Guidelines for Forensic Engineering Practice

by Lewis, Gary L.; Technical Council on Forensic Engineering

• ISBN13: 9780784406885
• ISBN10: 078440688X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-01
• Publisher: Amer Society of Civil Engineers

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION	1	(1)
1.1 Purpose of guidelines	1	(1)
1.2 Hypothetical Case Study	1	(1)
CHAPTER 2: QUALIFICATIONS OF FORENSIC ENGINEERS	2	(18)
2.1 Introduction	2	(1)
2.1.1 Chapter Content	2	(1)
2.1.2 Attributes of Expert Engineers	2	(1)
2.2 Qualifications of Forensic Engineers	3	(13)
2.2.1 Forensic Engineer Qualifications - Two Views	3	(1)
2.2.2 Qualifications of Forensic Engineers as Viewed by the Courts	4	(2)
2.2.2.1 Admissibility	5	(1)
2.2.3 Qualifications of Forensic Engineers as Viewed by the Engineering Profession	6	(10)
2.2.3.1 Assistance to Trier of Fact	8	(1)
2.2.3.2 Specialty of Engineer's Firm	8	(1)
2.2.3.3 Specialty Registration	8	(2)
2.2.3.4 General Registration (Professional Engineer)	10	(2)
2.2.3.5 Generalist Forensic Engineer	12	(1)
2.2.3.6 Qualification by Possessing Key Attributes	12	(2)
2.2.3.7 NAFE Qualifications	14	(1)
2.2.3.8 Professional Society Activities and Senior Membership Grades	14	(1)
2.2.3.9 ICED Recommended Practices in Construction Industry Disputes	15	(1)
2.2.3.10 ICED Recommended Practices for Expert Testimony	15	(1)
2.2.3.11 Other Professional Organizations	16	(1)
2.3 Application To The Hypothetical	16	(1)
2.4 How to Assess Qualifications of a Candidate Expert Witness	16	(1)
2.4.1 Recommended Checklist	16	(1)
2.5 Conclusion	17	(1)
2.6 References	18	(2)
CHAPTER 3: INVESTIGATIONS	20	(16)
3.1 Introduction	20	(1)
3.1.1 Chapter Purpose	20	(1)
3.2 Field Investigations	20	(6)
3.2.1 Identification of Parties Involved	20	(1)
3.2.2 Planning and Scheduling	21	(1)
3.2.2.1 Staff Selection and Availability	21	(1)
3.2.2.2 Equipment Selection and Availability	21	(1)
3.2.2.3 Scheduling	22	(1)
3.2.3 Mobilization for Site Inspections	22	(1)
3.2.4 Data Gathering and Documentation	22	(3)
3.2.4.1 Sketches and Notes of Project, Site Conditions	23	(1)
3.2.4.2 Photographs and Video	23	(1)
3.2.4.3 Equipment Usage and Calibration	23	(1)
3.2.4.4 Evidence Gathering/Chain of Custody	24	(1)
3.2.4.5 Sampling and Testing Methods	24	(1)
3.2.4.6 Interviews	24	(1)
3.2.4.7 Interaction With Media	25	(1)
3.2.4.7 Safety	25	(1)
3.2.5 Data Assembly	25	(1)
3.2.5.1 Organization and Format of Data	25	(1)
3.2.5.2 Avoidance of Preconceived Notions	25	(1)
3.2.5.3 Storage of Samples and Protection of Evidence	26	(1)
3.2.6 Issues Raised in Hypothetical	26	(1)
3.3 Laboratory Investigation	26	(2)
3.3.1 Testing and Inspection	26	(1)
3.3.2 Laboratory Reports	27	(1)
3.3.2.1 Initial Information	21	(6)
3.3.2.2 Test Information	27	(1)
3.3.2.3 Testing Equipment Information	27	(1)
3.3.2.4 Sample/Specimen Information	27	(1)
3.3.2.5 Test Results	28	(1)
3.4 Office Investigation	28	(3)
3.4.1 Data Gathering Phase	28	(3)
3.4.1.1 Construction Documents	29	(1)
