Three NAFE Past Presidents discuss the specialty we call Forensic Engineering. They outline the qualifications, challenges, and opportunities for well-qualified engineers and scientists.
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This seminar will review the different types of reports prepared by Forensic Engineers and how they may be used for different purposes. The scope, organization, and required elements will be discussed. Tips and recommendations are included.
ASTM E3176-20 Standard Guide for Forensic Engineering Expert Reports will be introduced as well. Some examples are used to illustrate effective techniques for communicating engineering to non-engineers.
Mr. Ofori-Amanfo is a Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer and the Owner and Principal Engineer of Collins Forensics, LLC. Prior to establishing Collins Forensics, LLC, Mr. Ofori-Amanfo previously worked for many years at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), Illinois Department of Transportation and Twin City Testing Corporation. He received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana and his M.S. degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Mr. Ofori-Amanfo is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois. His broad-based experience includes investigation of collapsed/failing structures, investigation of construction defects and resulting damage, investigation of condensation in building envelopes, evaluation of roof and wall leakage, field water testing of windows and waterproofing systems, and assessment of wind and hail damage to buildings. His work also involves giving expert testimony and assisting attorneys in resolving disputes over construction and materials-related problems.
This discussion was developed for the engineer new to the forensic field and trying to get established. Your reputation as a veteran expert witness will have clients calling you, but how do you start out? A legal team has to be confident you will be admitted “as an expert” before they will give you the chance to prove yourself. One way to build the credentials is to be published in related subjects and give presentations. Peer-reviewed work is often seen as definitively establishing expertise. This presentation will walk you through getting published, then uses the Journal of the National Academy of Engineers as an example of how to tailor your writing for a specific publication.
Bart Kemper, P.E.
Bart Kemper, PE is a Louisiana-based mechanical engineer with over 25 years of industrial and forensic experience and a civil background through the US Army Corps of Engineers. Kemper’s winding career path developed expertise in pressure vessels, marine and subsea engineering, plastic engineering, life-safety applications, medical devices, human factors, and numerical modeling. He is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve.
This Ethics Presentation will address the ethical challenges a
Professional Engineer faces in the world of Forensics by addressing
the following topics:
- Ethics, specifically Engineering Ethics as defined by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics.
- Real-World examples of ethical challenges by reviewing the NSPE Board of Ethical Review cases
- The Professional Engineer as a Forensic Engineer/Expert Witness challenged by other professions whose ethics are not in line with the NSPE Code of Ethics.
Mr Samuel Sudler, PE, IntPE, CFEI, CVFI
Mr. Sudler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He specializes in analyzing the failure of electrical components and systems, electrical faults and malfunctions, as well as possible failure modes. Mr. Sudler has more than 10 years of experience relating to industrial and manufacturing facilities installing, commissioning, programming, troubleshooting, and repairing low-voltage to high-voltage electrical equipment. This combined experience gives Mr. Sudler the unique ability to conduct a Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) as it relates to equipment failures, electric shock/electrocution, electrical fires or industrial accidents. Furthermore, his distinctive background and “real world” experience has allowed him to successfully conduct investigations concerning numerous consumer and vehicle products produced by leading manufacturers in product liability litigation.
Virtual inspections have become an essential tool for moving critical investigations forward while complying with travel and business restrictions and protecting the health and safety of all involved. During this presentation, the presenters will explore a range of tools and techniques used to perform virtual or remote laboratory work, incorporating in-depth input from multiple remote participants in real-time, with only the minimum staff needed to be physically present in the laboratory. The presenters will also discuss the advantages and limitations of several different approaches to remote laboratory work, including the sharing of audio, video, and still photographs, and identify best practices for organizing virtual inspections.
A chemist by training, Dr. Sanchez’s background encompasses both materials synthesis and characterization, specializing in the analysis of lithium-ion batteries and renewable energy catalytic processes. During his time at Exponent, Dr. Sanchez has worked on evaluating current and next-generation battery and energy storage technologies via quality analysis, performance and accelerated lifetime testing, cell design/materials evaluation and failure analysis. Dr. Sanchez is also skilled in a variety of both destructive and non-destructive characterization techniques, which he has applied to a variety of industries, including consumer electronics, chemicals, medical devices, transportation and aerospace. Besides his primary foci in high-resolution computed tomography X-ray (CT) scanning and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Dr. Sanchez also has extensive experience in various electrochemical, microscopy, material properties and spectroscopic techniques.