Forensic engineering is a business enterprise in which a relatively small number of professional engineers engage. Its proponents say it seeks to improve the quality of engineering, but others say some of its participants are interested only in self-gain. Its critics say forensic engineers in many cases use specious claims and the legal system in the United States to extort unwarranted settlement payments from other professional engineers, private companies and public agencies. This course looks at the social, legal and human factors that underpin the forensic engineering business. It suggests an approach to neutralizing those who engage in forensic engineering for self-gain rather than in search of just conclusions. Upon completion of this course you will have a framework and suggested approach to neutralizing threats posed by practitioners of forensic engineering. You will be prepared to discuss this with your professional colleagues and perhaps cooperate in addressing the ethical issues involved in forensic engineering.

Learning Objectives

• Learn what forensic engineers do
• Learn how forensic engineering is an appendage of the legal system in the United States
• Learn about systems of law in the world and why the common law in the United States is fertile ground for forensic engineers
• Learn about the theories of psychology that can help in understanding the forensic engineering business
• Learn what professional engineers can do to reduce the threat from unprincipled forensic engineering practitioners