"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.
Madden
Accident
Analysis &
Forensic
Engineering
Table of Contents - Definitions of Forensic Engineering
Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed professional 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, as well elsewhere throughout Ohio, and the metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Erie, as well as elsewhere throughout western and central Pennsylvania, and the metropolitan areas of Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Port Huron, as well as elsewhere in southern Michigan, and the metropolitan areas of Buffalo and Syracuse, 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.
Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering, through its Senior Forensic Engineer James D. Madden, P.E., is available for Accident Investigations, Engineering Analyses, Accident Reconstructions, and testimony in deposition, arbitration and trial, for cases located throughout North America.
■ 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)
click on the underlined squares to link to the subjects
Use the Search Box at the left to search the whole website.
Use Control F, 'Ctrl' + 'F', to locate specific words on this page.
for more information,
click on subject listings below
Related Basic Specialties
These Specialties are in a website which will open in a separate tab to the right of the current tab. This website in the current tab and the new website will be available side by side.
If lines of text overlap in this website check the browser zoom setting - reducing the zoom should prevent overlap of lines of text.
If parts of the website are missing or distorted, such as a section of the Left Navigation Bar, or a button, try rebooting the page in the browser, one or more times - click on the circle arrow at the left of the website name [URL].
Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering
over 30 Years Investigating, Analyzing, Reconstructing & Testifying about Accidents
Forensic Engineering & Scientific Accident Reconstruction
Copyright 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 by Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering and James D. Madden, P.E., aka James Madden and Jim Madden.
All rights reserved. This website contains photographs which are licensed with restrictions that prohibit downloading, reproduction, re-publication or re-transmission.
Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering, through its Senior Forensic Engineer, James D. Madden, P.E., a licensed professional 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, with Forensic Engineering work also performed in, and/or for cases in, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Vermont, Kansas and Utah, with testimony in court in Kansas.
Madden Accident Analysis & Forensic Engineering
1700 West Market Street, Suite 318, Akron, Ohio 44313, or
8803 Brecksville Road, Suite 7-216, Cleveland, Ohio 44141
phone: 440-838-1191 or 440-832-9540, fax: 440-838-1192
