In MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, NOT JUST ABOUT GEARS, structural fatigue expert witness Philip J. O’Keefe, PE, MLE, writes:
Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of engineering disciplines. It encompasses a broad number of disciplines, from physics to materials science, and includes:
Strength of Materials: The study of the properties of materials along with the geometry and sizing of structural components, structures, and machine parts to prevent failure.
In MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, NOT JUST ABOUT GEARS, structural safety expert witness Philip J. O’Keefe, PE, MLE, writes:
Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest and broadest of engineering disciplines. It encompasses a broad number of disciplines, from physics to materials science, but it can be summarized as being derived from ten core areas:
1. Statics: The study of how forces are transmitted to and through stationary objects.
The Society of Professional Engineers writes on Forensic Engineers:
How and when does a Civil Engineer become a Forensic Engineer, or require the services of a Forensic Engineer? What does a Forensic Engineer do, and, what makes the Civil Engineer different to a Forensic Engineer engaged to investigate a civil engineering matter? The term Forensic Engineer is a relatively new one and too one not frequently used by those very people who are practicing Forensic Engineers! A more familiar description is Expert Witness. How do you distinguish between a Forensic Engineer and an Expert Witness? What is a Forensic Engineer? This paper attempts to differentiate between these roles, while at the same time defining what a Forensic Engineer is, and the manner, processes and techniques that he/she has to use. The paper is not intended to describe in detail the specific processes, (typically accident reconstruction, 3D modelling etc) but it does identify the legal processes and implications that the Forensic Engineer should take on when accepting instructions on a particular matter. The paper also provides examples of these processes and the implications they hold for the engineering community as a whole in a litigious society. The paper does not attempt to discuss any differences between the numerous engineering disciplines (civil, structural, mechanical et.al.); the same principles apply to all.
For more, see http://www.professionalengineers-uk.org/index.htm
A common principle utilized in establishing the cause of failure of a structure or product is reverse engineering. This is a process forensic engineering expert witnesses understand and frequently undertake, possibly under the guise of a different name, e.g. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA).
What appears an obvious methodology to many engineers is not always adhered to and frequently overlooked, but does require a disciplined analytical approach. The scientific method of determining the cause of such an incident requires the Forensic Engineer to:
* State the problem * Carry out numerous observations * Formulate an hypotheses as to the cause * Carry out any testing considered necessary * Analyse the results * Draw a conclusion
The Society of Professional Engineers gives their definition of of a forensic engineer:
The best definition of a Forensic Engineer I have found, defines the role as: “Forensic Engineering is the application of the art and science of engineering in the jurisprudence system, requiring the services of legally qualified professional engineers. Forensic Engineering may include the investigation of the physical causes of accidents and other sources of claims and litigation, preparation of engineering reports, testimony at hearings and trials in administrative or judicial proceedings, and the rendition of advisory opinions to assist the resolution of disputes affecting life or property.”
http://www.professionalengineers-uk.org/
When researching a software quality expert witness, see The American Society For Quality’s Minimum Expectations of a Software Quality Engineer. The ASQ recommends that the software quality engineer:
Must have a thorough understanding of verification and validation processes, including early software defect detection and removal, inspection, and testing methods (e.g., types, levels, strategies, tools and documentation). Must be able to analyze test strategies, develop test plans and execution documents, and review customer deliverables.
Must have a basic understanding of configuration management processes, including planning, configuration identification, configuration control, change management, status accounting, auditing and reporting. Must assess the effectiveness of product release and archival processes.
In The Role of Trial Counsel and House Counsel: Preparation of the Quality Control Witness for Deposition and Trial Testimony, authors Warren W. Eginton and Clifford L. Whitehill-Yarza, write:
Product liability cases require prevention and preparation by corporate and retained attorneys as well as by subject experts. Prevention activities include a prevention review, careful maintenance of blueprint and specifications files, file retention programs for in-house memoranda, and proper use of warranty disclaimers. Once the company receives a writ notifying it of litigation, it should assemble a defense team, consisting of the corporate attorney, an engineer, departmental representatives, and, if appropriate, a representative from the insurance carrier. An early responsibility for the team is to preserve the product and its files and to question witnesses. If an expert witness will appear at the trial, that person should be selected with care. Selection criteria include strong academic credentials and communication skills. Experienced expert witnesses should have no more than two-thirds of their cases devoted solely to either the defense or plaintiff side. The witness should prepare draft and final reports, doing so without retaining notes. Ideally, the witness should participate in a mock trial and then attend every day of the real trial. When on the stand, the expert ought to dress conservatively, speak loudly and clearly, and maintain the same demeanor when responding to both direct and cross examination questions.
For full article, see http://www.asq.org/qic/display-item/index.pl?item=10525.
Civil engineering experts at the American Society of Civil Engineers have written a free pamphlet entitles “So, You Live Behind a Levee!”
Most people know that levees are built near rivers and lakes to reduce flooding risk, but what does it mean to live behind one? Are your home and loved ones safe from floods? How much protection does the levee really provide? What do you need to know to be safe? ASCE’s new public education booklet,
So, You Live Behind a Levee!
, was created to answer those questions and more, and to help individuals and communities better protect themselves against future flood threats. Written for both the engineering and non-engineering public, it covers issues such as flood size and risk, signs of trouble, ways to reduce risk, and how to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
* Download a free copy of “So, You Live Behind a Levee!” and find out how you can order multiple copies of the handy paperback guide at a discount. http://www.asce.org/
The reverse engineering expert witness focuses on discovering the technological principles of a device, object or system through analysis of its structure, function and operation. Reverse engineering is a process of examination only: the software system under consideration is not modified (which would make it re-engineering).
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_engineering.
The California Department of Transportation Roadside Safety Research Group is responsible for evaluating the crash worthiness of roadside safety technology such as barriers, guardrails, crash cushions, bridge rails, sign supports and other hardware. The branch conducts full-scale crash tests on roadside safety hardware designs developed by Caltrans to assure that these designs comply with applicable crash performance criteria. It also evaluates the crash worthiness of proprietary hardware developed by others to assure that such hardware is acceptable for use on state highways. Finally, the branch provides support to Caltrans Legal in tort liability cases by conducting crash tests and providing technical assessments and expert witness testimony.