3.4.1.2 Applicable Codes	30	(1)
3.4.1.3 Construction History	30	(1)
3.4.1.4 Maintenance History	30	(1)
3.4.1.5 Shop Drawings	31	(1)
3.4.2 Data Assembly	31	(1)
3.5 Reports	31	(3)
3.5.1 Preliminary Report	32	(1)
3.5.2 Final Report	32	(4)
3.5.2.1 Introduction	32	(1)
3.5.2.2 Background	32	(1)
3.5.2.3 Observations	33	(1)
3.5.2.4 Information from Others	33	(1)
3.5.2.5 Analyses	33	(1)
3.5.2.6 Discussion	34	(1)
3.5.2.7 Conclusions and Recommendations	34	(1)
3.6 Conclusion	34	(1)
3.7 References	34	(2)
CHAPTER 4: ETHICS IN FORENSIC ENGINEERING	36	(46)
4.1 Introduction	36	(2)
4.1.1 Chapter Purpose	37	(1)
4.1.2 Ethical Forensic Engineering Practice Defined	38	(1)
4.1.3 Public Trust	38	(1)
4.2 Ethical Issues in Forensic Engineering	38	(13)
4.2.1 Typical Issues	39	(1)
4.2.2 Objectivity Defined	40	(1)
4.2.3 Advocacy Defined	40	(1)
4.2.4 Is There an Advocacy Problem?	41	(1)
4.2.5 Solution to the Advocacy Problem	42	(3)
4.2.6 Testimony Outside Area of Competence	45	(1)
4.2.7 Inadequate Knowledge of Industry Standards of Care	45	(2)
4.2.8 Code Evaluations	47	(1)
4.2.9 Conflicts of Interest	48	(1)
4.2.10 Establishing Reasonable Degree of Scientific/Engineering Certainty	49	(1)
4.2.11 Failing to Resolve Disputed Facts	50	(1)
4.2.12 Liability of Expert Witnesses	50	(1)
4.3 Precepts of Ethical Forensic Engineering Practice	51	(5)
4.3.1 Compiled Principles of Ethical Conduct for Forensic Engineers	52	(1)
4.3.2 Knowledge of Professional Association Codes of Ethics	52	(1)
4.3.3 State Statutes	52	(1)
4.3.4 Professional Society Codes of Ethics	53	(3)
4.3.4.1 ASCE Code of Ethics	53	(1)
4.3.4.2 NSPE Code of Ethics	54	(1)
4.3.4.3 ABA and ASCE Positions on Ethical Aspects of Civil Justice Reform in America	55	(1)
4.4 Ethical Practice Guidelines for Forensic Engineers	56	(13)
4.4.1 Solicitation of Work	57	(1)
4.4.2 Initial Client Contact	57	(1)
4.4.3 Contracting for Services	58	(1)
4.4.4 Scope of Services	59	(1)
4.4.5 Compensation	60	(1)
4.4.6 Confidentiality	60	(1)
4.4.7 Conducting the Investigation	61	(1)
4.4.8 Report Preparation	62	(1)
4.4.9 Attorney's Reviews	62	(1)
4.4.10 Strategizing with the Legal Team	62	(1)
4.4.11 Disclosure	63	(1)
4.4.12 Public or Professional Statements	64	(1)
4.4.13 Testimony at Depositions	64	(1)
4.4.14 Testimony at Trial	64	(2)
4.4.15 Dealing with Adversarial or Confrontational Situations	66	(1)
4.4.16 Assisting with Remediation	67	(1)
4.4.17 Relationship with Attorneys, Attorney Ethics	68	(1)
4.4.18 Demeanor	69	(1)
4.5 Application to the Hypothetical	69	(5)
4.5.1 Historical Causes of Bridge Failure	70	(1)
4.5.2 Possible Stipulated versus Disputed Facts in the Hypothetical	71	(1)
4.5.3 Standards of Care Relevant to the Hypothetical	72	(1)
4.5.4 Ethical Issues Raised by the Hypothetical	73	(1)
4.5.5 Ethical Issues in Each Party's Conduct	74	(1)
4.6 Damage Done by Unethical Conduct	74	(1)
4.7 Reporting Unethical Conduct	75	(2)
4.8 Ethical Standards for Publications	77	(1)
4.9 Conclusion	77	(1)
