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Feature Story
Forensics Technology
Sherlock Holmes would have been proud of the scientific discipline these engineers display in discovering the cause of failure, poor performance, or schedule delays for engineered products, structures, or systems. They are the sleuths of the engineering world.
Forensic engineers objectively investigate materials, systems, structures, or components that fail or do not perform as intended—from failures as a result of catastrophic events to project schedules delays.
Some common types of failures include structural failures, fire investigations (see JETS Newsletter, November 2007), product defects, accident investigations, and failures that occur as a result of natural disasters. These include storm and settlement-related damage to structures, moisture intrusion and mold, automotive and related accidents, fires, lightning damage, and product liability issues.
During natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, teams of forensics engineers investigated the failure of the levee system as well as structural failure of individual buildings. Forensic engineers were also on site investigating after the collapse of the World Trade Center, the I-35W Bridge in Minnesota, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, TWA flight 800, and the Hyatt Regency walkway collapse in 1981, to name a few. They are also involved in product liability investigation, such as medical devices (from heart valves to artificial knees and other implants), appliances, consumer products, tools, and industrial machinery.
Most manufacturers have a forensics team on staff that monitors how products perform over time to detect early failures and improve quality or efficiency. Feedback from the forensics or life team members provides vital information to improve the product or develop new ones.
If CSI is one of your favorite TV shows, then definitely investigate forensic engineering. Forensic engineers use many of the same techniques and tools as crime scene investigators—including infra-red, ultra-violet, and magnetic resonance imaging. They interview witnesses and study technical drawings, product specifications, and manufacturing or construction records.
Many forensic engineers serve as expert witnesses when a failure or schedule delay goes to trial. To practice at this level requires the forensic engineer to pass the certification exam and be licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.). Professional engineers who serve in this capacity may also have taken courses in product liability law and legal procedures.
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