TOPIC 1: Principle of
Forensic Engineering
KEJURUTERAAN FORENSIK &
PENYELENGGARAAN BANGUNAN
22 June 2020 | i-KPKT, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Izni Syahrizal bin Ibrahim
Director
Forensic Engineering Centre (FEC)
Definition
• Forensic (fo ren' sik): the application of knowledge to
questions of civil and criminal law. Forensic
Engineering is the application of engineering principles
and methodologies to answer questions of fact
• From Latin: forensis meaning “public”
o Belonging to courts of law
o Pertaining to or fitted for legal or public
argumentation
Definition: Forensic
Engineering
• Forensic Engineering: a science concerned with relations
between engineering and the law
• Forensic Engineering is essentially a failure analysis
program for litigation support. The goal of such a
program is to positively identify the sequence of events
leading to ultimate failure.
What is Forensic Engineering?
• Forensic Engineering is defined as "the investigation of failures -
ranging from serviceability to catastrophic - which may lead to
legal activity, including both civil and criminal“ (Neale, 1999)
• Forensic Engineering is the application of engineering principles
to the investigation of failures or other performance
problems. Forensic engineering also involves testimony on the
findings of these investigations before a court of law (ASCE)
• Includes investigation of materials, products, structures or
components that fail or do not operate or function as intended,
causing personal injury, damage to property or economic loss
What is Forensic Engineering?
• Purpose of Forensic Engineering investigation is to locate cause
or causes of failure with a view to improve performance or life of
a component, or to assist a court in determining the facts of an
accident
• Using Reverse Engineering to figure out why a structure, material
or component failed to perform as intended
Forensic in General
• Forensic Accounting • Forensic Meteorology
• Forensic Anthropology • Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Audit • Forensic Paleontology
• Forensic Computing • Forensic Palynology
• Forensic DNA • Forensic Pathology
• Forensic Entomology • Forensic Psychiatry
• Forensic Evidence • Forensic Psychology
• Forensic Linguistics • Forensic Science
• Forensic Medicine • Forensic Toxicology
What is Forensic Engineering?
Applying engineering knowledge to determine what went wrong
with a structure, machine, component or material (ASCE)
What went wrong? What went wrong?
What went wrong?
General Goals of Forensic
Engineering Investigation
• To determine causes of failure (most commonly
desired information)
• To compare statement by witnesses or injured
parties with physical evidence
• To ascertain whether an illegal or improper
activity was causative
• To assess damage to materials, products or
structures and evaluate repair estimate
Multi Disciplinary
• Forensic engineering is a multi-disciplinary process for
investigating and reporting the cause of engineering
problems which may have legal ramifications
• The process is founded on the scientific method which
is fundamental to the solution of most engineering
predicaments whether they are related to Civil,
Structural, Geotechnical, Mechanical, Metallurgical,
Materials, Industrial, Chemical, or Other Engineering
Fields
Who are the Clients?
• Owners, developers, tenants
• Public & government agencies
• Contractors
• Designers, material manufacturers
• Attorneys
• Insurance companies
• Plaintiffs in litigation (injured parties)
• Defendants in litigation (design, construction,
maintenance or operation)
Generalist of Forensic Engineer
• Many failures require investigations be conducted by
more than one specialist
• Some cases involve services of Principal Investigator, or
generalist Forensic Engineer
• This person serves as a lead consultant who advices the
client on the types of:
o specialists needed for the team,
o select them with client’s authorization, &
o coordinates their activities
• The generalist may get involved:
o in testimony, &
o simply observed the proceedings after coordinating the
investigations and assisting with trial preparations.
Qualification of an Expert
• Those who qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill,
experience, training or education may testify in a form
of an opinion:
i. The expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the
evidence or to determine a fact in issue
ii. The testimony is based on sufficient facts or data
iii. The testimony is the product of reliable principles and
methods
iv. The expert has reliably applied the principles and methods
to the facts of the case
Fields Civil & Structural (C&S)
Forensic
• Engineering investigation and determination
of the causes of structural failures of
buildings, bridges and other constructed
facilities; and
• Rendering opinions and giving testimony in
judicial proceedings.
Scope of Forensic C&S
Engineering
• Structures, buildings & bridges
• Geotechnical works
• Highways and transportation
• Waterways, ports, coastal & offshore facilities
• Culverts and pipelines
• Air transportation
• Environmental facilities
• Hydraulics, irrigation and drainage
Competencies of Forensic C&S
Engineer
• Familiarity with Building Codes, specifications &
industry standards
• Understanding of structural & soil behaviour to know
how structures behave and why they fail
• Ability to collect & analyse data:
o detective skills,
o develop failure hypothesis, &
o reach to correct conclusions regarding the causes of failure.
• Having some knowledge of legal procedures
• Good oral & written communication skills
• Have high ethical standards
Structural Failure
• General definitions:
o Inability of a component, structure or facility to
perform its intended function
o Failure does not necessarily involve collapse or
rupture
o Non-conformity with design specifications or
deficient performance
o An unacceptable difference between the expected
and observed performance
Functional Failure
• Functional failure involves compromise of intended
usage of structure or facility
• Examples:
o Excessive vibration of floor
o Roof leaks
o Inadequate air conditioning
o Poor acoustics
Causes of Failure
• Site selection and site development errors
• Programming deficiencies
• Design errors
• Construction errors / procedural errors
• Material deficiencies
• Operational errors
Activities in Forensic
Investigation
• Gather Information • Develop Opinions &
• Investigate Conclusions
• Visual Inspection • Explain the Reasoning Behind
the Conclusion
• Document Review
• Prepare Culpability
• Photographic Documentation Worksheets
• Code, Industry Standars & • Assist Attorneys
Product Research
• Give a Clear Assessment of
• Analysis Data the Risks Invloved with Each
• Map Actions of Parties Issue
• Give Expert Witness Testimony
Investigation Process
Engagement & Definition of Investigation Objectives
Collection of Background Information & Documents
Preliminary Site Visit
Formation of Investigation Plan & Project Team
Formula Initial Failure Hypothesis
Comprehensive Document Study
Site Investigation, Field Testing & Sample Collection
Structural Analysis, Design Check & Laboratory
Testing
Revision of Failure Hypothesis FINAL CONCLUSION FINAL REPORT
Revision of Investigative Plan
Investigation Process
Engagement & Definition of Investigation Objectives
Collection of Background Information & Documents
Preliminary Site Visit
Formation of Investigation Plan & Project Team
STAGE 1
Formula Initial Failure Hypothesis
Comprehensive Document Study
Site Investigation, Field Testing & Sample Collection
STAGE 2
Structural Analysis, Design Check & Laboratory
Testing
Revision of Failure Hypothesis FINAL CONCLUSION FINAL REPORT
Revision of Investigative Plan
Identify Investigation Team
Possible disciplines for structural failure investigation:
• Structural Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Concrete Specialist
• Metallurgist / Material Expert
• Architect
• Surveyors
• Photographer
• Test Specialists, Instrumentation Specialists
• Contract Law Specialist
Conclusions
• Forensic Engineering is the application of engineering
sciences to the investigation of failures or other
performance problems.
• A wide and multi-disciplinary field, requiring
engineering expertise and knowledge of legal
procedures.
• Forensic Engineering deals with the investigation and
re-construction of failures in buildings, bridges,
facilities, vehicles and other engineered systems.
• Engineers & Managers need to have a helicopter view
of the process, techniques, outcome reporting and legal
aspects of Forensic Engineering investigation.
Thank You
