Practical application of engineering principles to determine the cause of a structural or machine failure is known as forensic engineering. By using reverse engineering, Forensic engineers determines why a structure, a component, a mechanism or a machine failed to function perfectly.
It also focuses on digging deeper to find out the cause of damage to a structure, system or a machine. Put simply forensic engineering is mainly about trying to find out what went off course. In a nutshell forensic engineering investigates the failures. By visiting forensic engineering consulting you can find further information. From slight failures to catastrophic breakdowns that leads to court action, forensic engineering works on all levels.
Functions of forensic engineers
- Application and investigation of scientific knowledge to solve problems or how a criminal activity proceeded.
- Appear in court cases along with their conclusions as evidence in instances of human fatalities and property damage due to mechanical failure.
- Use of their findings as evidence in court cases where a criminal case is involved.
- Testifying on the conclusions of investigations before a court of law or a judicial system as required.
Forensic engineering consists of the investigation of structures, products, components, mechanisms or materials that have failed. For some reason, they did not perform, function or operate as they are designed to and lead to human or property damage. Economic loss is a considerable factor as well.
Who requires services of forensic engineering?
Product manufacturers, Insurance companies, building contractors, underwriters, Auditors, Banks and financial institutions, Law firms, project coordinators, government investigators and private investigators are institutions and people who requires the services of forensic engineering.
Forensic engineers are called to investigate accidents and incidents where human injury or property damage has occurred. Below are examples of such situations.
A stage where a musical was held, collapsedand crushed a person underneath before the concert began.
A sports arena car park collapsing before completion.
An electric iron experiencing an electrical failure and causing electrical shock and burns to the owner.
Types of forensics
There are many types of forensic sub classes. They are accounting, digital, arts and botany forensics. Forensic astronomy, forensic archaeologyand forensic anthropology are also fields that have been in the spotlight for a long time.
In the financial and economical world forensic accountants function as detectives. And in the detectives of the medical world are forensic pathologists.
There are many types of forensic engineers.
- Structural forensic engineering
- Fire & explosion investigations
- Forensic building consultants
- Chemical engineering
- Material engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Drone analysis
- Crash data retrieval
What does a forensic engineer do?
The role of a forensic engineer can be listed as below in three distinct phases.
At first and initial phase which is gathering evidence forensic engineers research the background of accident by preserving the original scene. Organization, assessment of hazards and finally leading gathering of evidence.
Second phase is investigations analysis. Carrying out a proper examination on the incident, planning the investigation, selection and a forming an investigation team to work by avoiding bias but focusing on the objective is important.
Finally informing the client about the nature and reason for failure, sometimes before a court of law.
Finally, a forensic engineer must be equipped with considerable experience and knowledge in their respective field of engineering to maintain a quality standard at all stages.