What Is Forensic Engineering? p. 1 Introduction p. 1 Definitions p. 1 Accident Reconstruction p. 2 Typical Clients and Projects p.

Transcription

1 What Is Forensic Engineering? p. 1 Introduction p. 1 Definitions p. 1 Accident Reconstruction p. 2 Typical Clients and Projects p. 4 Influence on Improved Practices p. 5 Qualifications of the Forensic Engineer p. 5 Technical Competency p. 5 Knowledge of Legal Procedures p. 5 Detective Skills p. 6 Oral and Written Communication Skills p. 7 Other Skills p. 8 Personality Characteristics p. 8 Ethics and Professional Responsibilities p. 9 Resources and Professional Organizations p. 10 Professional Organizations p. 10 Journals and Regular Publications p. 11 Opportunities in Forensic Engineering Practice p. 12 References p. 12 Learning from Failures p. 15 Introduction p. 15 Historical Context: Trial-and-Error Tradition p. 15 Definition of Failure p. 18 Causes of Failure p. 19 Data Collection and Information Dissemination p. 25 Failure Trends and Professional Response p. 28 Trends Leading to an Increase in the Frequency and Severity of Failures p. 28 Failure-reduction Strategies p. 31 Summary p. 32 References p. 33 Fire Investigation p. 35 Introduction p. 35 Background p. 35 Investigative Techniques, Procedures, and Tools p. 36 Training p. 40 The Engineering Team p. 41 Fire Investigative Results p. 43 Fire Investigations: Case Studies p. 44 High-rise Apartment Incinerator Door p. 44 Industrial Equipment Fire p. 44 Condominium Natural Gas Explosion p. 45

2 Cooking Fire: Improper Stove Part p. 45 Malfunctioning Television Set p. 46 Electrical Accident: Government Building p. 46 Vacation Home: Inadequate Egress p. 48 Boating Accident p. 51 Arson p. 52 Computer Equipment Facility Fire p. 52 Do-it-Yourself Wiring p. 55 NFPA Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation (1998 Edition) p. 56 Fire Model Applications p. 57 Effects of Recent Legal Decisions on Expert Testimony in Fire Analysis Litigation: Daubert and Benfield p. 59 Spoliation of Evidence p. 60 Conclusion p. 61 Information Sources p. 62 Industrial Accidents p. 65 Introduction p. 65 Categories of Investigation p. 66 Diversity of Technical Qualifications for Industrial Accident Investigators p. 66 Involved Parties p. 68 Goals of the Investigation p. 69 Ethical Considerations p. 70 Before Taking the Assignment p. 70 Wearing More Than One Hat p. 70 The Investigator Must Have Sound Bases for an Opinion p. 71 Referring the Client to the Type of Expert Needed p. 71 Investigative Techniques p. 71 Investigative Tools p. 74 Investigative Activities p. 74 Failure Analysis p. 74 A Failure Analysis Example p. 75 Failure Analysis Using Photographs p. 76 Tests and Simulations p. 76 Layout and Analytical Analysis p. 78 Use of Multiple Investigators p. 79 Industrial Accidents Involving Knowledge, Accountability, and Job Description p. 79 User Knowledge and Accountability p. 80 Differences Between the Maintenance and Operator Functions p. 80 General Observations: Human Nature and Accidents p. 81 Safety First? p. 81 Procedural Errors p. 81 Miscalculations p. 82

3 Fewer Accidents Happen When All Runs Smoothly p. 82 Using The Machine Even Though it is Not Running Normally p. 83 Accident-prone Workers p. 84 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Responsibilities and Problems p. 84 Designing for the Emergency p. 85 Poorly Evaluated Product Changes p. 87 Who Provides the Guarding? p. 87 The Open-and-Obvious-Hazard Argument p. 89 Changes in the Intended Mode of Operation p. 89 Mismatch between Provided Maintenance and Needs of the Machine p. 89 Feedback p. 90 Machines That "Don't Wear Out" p. 90 Not All Accidents are Avoidable by the OEM's Efforts p. 93 Other Investigations: Case Studies p. 93 How Much Visibility is Enough? p. 93 Gross Negligence Actions p. 94 The Painted Scaffold p. 95 Water, Water Everywhere p. 96 Ammonia-flavored Ice Cream p. 96 Anti-two Block p. 99 Impact of Forensic Activity on Improved Practices, Products, or Planning p. 99 Conclusion p. 100 Information Sources p. 102 Product Liability p. 103 Introduction p. 103 Definition of Product Liability p. 104 Legal Systems p. 105 Product Liability Law p. 106 English Common Law p. 106 United States Law p. 107 Strict Liability p. 108 Restatement of Torts p. 108 Modifications to Strict Liability p. 109 Failure to Warn p. 110 Subsequent Change p. 110 Defect without Liability p. 110 Product Liability Other Than Strict Liability p. 111 Negligence p. 111 Breach of Warranty p. 111 Other Legal Doctrines p. 114 Comparative Negligence p. 114

