Forensic Engineering
Forensic investigations require both a broad investigative scope to address probable failure mechanisms and sufficient detail to defend court testimony when challenged.
FEA’s professional engineers conduct unbiased, objective studies that utilize both factual evidence obtained on site and information obtained from tests that recreate site conditions.
Our analyses use accepted engineering principles and industry standards to validate our opinions.
Our investigations are supervised by professional engineers experienced in courtroom testimony. Our forensic studies have included failures of site infrastructure, building façade litigation, foundation failures, roof failures, fire damage, and indoor air quality issues.
The purpose of the forensic study is to thoroughly explore the conditions leading to failure such that an opinion of cause can be formulated. The expert’s opinion must be based in facts, admissible in court, expressed in accordance with accepted practice, and within an acceptable margin of error.
At FEA, causal opinions are peer reviewed internally. Failure situations often have several factors that can be interpreted to contribute in part, totally, or not at all to the failure. The peer review process tests the strength of our causal opinions and assures an unbiased approach to determining cause.
Formulating an opinion of loss or damage requires experience in estimating repair or replacement costs. Many of FEA’s projects involve repair and restoration of building components or site systems. FEA often takes projects from the investigative phase through construction providing a direct source of pricing for rehabilitation projects.
In some cases, destructive testing is required to determine the root cause of a problem. Knowledge of design intent and as built construction is often necessary to determine an efficient repair and therefore the scope of the loss.
FEA uses standard cost estimating references in conjunction with our knowledge of repair and restoration construction to validate loss estimations. FEA has also assisted cost estimation firms in the determination of loss related to the scope of repairs, relocation or protection required during construction.
Many of FEA’s senior engineers have qualified as expert witnesses in state and district courts. They have provided depositional and court room testimony in both plaintiff and defense cases. Our engineers have experience with arbitration hearings, bench trials, and jury trials.
Collectively, FEA’s senior engineers are licensed in 22 states across the country and are active members of many national technical associations such as:
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- National Academy of Forensic Engineers
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- American Society for Testing and Materials
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
- International Code Council
- Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
- American Concrete Institute
- International Concrete Repair Institute
- Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute
- Institute of Roofing & Waterproofing Consultants
- National Roofing Contractors Association
- Society of American Military Engineers
FEA provides support to attorneys throughout the development of a case whether in the role of a technical consultant or as a designated expert. We can provide insight related to the technical strengths or weaknesses associated with the case.
We exercise proper procedures related to the gathering, transfer, and storage of evidence.
We can opine on the standard of care applied to our industry and whether or not certain construction or design standards have been achieved.
We can review expert testimony of others as it relates to a case to determine merit and plausibility.
For referrals and résumés, please contact Paul Swanson, P.E., member of the National Association of Forensic Engineers (NAFE) at: swanson@feapc.com.