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Topics of interest to forensic engineers are discussed, including a wide range of technical issues, practice tips, questions and answers regarding actual real life situations.
Forensic engineers are licensed professionals who analyze the causes of accidents and failures, and provide expert testimony in court or other dispute resolution processes. They may also perform accident reconstructions, prepare reports, and provide evaluations.
Forensic engineers use their expertise and analytical skills to examine evidence, reconstruct events, and determine root causes of problems. They can help prevent future failures, improve safety and performance, and provide legal support and expert testimony. Forensic science can be rewarding because it contributes objective, precise information to the criminal justice system.
Forensic engineering has been defined as "the investigation of failures—ranging from serviceability to catastrophic—which may lead to legal activity, including both civil and criminal".[1] The forensic engineering field is very broad in terms of the many disciplines that it covers, investigations that use forensic engineering are case of environmental damages to structures, system failures of machines, explosions, electrical, fire point of origin, vehicle failures and many more.[2][1]
It includes the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury, damage to property or economic loss. The consequences of failure may give rise to action under either criminal or civil law including but not limited to health and safety legislation, the laws of contract and/or product liability and the laws of tort. The field also deals with retracing processes and procedures leading to accidents in operation of vehicles or machinery. Generally, the purpose of a forensic engineering investigation is to locate cause or causes of failure with a view to improve performance or life of a component, or to assist a court in determining the facts of an accident. It can also involve investigation of intellectual property claims, especially patents. In the US, forensic engineers require a professional engineering license from each state.
It includes the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury, damage to property or economic loss. The consequences of failure may give rise to action under either criminal or civil law including but not limited to health and safety legislation, the laws of contract and/or product liability and the laws of tort. The field also deals with retracing processes and procedures leading to accidents in operation of vehicles or machinery. Generally, the purpose of a forensic engineering investigation is to locate cause or causes of failure with a view to improve performance or life of a component, or to assist a court in determining the facts of an accident. It can also involve investigation of intellectual property claims, especially patents. In the US, forensic engineers require a professional engineering license from each state.
One of the most common applications of forensic engineering is in decoding product liability. Claimants (plaintiffs) and defendants both rely on expert testimony to establish a chain of events and apportion fault.
A few different examples of forensic engineers being called to investigate an accident are:
A concert stage collapsing and crushing a person underneath before the show
An electric kettle experiencing an electrical failure and causing burns to the owner
A bridge collapsing under the weight of snow and ice despite being deemed safe.
A few different examples of forensic engineers being called to investigate an accident are:
A concert stage collapsing and crushing a person underneath before the show
An electric kettle experiencing an electrical failure and causing burns to the owner
A bridge collapsing under the weight of snow and ice despite being deemed safe.
There are many types of forensic engineers, including electrical, fire, materials, structural, mechanical, and polymer engineers. Each type specializes in a different area, such as electrical failures, destructive fires, or material defects.
Product manufacturers
Builders and contractors
Insurance companies
Underwriters
Banks and financial institutions
Auditors
Lawyers and law firms
Government investigators
Project consultants
Builders and contractors
Insurance companies
Underwriters
Banks and financial institutions
Auditors
Lawyers and law firms
Government investigators
Project consultants
Forensic engineers are careful and detailed in their investigations and reports, which are often used as evidence in court cases. They may supplement written reports with illustrations, models, or computer animations.
Forensic engineers must be objective and truthful in their reports, statements, and testimony. They should include all relevant information and date their work to indicate when it was current.
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