Forensic Engineering

Forensik dan Perbaikan Struktur

Faimun

Fakultas Teknik Sipil, Lingkungan dan Kebumian

Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya

Genap 2023

Faimun (ITS Surabaya) Pemeliharaan Bangunan Semester Genap 2019/2020 1 / 19

Forensic Engineering/Sciences

Definition:
Forensic engineering is the application of engineering principles,
knowledge, skills, and methodologies to answer questions of fact that
may have legal ramifications

Faimun (ITS Surabaya) Pemeliharaan Bangunan Semester Genap 2019/2020 2 / 19

Fundamental Questions

The fundamental questions of fact to be addressed are:

What is the failure or condition(s) of concern?
What is the magnitude and extent of the failure(s)?
When did it occur (if this determination is needed and desired)?
Why did it occur?

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Why did it occur?
Why did the failure(s) of concern occur?, is complex, and. his
causation question must often be answered at multiple levels.
For example, if a high wind caused failure of the roof, the failure may
be due to high winds, but may have occurred at lower than design
wind speeds due to improper design or installation.
This example touches on the issue of the ultimate “root cause” of the
failure, which requires analysis based on detailed site inspection
information and subsequent analysis and review of the literature,
pertinent codes and standards, and other information such as that
obtained from interviews.
It is common to arrive at a topical conclusion regarding the cause of a
failure (e.g.,.wind) that is not the root cause of failure.(e.g., faulty
installation). Often, whether in claims resolution discussions or in
litigation, this differentiation between a topical cause and a root cause
of failure is at the core of the arguments between opposing parties
involved in a dispute.
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What differs from other field of science

What makes forensic engineering/sciences different from other fields

of science is that it couples the academic fields of engineering and
science with the practical fields of building/construction sciences and
the trades, such as those associated with carpentry, masonry, and
plumbing.
Building and construction sciences consist of knowing terminology,
practices, and methodologies of trades such as carpentry, heating
ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC), plumbing, and wiring.
Knowledge of residential and commercial codes and standards is also
a must, as they bridge all these areas..

Faimun (ITS Surabaya) Pemeliharaan Bangunan Semester Genap 2019/2020 5 / 19

Why Forensic Engineering/Sciences?

The reason why forensic professionals are needed is typically distilled

down to the desire by one or more parties to determine why a failure
or issue occurred.
The desire to seek this information usually involves determining
responsible parties so costs associated with the failure can be properly
allocated.
The two categories of parties most likely interested in employing
forensic professionals to make these determinations are associated
with the insurance industry and the legal community.
Other parties, such as building owners, may have an interest in
determining these answers, but they are generally unwilling to incur
the costs or do not have the resources to employ such professionals.

Faimun (ITS Surabaya) Pemeliharaan Bangunan Semester Genap 2019/2020 6 / 19

Insurance Company interest

Insurance companies are interested in making failure cause

determinations for these primary reasons:
Determine root cause failures and resulting responsible parties.
Determine if they have coverage of a submitted claim based on
root cause failures and timing of failure
Quantify the extent of damages
Determine if other parties may have coverage for a submitted
claim (i.e., concept of subrogation)

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Legal Comunnity interest

The interest of the legal community in using forensic professionals is

typically associated with the need to:
Determine root cause failures and resulting responsible parties
Quantify the extent of damages
Qualify necessary repairs
Provide expert witness services for pending/actual litigation
The legal community typically uses this information to help determine
responsible parties for damage or injured parties and to determine if
claims have been appropriately addressed by insurance providers.

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Insurance Industry Claims Statistics

Claim Types by Frequency and Severity (Cost)

Type of Claim Or Peril Frequency Severity Frequency (%)

Fire, lightning, and debris 0.49 $ 27,691.00 8.45
Other, including mischief and vandalism 1.12 $ 5,481.00 19.51
Theft 0.5 $ 2,805.00 8.71
Water and freezing 1.44 $ 6,347.00 25.09
Wind and hail 2.19 $ 6,881.00 38.15
Total 5.74 100

Faimun (ITS Surabaya) Pemeliharaan Bangunan Semester Genap 2019/2020 9 / 19

Insurance Industry Claims Statistics

Residential Claim Types by Frequency and Severity

Claim Type or Peril Claims (#) Claims (%) $/Claim $(%)

Fire 63 3.78 $ 39,643.00 24.88
Hail 253 15.19 $ 9,433.00 23.77
Ice/snow 176 10.56 $ 2,914.00 5.11
Mischief 18 1.08 $ 1,966.00 0.35
Other 32 1.92 $ 2,135.00 0.68
Sewer 37 2.22 $ 4,536.00 1.67
Theft 44 2.64 $ 1,151.00 0.5
Water 480 28.81 $ 3,539.00 16.92
Wind 527 31.63 $ 4,688.00 24.61
Vehicle 36 2.16 $ 4,216.00 1.51
Total 1,666 100 100