4 Deep Pockets p. 114 Workers' Compensation p. 114 Court Systems p. 115 Federal Courts p. 115 State Courts p. 116 The Litigation Process p. 117 The Manufacturer p. 118 Plaintiffs p. 119 Experts p. 120 Tools of the Trade p. 120 Concluding Comments p. 121 Tort Reform p. 121 Daubert Case p. 123 Kumho Case p. 123 Case Trends p. 125 Change--The Only Certainty p. 127 References p. 128 Traffic Accident Reconstruction p. 129 Introduction p. 129 Typical Clients p. 129 Typical Information Sought p. 129 Scope and Purpose of Investigation p. 130 Resources p. 131 Investigative Techniques, Procedures, and Tools p. 131 Background Information p. 132 Photographs p. 132 Inspecting the Scene and the Vehicles p. 133 Inspecting the Scene p. 133 Inspecting the Vehicles p. 136 Analytical Resources, Skills, and Methods p. 137 The Drawing p. 137 Distance, Speed, and Time p. 138 Momentum p. 140 Work and Energy p. 141 Force, Mass, and Acceleration p. 142 The Simple Case: Maximum Braking p. 143 The Not-so-Simple Case: Less Than Full Braking p. 144 Center of Mass p. 145 Coefficient of Friction p. 146 Collision Dynamics p. 147 Trajectory p. 147

5 Impact Analysis p. 148 Analysis of Variance p. 148 Sequence of Events p. 149 The Report p. 149 Formal Reports p. 149 Other Report Types p. 150 Beyond the Report: Examples of Increased Safety as a Result of Forensic Investigations p. 150 Tom Prewitt's Work: Perception of Sirens p. 150 Front-axle Brakes on "Bob" Tractors p. 150 Suspension Bolt Recall p. 151 Case Studies p. 151 Rear-end Case Study p. 151 Right-angle Case Study p. 156 References p. 157 Transportation Disaster Investigation p. 159 Introduction p. 159 History p. 159 First Fatal Aircraft Accident p. 159 Need for an Aviation Accident Authority p. 160 The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) p. 161 Accident Investigation Methodology p. 162 U.S. Experience in Accident Investigation p. 162 The Investigation "Team" and "Party" Concept p. 164 The Concept--How it Works p. 164 Members of the Typical Investigation Team p. 167 Procedures for the Investigative Team p. 174 The Public Hearing: Applying the "Party" Concept p. 175 Public Hearing: a Continuing Phase of the Investigation p. 175 Designation of Parties to the Hearing p. 177 Introduction of Evidence Into the Record: Witness Questioning Procedures p. 177 Compilation and Use of the Evidence p. 178 The Report p. 178 A Case History: Air Florida Potomac River Accident p. 179 Description of the Accident p. 179 The Investigation p. 179 Operations Group Investigation p. 179 Witness Group Report p. 185 Weather Group Report p. 188 Air Traffic Control Group Report p. 190 Airport Group Report p. 193 Power Plant Group Report p. 195

6 Structures Group Report p. 196 Systems Group Report p. 204 Survival Factors Group Report p. 204 Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder Group Report p. 207 Performance Group Report p. 210 Human Performance Report p. 212 Maintenance Records Group Report p. 212 Selected Findings and Conclusions p. 213 Findings p. 213 Probable Cause p. 216 Recommendations p. 216 Response from the FAA to NTSB Recommendations p. 217 Further Recommendations p. 219 The Purpose of Investigation: Prevention of Accidents p. 219 References p. 221 Civil Engineering Investigation p. 223 Introduction p. 223 Qualifications of the Investigator p. 228 Activities in the Investigative Process p. 233 The Investigative Team p. 234 Site Investigation and Sample Collection p. 236 General p. 236 Equipment p. 237 Written Record of Observations p. 237 Photography p. 240 Sample Removal p. 240 Eyewitness Accounts p. 241 Field Tests--Structural Investigations p. 242 General p. 242 Load Tests p. 242 Instrumentation p. 242 Dimensional Measurements p. 244 Concrete and Masonry Materials p. 246 Metal Materials p. 246 Wood Material p. 246 Weld Testing p. 247 Water and Air Penetration, Heat Loss p. 247 Subsurface Investigation p. 248 Field Tests--Geotechnical Investigations p. 248 General p. 248 Borings and Penetration Tests p. 249

