"Forensic Engineering '...is defined as: —the application of the art and science of engineering in matters which are in, or may possibly relate to, the jurisprudence system, inclusive of alternative dispute resolution.' "
National Academy of Forensic Engineers*
"Forensic engineering is the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property. The consequences of failure are dealt with by the law of product liability. The field also deals with retracing processes and procedures leading to accidents in operation of vehicles or machinery. The subject is applied most commonly in civil law cases, although may be of use in criminal law cases. Generally the purpose of a 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. It can also involve investigation of intellectual property claims, especially patents."
"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 opinion to assist in the resolution of disputes affecting life or property."
National Association of Forensic Engineers*
* attribution in a published Engineering Board Policy Advisory Request - the organization has not been identified.
* published on www.nafe.org
There are many definitions of forensic engineering, most in one way or another expressing a similar concept in different ways, some more inclusive than others. We like the following more inclusive definition distilled from many sources, including the definitions listed below:
Forensic Engineering - A Composite Definition
"Forensic engineering is the application of the science of engineering by qualified professional engineers, through the application of accepted engineering practices and principles, within the requirements of the jurisprudence system, in matters which are in the jurisprudence system, or which may become matters for the jurisprudence system, including alternative dispute resolution. Forensic engineering includes the investigation of the physical causes of accidents and incidents, and other sources of claims and litigation, which may have caused injury, death or property damage. Forensic engineering includes the investigation of materials, products, equipment, structures, other facilities, components and systems which may have failed or not operated, functioned or performed safely and/or as intended, which may be as a result of design, manufacturing or construction defects. Forensic engineering includes the investigation of processes and procedures which may have led to accidents in operation of vehicles, machinery, equipment and mechanical and other systems. Forensic engineering includes engineering analysis, accident reconstruction*, preparation of engineering reports and affidavits, and testimony at depositions, hearings and trials, and the rendition of advisory opinions in other settings, to assist in the resolution of disputes affecting life or property."
* Accident reconstruction is the determination of how an accident occurred using accepted engineering
practices and principles and the evidence from the accident.
Table of Contents - Definitions of Forensic Engineering
■ A Composite Definition of Forensic Engineering
■ Definition of Forensic Engineering from the National Academy of Forensic Engineers
■ Definition of Forensic Engineering from National Association of Forensic Engineers
■ Definition of Forensic Engineering in Wikipedia (Wikipedia is probably not peer reviewed)
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over 30 Years Investigating, Analyzing, Reconstructing & Testifying about Accidents
Forensic Engineering & Scientific Accident Reconstruction
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Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions routinely for accidents, incidents and cases located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York, in the technical areas which are noted in this website, as well as providing expert reports and testifying in court proceedings in these states in the capacity of an Expert Witness, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials. Forensic Engineering work has also been performed in, and/or for cases in, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Kansas and Utah, with testimony in court in West Virginia and Kansas.
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed Professional Engineer, and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, has performed Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses and Accident Reconstructions for accidents, incidents and cases in the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown, Mansfield, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Lima, Findlay, Marietta and Steubenville, Ohio, as well elsewhere throughout Ohio, and the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as elsewhere throughout western and central Pennsylvania, and the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron, Michigan, as well as elsewhere in southern Michigan, and the metropolitan areas of Buffalo and Syracuse, New York, as well as elsewhere in western and central New York state. In many of these areas James D. Madden, P.E. has provided expert reports and testified in the capacity of an Expert Witness in court proceedings, including depositions, arbitrations and/or trials.
Latest updates to the overall document and activity counts (reports, affidavits, cases, trials, and depositions), and counts of the number of individual specialty cases were completed 7/15/2020. The updates of the overall document and activity counts and the counts of the number of individual specialty cases for the period between 12/2007 and 7/15/2020 were based only on the documents produced, and thus are under-counts (i.e. cases without a report or affidavit were not included in the counts).
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction
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phone: 440-838-0640 or 440-832-9540, fax: 440-838-1192
Madden Accident Analysis, Investigation, Reconstruction, through its Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E., is available for Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses, Accident Reconstructions, and testimony in depositions, hearings, arbitrations and trials, for cases located throughout North America.
