Forensic Engineer | What We Do, How We Help

Forensic engineering is the application of science and engineering principles used in the investigation of failures including fire cause and origin, more specifically, the failure of a machine, component, material, or structure.

Generally, the purpose of forensic engineering investigation is to locate the cause (or causes) of a failure and to assist a court–plaintiff or defendant–in determining the facts regarding the accident or failed component. Additionally, forensic engineering can also be used in the investigation of claims. In the United States, forensic engineers require a professional engineering license.

Forensic Engineering | Expert Witness

As the field of engineering has evolved over time, so has the field of forensic engineering. One of the first forensic investigations occurred in 1879 when the Tay Bridge, located in Dundee Scotland, collapsed as a Northern British Railway passenger train passed over it while traveling from Burntisland to Dundee. A court inquiry occurred, where the railway, the bridge's contractor and the designer had separate legal representation. The railway sought independent advice from two engineers with extensive experience in the design and construction of major cast iron structures. Legal proceedings occurred with testimony and the forensic expert witness was first introduced.

Modern Forensic Engineering

Modern forensic engineering investigations really progressed when the walkway at the two suspended walkways above the lobby area fell killing 114 people and injuring 216. The collapse was the result of the builder not following the engineering design for the connections supporting the fourth-floor walkway ceiling rods. The failed connection resulted in a wide range of insurance claims, legal investigations, and city government reforms. At the time, it was the most devastating structural failure in the United States in terms of loss of life, injuries, and financial costs. A wide range of mechanical, civil, and metallurgical engineers were involved in the failure analysis and the modern forensic engineer was coined.

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In modern forensic engineering, investigation and analysis are vital in figuring out what transpired. After an incident occurs, the forensic engineer begins the process of investigating and collecting data related to the incident. Materials, products, structures, or components that failed are collected as evidence in accordance with NFPA 921 "Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations", which is a peer reviewed document that is published by the National Fire Protection Association.

These investigations involve:

• inspections
• collecting evidence
• measurements
• developing models
• obtaining exemplar products
• perform experiments

Testing and measurements are to be conducted in an independent testing laboratory.

How We Do It

There are many methods used by forensic engineers to analyze failures. For example, root cause analysis (RCA) is one of the primary methods of problem solving used in determining the cause of a failure and is widely accepted as a reliable science in the United States Court System. RCA is used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems to identify relevant solutions and is widely accepted as a form of deductive inference as it requires an understanding of the underlying causal mechanisms of the potential root causes and the problem.

Forensic engineering makes extensive use of most modern-day equipment:

• Optical and scanning electron microscopes.
• ‍Spectroscopy (infrared, ultraviolet, and nuclear magnetic resonance) are used to examine critical evidence.‍
• Radiography using X-rays (such as X-ray computed tomography), or neutrons are also very useful in examining thick products for their internal defects before destructive testing is attempted.

Forensic engineers are well known for their roles in product liability cases, in which they may act as expert witnesses. Here they interpret physical evidence using their specific knowledge of engineering and testify to the facts based on their education and experience.

TL;DR

Forensic engineering plays a crucial role in determining the cause of failures and accidents involving machines, components, materials, or structures. Forensic engineers are trained professionals who apply scientific and engineering principles to investigate and identify the cause of failures. Their findings can be used in legal proceedings to help determine liability and provide justice for those affected by the failure. As the field of engineering continues to evolve, so too will the field of forensic engineering, ensuring that the truth behind accidents and failures can be uncovered and justice can be served.

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