HISTORY
Precision Simulations, Inc. was started in 1997 in Walnut Creek, CA by PSI Founder and CEO, Craig Fries with the express purpose of bringing rigorous scientific methods to the then new field of Forensic Animation. Mr. Fries was educated in the culture of scientific method thru his early work with NASA during college and later as the Lead Research Assistant at Vision Sciences Research Corporation where he designed and built testing apparatus for FDA clinical trials, ran subjects through the testing and performed all statistical analyses required for final submission of the results to the FDA. During this time Mr. Fries was awarded a patent for his work on Human Functional Vision and FFT analysis of 2-dimensional images. This education continued as he became involved in complex aviation disaster cases plotting trajectories from radar data. At this time a 3D animation product made by Autodesk in nearby San Francisco became available and Craig utilized this software to create a 3D animation of the pilots view immediately prior to losing control of his plane – another first in the field of civil aviation litigation. Seeing the future in 3D visualization, Mr. Fries started his own company – Precision Simulations, Inc. - to continue developing these techniques.
Mr. Fries has the reputation in the industry for “sweating the details” and it is this focus on valid scientific techniques that has allowed PSI to become a internationally recognized pioneer in the fields of Forensic Analysis and Visualization. At PSI we pride ourselves in using the cutting-edge technology in an earnest search for the truth and analysis and conclusions based upon physical evidence and measurement, not conjecture.
In 1998, a small company in San Leandro, CA unveiled a device called a “3D Laser Scanner” and marketed it to the civil engineering field as a superior way to take measurements in the field. On a bright sunny day in the summer of that year, the device was demonstrated to Mr. Fries on the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd and Alpine Rd., and although the technology was in its infancy, Mr. Fries immediately saw its potential and utilized it on a particularly complex line-of-sight case – the First time Laser scanning was used in a Forensic capacity. In 1999, mr. Fries was successful in getting the data, analysis and 3D animation based on laser scanning admitted at trial – another first. Since then PSI has been the preeminent firm in Forensic Laser Scanning and has pioneered many techniques such as Laser-assisted Photogrammetry, the 3D Working Model and Advanced Video Analysis.
In 2010, PSI took another developmental step with the naming of Jason fries, formerly COO at PSI, to the position of President as Craig has taken the title of Chairman & CEO to focus on bringing PSI's technology to the public service and law enforcement communities. Under Jason's tehnical leadership, PSI has added advanced video and HDR photography techniques to create the most compelling and realistic 3D visualizations available.
Now in its, 14th year, PSI has completed over 700 cases and is proud to say that our work has never been excluded at trial during this time.
