Preface

This book is an overview of the activities of forensic experts in the engineering professions. General chapters cover aspects of forensic activity that are common to all disciplines. Specific chapters, contributed by experts in each specialized field, detail unique aspects of forensic engineering and accident reconstruction in the various specialized disciplines.

Contributors have been carefully selected to represent a wide variety of significant experience in forensic practice. Biographical information regarding contributors is given in the section immediately following. Each chapter is a brief informative overview and is intended to be a reflection primarily of the contributor’s own experiences. Viewpoints expressed in a particular chapter are the author’s own, and do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the publisher, the editor, or other contributors.

Contributors have included the following information as it relates to their specific disciplines:

• Typical clients, and scope and purpose of investigations
• Techniques, procedures, and tools used in investigation and analysis
• Interface with forensic specialists from other disciplines
• Impact of forensic activity on improved practices, products, or planning to reduce the frequency and severity of failures
• Case study examples from the contributors’ experiences
• Reference lists for further reading.

Some contributors have included reference to basic theories used in a typical analysis; others have focused on the organizational aspects of an investigation, or on the institutional framework for the practice of forensic engineering.

This book is the first broad overview of forensic activity and accident investigation in engineering. It is expected to appeal to a varied audience which will include forensic experts practicing in all engineering disciplines, design and construction professionals, attorneys, product manufacturers, insurance professionals, and engineering students.