Engineering Inc. - November/December 2009 - 21

T he work can be dirty and unpleasant. It can involve long hours and tedious work that you would never see in a show like CSI. rAndy down down ForenSic enGineerinG, inc. Engineers with Forensic Analysis & Engineering Corp. helped investigate the cause of this road failure. correctly or how a set of circumstances or human actions affected the outcome.” Forensic investigations typically require a wide body of professional understanding, from ethics and law, to design, to business, to engineering. Some investigations require the help of outside engineers or those with specific expertise. Regardless, “it pays to have a few gray hairs,” says Pence. “Just because something is a technical violation of codes or standards, or a system didn’t work exactly right, doesn’t mean that it’s entirely at fault for the problem. That’s where experience, training and knowledge come in. That’s where the real detective work begins.” Engineering Answers The boom in forensic engineering has accompanied an incredible advance in science and technology. Not only have computers and new devices made it possible to reconstruct scenes and create elaborate dig- T he technology is making it easier to do our job well. We’re able to uncover more evidence and measure it faster and better. roBErt KochAn ForenSic AnALySiS & enGineerinG corP. ital models and simulations, such advances also have put powerful tools in the hands of specialists who can survey a site more thoroughly now than ever before. Fiberoptic cameras allow engineers to peer between walls and floor spaces, vibration sensors can measure a structure’s stability, and X-rays can test the strength of steel and concrete. The equipment is not only more sophisticated, but also smaller. Light sensors, decibel meters, fluoroscopes, digital calipers, portable stereomicroscopes and an array of other high-tech tools now are available as portable handheld devices and are capable of providing quick and effective measurements on the spot. “The technology is making it easier to do our job well,” Kochan says. “We’re able to uncover more evidence and measure it faster and better.” Despite such advances, he says, forensics remains by and large a hands-on process, and the vast majority of analysis still takes place in a controlled environment. Managing cases and clients requires more than an understanding of technology and good detective skills. Potential clients often seek forensic specialists who will support a predetermined conclusion or build an argument for a court case even in the face of weak evidence. Some practitioners cater only to the legal trade. Nils V. Ericson, principal of the Di Salvo Ericson Group, a Ridgefield, Conn.–based structural engineering firm that handles forensic investigations, says his company is careful about the cases it accepts. The firm typically works with building owners or construction firms—“people who have a genuine interest in finding out what the problem is and fixing it,” he says. Down says that he, too, strives for objectivity and prefers to avoid expertwitness situations and court cases. “It is essential that we remain unbiased so that we can maintain our integrity within the field,” he says. “If the facts don’t support the client, we let them know. Then it’s up to them to decide whether to litigate or settle the case.” In a few situations, Pence says, a client will discard verbal recommendations and ask that the findings not go into a report. “They will tell us not to put anything into writing. They will say, ‘I’m not going to tell anyone that I asked you. I’ll go find someone else.’” Forensic engineering continues to evolve. Government agencies and private industry are increasingly looking to conduct analysis in a more proactive way—to prevent situations like the I-35 bridge collapse. “There usually are signs of a problem before a failure occurs,” Ericson says. “It’s often possible to reinforce the structure or fix the problems before they lead to a full-scale calamity.” One thing is certain: As buildings, bridges, highways, levees and other infrastructure age—and as more design and construction firms collaborate on projects—forensic engineering likely will continue to be a viable business opportunity for firms. Says Pence: “There is a growing awareness of forensic engineering and what it offers. More and more entities are recognizing its value. It has emerged as an essential part of the engineering field.” n Samuel Greengard is a business and technology writer based in West Linn, Ore. NovEmbER / DECEmbER 2009 ENGINEERING INC.

Engineering Inc. - November/December 2009

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