly rainfall over 2004, Newcastle
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rai
nfa
ll (
mm
)
Newcastle Nobbys average of surrounding sites
METADATA Application (cont.) …METADATA Application (cont.) …
We undertake many checks and We undertake many checks and balances; and, balances; and,
We are thorough with our data-quality We are thorough with our data-quality assessment.assessment.
Contact by email: [email protected] by email: [email protected]
Contact by phone: Contact by phone: 9669495696694956
Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
Any Questions?Any Questions?