7 Test Pits p. 249 In-place Strength Tests p. 250 Load Tests p. 250 Instrumentation p. 250 Dimensional Measurements p. 250 Seismic Tests p. 250 Document Collection and Review p. 250 General p. 250 Project-specific Documents p. 251 Research Documents p. 251 Theoretical Analyses p. 254 Laboratory Tests p. 255 General p. 255 Structural Laboratory Tests p. 256 Component or Mockup Load Tests p. 256 Concrete Materials p. 256 Resistance to Environmental Attack p. 256 Metal Materials p. 256 Masonry Materials p. 256 Wood Materials p. 258 Subsurface Tests and Nondestructive Weld Testing p. 258 Model Tests p. 258 Water and Air Penetration, Heat Loss p. 260 Scanning Electron Microscope Examination p. 260 Geotechnical Laboratory Tests p. 260 Soil Classification p. 260 Strength Tests p. 260 Water-related Tests p. 262 Groundwater Tests p. 262 Others p. 262 Failure Hypotheses, Data Analyses, Formation of Conclusions p. 262 Determination of Procedural Responsibilities p. 265 Reports p. 266 References p. 268 Environmental Systems Failures p. 271 Introduction p. 271 Purpose and Scope of Investigations p. 272 Functions of the Environmental Systems Forensic Engineer (ESFE) p. 272 Client Relationships p. 274 Fields of Practice p. 276 Qualifications of the ESFE p. 277

8 Techniques p. 278 Tools p. 280 Tools in the Field p. 280 Tools in the Office p. 282 Associated Disciplines p. 284 Change in the Industry p. 286 Case Histories p Story Office Building, San Francisco, California p. 287 Complaint p. 287 System p. 288 Problem p. 289 Investigation p. 292 Conclusions p Story Office Building, San Jose, California p. 294 Complaint p. 295 System p. 295 Problem p. 296 Investigation p. 296 Conclusions p. 297 Three-Story County Administration Building, Central California p. 298 Complaint p. 298 System p. 298 Investigation p. 299 Conclusions p. 300 Conclusions p. 302 References p. 304 The Report p. 305 Basic Notions p. 305 Thinking and Planning p. 307 Reasons for Writing p. 308 The Audience p. 309 Substance p. 311 Investigation/Preparation p. 314 Conducting the Investigation p. 316 Data Distillation and Distribution p. 317 Outline Building p. 319 Writer's Block p. 322 A Few Helpful Ground Rules p. 324 Delivery p. 325 Writing p. 325 Forensic Photogrammetry p. 327

9 Introduction p. 327 Photographic Testimony p. 329 Photographic Techniques p. 329 Cameras p. 329 SLR Camera Lenses p. 333 Additional Accessory Items p. 336 Measurements From Photographs p. 337 Reference Scales p. 337 Macro Photogrammetric Scale p. 338 Perspective Grid Technique p. 340 Reconstruction Methods p. 342 Two-dimensional Reconstruction Methods p. 342 Two-dimensional Reconstruction without a Scale p. 346 Three-dimensional Reconstruction from a Single Image p. 348 Reverse Projection p. 348 Multiple-image Methods p. 350 Darkroom Procedures p. 351 Record Keeping p. 351 Role of the Imaging Expert p. 354 Guidelines for Effective Forensic Photography p. 357 References p. 358 The Engineer as an Expert Witness p. 361 Introduction p. 361 Ethical Considerations p. 362 Claim Analysis p. 363 Discovery p. 363 Interrogatories p. 364 Depositions p. 364 Preparation for Trial, Arbitration, or Mediation Proceedings p. 367 Rules of Evidence p. 369 Relevancy p. 369 Hearsay p. 370 Exceptions to Hearsay p. 370 Privileged Communications p. 372 The Trial p. 373 Preparing for a Court Appearance p. 373 Direct Examination p. 374 Cross-examination p. 376 Re-direct and Re-Cross-examination p. 377 Summary p. 378 Alternative Dispute Resolution p. 378

10 Mediation p. 378 Minitrial p. 379 Disputes Review Board p. 379 Arbitration p. 380 Acknowledgments p. 380 References p. 381 Conclusion p. 383 ICED/ASFE Recommended Practices p. 385 Index p. 391 Table of Contents provided by Blackwell's Book Services and R.R. Bowker. Used with permission.