4.10 References	78	(4)
CHAPTER 5: THE LEGAL FORUM	82	(17)
5.1 Introduction	82	(2)
5.1.1 Chapter Purpose	82	(1)
5.1.2 Description of the Legal System
5.1.3 Forensic Engineers as Experts	83	(1)
5.2 Role of the Forensic Engineer as a Witness in Litigation	84	(4)
5.2.1 Deposition Testimony	84	(1)
5.2.2 Trial Testimony	85	(1)
5.2.3 Rebuttal Testimony	86	(1)
5.2.4 Arbitration Testimony	86	(1)
5.2.5 Relationship to The Legal Team	87	(1)
5.2.6 Relationship to Adversaries	87	(1)
5.3 Role of Forensic Engineers in Mediation	88	(1)
5.4 Establishing Qualifications of Expert Witnesses	89	(3)
5.4.1 Presentation of Qualifications	89	(2)
5.4.2 Disclosure of Qualifications	91	(1)
5.4.3 Challenges to Qualifications	91	(1)
5.5 Admissibility of Testimony by Forensic engineers	92	(4)
5.5.1 Frye	92	(1)
5.5.2 Rule 702 - Testimony by Experts	93	(1)
5.5.3 Rule 703 - Reasonableness	93	(1)
5.5.4 Daubert	94	(1)
5.5.5 Kumho Tire Co. Ltd., et al., versus Patrick Charmichael, et al	95	(1)
5.5.6 South Carolina Law (One State's Interpretation)	95	(1)
5.6 Role of the Forensic Engineer Outside of Expert Testimony	96	(3)
5.6.1 Consultant to the Legal Team	96	(1)
5.6.2 As a Defense Expert	97	(1)
5.6.3 As an Insurance Industry Expert	97	(1)
5.6.4 As a Claims Consultant	98	(1)
CHAPTER 6: BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS	99	(23)
6.1 Introduction	99	(1)
6.1.1 Chapter Purpose	99	(1)
6.2 Marketing Forensic Services	99	(7)
6.2.1 Types of Marketing	99	(4)
6.2.1.1 Advertising	99	(2)
6.2.1.2 Personal Contact	101	(1)
6.2.1.3 Referrals	101	(1)
6.2.1.4 Repeat Business	102	(1)
6.2.1.5 Panels and Other Presentations	102	(1)
6.2.2 Scope of Marketing	103	(6)
6.2.2.1 Presentation of Qualifications	103	(1)
6.2.2.2 Multidisciplinary Assignments	104	(1)
6.2.2.3 Demonstrations	104	(1)
6.2.2.4 Insurance Companies Versus Attorneys	105	(1)
6.2.2.5 Advocacy in Marketing	106	(1)
6.3 Pricing Engineering Services and Payment Arrangements	106	(3)
6.4 Assignments from Clients, Insurance Companies & Attorneys	109	(4)
6.4.1 Investigative Assignments	110	(1)
6.4.1.1 Conducting a Technical Investigation	110	(1)
6.4.1.2 Coordinating a Technical Investigation	110	(1)
6.4.2 Directed and/or Limited Investigation Assignments	111	(1)
6.4.3 Reporting of Bad News	112	(1)
6.5 Insurance for Forensic Engineering	113	(4)
6.5.1 Introduction	113	(1)
6.5.2 Types of Insurance	114	(1)
6.5.3 Professional Liability Policies	115	(1)
6.5.4 Liability	116	(1)
6.6 Scope of Forensic Engineering Services	117	(2)
6.6.1 Design Verses Forensic Analysis	118	(1)
6.6.2 Record Retention	119	(1)
6.7 Relation of Business Considerations to the Hypothetical	119	(2)
6.1.1 Selection of the State's Forensic Engineer	119	(1)
6.1.2 Selection of the Contractor's Forensic Engineer	120	(1)
6.1.3 Selection of the Design Engineer's Forensic Engineer	121	(1)
6.8 References	121	(1)
Appendix A - Hypothetical Failure	122	(5)
Appendix B - Compiled Principles of Ethical Conduct for Forensic Engineers	127	(10)
INDEX	137