Litigation Support Case: GIS Makes the Case
CASE: GIS Makes the Case
TASK: Use of GIS to Support Litigation Case
LOCATION: New Jersey
- Managed technical information obtained during document review
- Evaluated and assess contaminant sources and concentrations
- Developed case strategy
- Presented complex technical information clearly and concisely as a demonstrative
Geographic Information System (GIS) technology allows information to be managed, analyzed, and then presented on easily understood maps. The maps are dynamic, as they link to the underlying information, and can easily be changed on the fly to present new perspectives on an issue.
In a recent case, maps prepared using GIS were critical in supporting our expert opinion regarding the source of groundwater contamination at a gasoline service station site in New Jersey. The case involved a dispute between the property owner and former service station
operator on the source and timing of a release of gasoline related contaminants. Two sets of underground storage tanks existed on the property. One set was more than 40 years old and was reported to have been in poor shape when removed from the property in 1994. The other set of tanks was considerably younger at 16 years old and was reported to be in good condition upon removal. A single continuous plume of groundwater contamination existed in the locations of both sets of tanks, making the identification of the specific source of contamination challenging.
Despite their reported tank conditions, our expert opinion was that the source of the contamination was actually the younger set of tanks. This opinion was based on the distribution of specific contaminants in the soil and groundwater. By augmenting our testimony with GIS-produced maps, which illustrated the contaminant concentrations and gradients, we were able to assist in convincing the judge on the merits on our opinion and obtain a favorable decision for our client.
