Forensic Engineering Fundamentals

Forensic engineers often specialize in a particular area such as structures, fires, or accident reconstruction. However, the nature of the work often requires broad knowledge in the interrelated areas of physics, chemistry, biomechanics, and engineering. Covering cases as varied as assessment of workplace accidents to the investigation of Halliburton in the BP oil spill, Forensic Engineering Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to the many diverse facets of the field that forensic engineers must be familiar with in their practice.

Topics include

The role of the forensic engineer

Structures, structural distress, and the importance of standards and codes

The failure of appliances—the cause of many water- or fire-related losses

Slips, trips, and falls of pedestrians and the accessibility of walking surfaces

Industrial incidents involving loss of equipment, injury and loss of life, as well as OSHA and MSHA regulations

Standard accident reconstruction involving vehicles

Electrical incidents and lightning and the effect of electrical energy on the human body

Analysis of fires with an emphasis on thermodynamics, testing, and simulation

Carbon monoxide incidents and common fire suppression and warning systems, as well as the various NFPA codes

Probability and uncertainty, with some basic calculations available to the forensic engineer

Applicable standards and protocols that have developed over the years to protect life and property

Offering readers real-world experience drawn from the authors’ 25 years of experience, this volume assists newcomers to the field in understanding the engineering basics underlying the cases they will encounter in their practice. It also serves as a reliable reference for those confronted with issues outside their area of expertise.