Forensics Engineering may best be described as the application of engineering principles as applied to the law, including, but not limited to, the determination of the cause of failures of mechanical, electrical, and structural components. Quite simply, forensics engineering can best be described as the utilization of mathematics, science, and engineering principles in the performance of a component failure investigation. While engineering is primarily tasked with designing, fabricating, and assembling mechanical, electrical, and structural components that will result in sound designs that will operate safely (through the minimization of risks associated with clearly defined failure modes), failures can never be totally eliminated. The incorporation of national consensus Codes and standards in the conjunction with product testing and analytical simulations reduce the risk of failures, however, even the best designs can still falter with improper use.
Examples of instances when a forensics engineering evaluation may be necessitated include a building collapse resulting in the death and injuries of its occupants or where a critical automotive safety feature fails to protect its occupants during a collision. In these instances, a forensics engineer may be employed by a legal professional or insurance loss specialist to determine the causes of failure and to provide expert opinions as to who may have been ultimately responsible for the subject loss.
The duties of forensic engineers can be divided into two parts: investigation and engineering opinions related to the alleged cause of failures. Investigatory skills are needed soon after a mechanical, electrical, or structural component fails. In the cases of catastrophic structural collapse causing death, injury, and destruction or failed experiments, forensic engineers work with law enforcement and design teams to uncover the physical evidence aid in the explanation of the causes of failure.
Employing engineering principles; ancillary sciences including chemistry and physics; and engineering mathematics and statistics, allows the forensics engineer to properly analyze the physical evidence and to formulate an official assessment of the causes of the observed failure. In cases of catastrophic failure, a written report authored by the forensics engineer can be used as a technical basis for litigation. If the case goes to trial, either with or without a jury, forensics engineers may also be subpoenaed to provide expert witness testimony. The most positive outcome of the expert’s efforts may also result in additional guidelines or standards to prevent component failures from happening again.
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) states that the primary purpose of the forensic engineering profession is to “develop practices and procedures to reduce the number of failures” (ASCE 2021). The ASCE is a leading professional Codes and standards development organization for engineers and provides books, professional development courses, journal publications, and job listings for current and aspiring forensics engineers.