Forensic Engineering

Forensic engineering is the study and investigation of materials or products that cause damage to property, or cause personal injury from improper use or malfunction. When trying to identify the cause of damage or injury the forensic engineer may review the details leading to the incident to determine what happened and how. This is especially significant and common in accidents where machinery or vehicles are involved. Forensic engineers must first investigate and collect data related materials, products or components that failed and led to the damage of property or caused personal injury. The collection of this material is achieved by physically examining any evidence that is available and carrying out experiments, if necessary, to determine what happened and how the injury or damage was caused. The forensic engineer may also retrace steps of an incident to clarify details before reporting any relevant findings. Road traffic accidents may require a forensic engineer’s skills and expertise. The forensic engineer will be required to perform certain and specific tasks and to analyse the scene, reporting on what can physically be seen and then possibly experimenting or retracing steps to confirm what cannot be seen and to come to a solid conclusion as to what happened. Insurance companies may often rely on the forensic engineers’ reports to assess claims by looking at why a building collapsed, for example.