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What does a forensic engineer do?

Updated: 9/27/2023
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Forensic engineers use their knowledge of engineering principles, along with their experience in working with them, in examining evidence related to legal matters that must be settled. In this capacity, they investigate cases such as car accidents, mechanical failures and explosions to determine the exact cause.

Analyzing various structural problems

When forensic engineers analyze structures, including bridges or buildings, they are determining why that particular structure collapsed. In the process, they conclude whether poor construction, lack of maintenance or bad weather caused the structural defect.

Analyzing mechanical failures

As part of their training, forensic engineers learn about the possible mechanical failures of several systems, including water pipes, air conditioning and heating. Their goal is to determine what caused a system to fail and if the problem was due to negligence on anyone�s part in order to assign responsibility for what took place.

Analyzing explosions and fires

Some of the cases forensic engineers work on involve explosions and fires and, as in other areas, their task is to determine the exact cause. Their investigations often include fires that take place in homes and cars and devastating explosions that have caused extensive damage.

Analyzing car accidents

Forensic engineers investigate car accidents to find out why the accident happened and which party was At Fault. As a rule, they find themselves reconstructing what took place in order to accomplish this.

Forensic engineers testimony in court and professional ethics

They are often asked to appear in court in order to provide an explanation of their findings in a particular case. Regardless of who has hired them, professional ethics requires them to provide an analysis that is truthful, impartial and totally based on the facts.

Training and income

The minimum requirement for forensic engineers is to have a bachelor�s degree in engineering or a related science, and they are encouraged to acquire an advanced degree and become certified as well. The median annual salary for someone in this position is approximately $90,000.

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Continue Learning about Engineering

What is the average salary of a Forensic Engineer?

The average annual salary for a forensic engineer in the United States is $88,000. The average yearly salary for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $94,000.


What types of cases would a Forensic engineer investigate?

the types that do the one thing on top of it all...


What do forensic engineer do?

Investigate materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property, in order to determine the cause and the origin of failure.


Forensic Engineering?

Individuals who work in forensic engineering take on difficult jobs that can help determine guilt of innocence in the event of mechanical malfunction that leads to personal injury. For this reason, individuals seeking employment in forensic engineering should already possess a thorough knowledge of general engineering, mechanical malfunction and repairs, and a basic knowledge of product liability. Most often, the evidence found in a forensic engineering investigation will be used in civil or criminal law cases, making forensic engineers an important part in the legal proceedings. The father of modern-day forensic science, Dr. Edmond Locard, reasoned that "every contact leaves a trace." This means that when one object touches another object in some way, evidence of some kind exists to prove it. This logic applies to forensic engineering by finding the individual or mechanical error responsible for product malfunction and the resulting personal injury. When a car fails, speeds out of control, and leads to a fatal accident, police conduct routine investigations to determine the cause of the accident. Some investigators will look at skid marks from tires to check for sudden increases or decreases in speed that could have led to the accident, others will examine the condition of the street to check for potholes or other natural occurrences that could have caused it. Forensic engineers will look at the car, examining the condition of the inner workings to determine if a mechanical malfunction caused the car to spiral out of control. A forensic engineer may find any number of things, including a faulty brake line, a broken axle, or a malfunctioning transmission. If a mechanical error caused the accident, a window opens for the victim's family to pursue legal action. Forensic engineers may also uncover faulty mechanics and engineering in factories. If an individual working on an assembly line is hurt during work hours, a forensic engineer will investigate to determine if mechanical malfunction was at fault. This can help the victim in the event of a genuine engineering malfunction, but it can also protect the factory from potential liability issues if the forensic engineer finds no traces of machine error. For this reason, forensic engineers are important to the legal process, helping to determine fault in the event of an accident.


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Related questions

What degree do I need for forensic engineer jobs?

In order to be a forensic engineer you will need a degree in engineering. Forensic engineers deal with traffic accidents, fire damage, and wrongful injury cases.


What is the average salary of a Forensic Engineer?

The average annual salary for a forensic engineer in the United States is $88,000. The average yearly salary for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $94,000.


Finding Forensic Engineer Jobs?

Given the rise in popularity of various forensically minded television shows over the past decade, every field of forensic science has seen a corresponding rise in popularity. Because of this, there are many people applying for a very limited amount of jobs, however forensic engineer jobs do not seem to be getting the major amount of attention that other forensic fields are experiencing. If you feel like you may want to see if you have what it takes to be a forensic engineer, there are a number of things that you need to take into account before you ever start looking into forensic engineer jobs. Remember that forensic engineers need a very intensive background in mathematics to be successful. Their work is often very precise, and will require long hours of concentration.


What types of cases would a Forensic engineer investigate?

the types that do the one thing on top of it all...


What qualifications are required for forensic engineering?

In terms of qualifications required for forensic engineering, the normal, accepted pre-requisites of the numerous professional engineering bodies and which are an absolute essential for practicing as a professional and or chartered engineer, and subsequently as a Forensic Engineer, are recognised and accepted degrees. Most will have post graduate degrees in their discipline, with some being Fellows of their specific body. The Forensic Engineers experience is a major factor in the passing of opinion and the making of judgemental decisions


Are there forensic engineer jobs available in most major cities?

Yes, Forensic Engineers jobs are offered in most major cities. There is actually an abundance of jobs for these engineers. On www.indeed.com there is a lot of job contacts for it.


How much do forensic enginer get paid?

The average engineer could be paid $20,000 - $200,000 depending on where they work and their skill in the job. (how wellthey do)


What are some really good forensic engineer jobs?

Some really good engineer jobs is Donan Engineering and Camber Co. These two jobs will make a good fit for anyone who wants engineering jobs so come a join them.


What jobs involve animals and math?

Jobs that involve animals & math:- Marine BiologistJobs that involve science & math:- Engineer- Geologist- Forensic Scientist-The careers are endless!


What do forensic engineer do?

Investigate materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate or function as intended, causing personal injury or damage to property, in order to determine the cause and the origin of failure.


What the different between forensic science and forensic medicine?

Forensic science is experimental Forensic medicine is empirical.


What are forensic scientists who investigate murder called?

entomologists, forensic scientists, forensic psychologists