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Insurance Industry Claims Statistics

Industrial Claim Types by Frequency and Severity

Claim Type or Peril Claims (#) Claims (%) $/Claim $(%)

Fire 13 8.28 $ 64,621 40.60
Hail 14 8.92 $ 14,397 9,74
Ice/snow 17 10.83 $ 5,427 4.46
Mischief 7 4.46 $ 1,738 0.59
Other 5 3.18 $ 3,996 0.97
Sewer 1 0.64 $ 9,923 0.48
Theft 18 11.46 $ 3,907 3.40
Water 28 17.83 $ 8,028 10.86
Wind 38 24.20 $ 12,760 25.27
Vehicle 16 10.19 $ 4,714 3.64
Total 157 100 100

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Metodology

The key steps to the inspection process are:

1 pre-inspection file preparation,
2 site inspection,
3 post-inspection written report.

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Metodology : Pre-inspection
The pre-inspection file preparation consists of obtaining and
organizing the information, personnel, and equipment needed to
conduct the onsite inspection accurately and in a time-efficient
manner.
Gathering Information and Allocating Resources Gather as much
detailed information as you can:
Site address
Point of contact(s)
Scope of work from client
Agreed time of inspection
Information on structure to be inspected
List of tools, instrumentation, cleanup items
Directions to site inspection address
Inspection Equipment and Preparation
digital camera
NDT apparatus
Sample bags
supported equipments
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Metodology : Site Inspection

Site Arrival Best Practice

photographing the front of the structure
introduce themselves to the property owner or point of contact, if
present.
Property Owner/Point of Contact Interview
Questions about structure(e.g., age, duration owned, square
footage).
The damage that has occurred.
Any improvements have been made to the structure.

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Metodology : Site Inspection

Interior Inspection
Indoor first then outdoor
Lowest floor first then up
For each indoor level.
1 Sketch floor plan and measure dimensions
2 Conduct space inspections
3 Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for each level.
4 Utilize relevant instrumentation or diagnostic tools.
5 Complete destructive testing as needed.

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Metodology : Site Inspection

Exterior (Nonroof) Inspection

1 Sketch the plan view of the structure, including roof features.
2 Measure plan view dimensions.
3 Complete the exterior inspection one elevation at a time.
4 If needed, complete a roof inspection.
5 Take outdoor measurements of spaces as needed.
6 Complete destructive testing as needed(if approved).
Roof Inspection
An overview of roof features(sketch and record dimensions, slopes,
key elements, and any discrepancies).
The roof construction as viewed from the eave.
A roof inspection specific for the issue(s) of interest.
Collection of Evidence
any items collected as forensic evidence should be documented by
photographs before and after removal. If possible, the evidence
should be placed in a plastic bag and labeled.

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Metodology : Reporting

The reasons for mandating that a written report be prepared are:

Not all information obtained during a field investigation is
documented in field logs or field notebooks.
A written report prepared in a timely fashion, allows for
recollection and documentation of information not explicitly
written in logs or field notebooks.
It provides real-time analysis of inspection observations.
It provides a more professional view of the inspector to the client.
It lessens or prevents inspection-related information from being
lost if the inspection work, findings, or conclusions are questioned
in the future.

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Elements of a Written Inspection Report

1 Title Page, Cause for Claim or Inspection, and Scope of Work

2 Documentation of Information Obtained during the Interview
3 Review of Structure Information and Applicable Data
4 Review of Weather Data
5 Summarization of Inspection Observations
6 Discussion Section Including Pertinent Analysis
7 Conclusions
8 Recommendations
9 Appendices

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Important terms used in forensics investigations

Not possible: 0% probability

Possible: more than 0% probability
Probable: more than 50% probability
Likely: more than 75% probability
Certain: 100% probability

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IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Forensic professionals include both engineering and other science professionals.

Forensic professionals are defined as "experts" by their combination of
education, training, and experience. The training and experience are key
elements for forensic professionals.
Forensic professionals typically work for the insurance and legal communities.
The insurance industry most often uses forensic professionals forhail, wind, and
water claims.
A consistent forensic inspection methodology, such as that outlined in this
chapter, is important for both efficiently completing the inspection and for
possible legal challenges to results emanating from the inspection conclusions.
A written report should be prepared following forensic inspections.
Understanding the definitions of terms such as not possible, possible, probable,
likely, and certain is critical in forming opinions in this field. Conclusions should
be categorized as either probable, likely, or certain to have value in terms of a
"reasonable degree of scientific (or engineering) certainty."

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