Forensic engineering

Forensic Engineering

Forensic engineering is a specific field of engineering which adopts a scientific, evidence-based approach to investigating and identifying the most likely cause(s) of a failure.  For building structures, the 'failure' often relates to excessive building movements or vibrations; damage or degradation to the building fabric, moisture ingress to internal areas; structural instability or collapse; and others.
Forensic engineering is usually practiced by senior engineers with significant experience in their respective field of expertise.  Essential competencies of a Forensic Structural Engineer include experience in design and construction; a logical and structured approach to forensic investigation; and the ability to present the pertinent findings of the investigation in a professional report which may potentially be subject to technical scrutiny.