ASTM E2713-11

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Designation: E2713 − 11
Standard Guide to
Forensic Engineering
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2713; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope other countries may be similar. Commercial use of the terms
“engineer”and“engineering”areregulatedbystateandfederal
1.1 This guide provides an introductory reference to the
law; this document uses these terms only to describe a
professional practice of forensic engineering, and discusses the
technical discipline, and not to confer title or status. Courts
typical roles and qualifications of practitioners.
maydecidethatindividualswithqualificationsotherthanthose
1.2 This international standard was developed in accor-
described herein can testify as experts in forensic engineering.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.3 Certain forensic engineering investigations of incidents
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and claims may be related to the behavior or condition of one
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
or more physical systems, or the manner in which they were
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
used. These investigations may also be related to compliance
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
inspections, subrogation, litigation, and other activities. It is
2. Referenced Documents
important to note that some incidents may be considered
alleged, particularly when objective proof of their occurrence
2.1 ASTM Standards:
is not apparent.
E2493 Guide for the Collection of Non-Volatile Memory
Data in Evidentiary Vehicle Electronic Control Units
4.4 Suggested additional readings are listed in Appendix
X1.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: CHARACTERISTICS OF
FORENSIC ENGINEERING PRACTICE
3.1.1 expert, n—an individual with specialized knowledge,
skills, and abilities acquired through appropriate education,
training, and experience. 5. Individual Characteristics
3.1.2 forensic engineering, n—the application of the art and
5.1 Typical Qualifications:
science of engineering in matters which are, or may possibly
5.1.1 The equivalent of a Bachelor degree or Bachelor of
relate to, the jurisprudence system, inclusive of alternative
Science degree, or graduate degree, in engineering, from an
dispute resolution.
appropriately accredited college or university program. De-
National Academy of Forensic Engineers
grees obtained from accredited engineering programs typically
include education in the areas of advanced mathematics, the
4. Significance and Use
theoretical and practical study of physical sciences, the design
4.1 This guide is intended as a foundation for other E58
of physical systems, and logical reasoning. Note that forensic
Committee standards that are focused on specific technical
engineeringitselfisnotaseparatedisciplineofengineering—it
disciplines, for example Guide E2493.
is an application of engineering, as defined above.
4.2 The emphasis of this guide is on the practice of forensic
5.1.2 State licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in one
engineeringintheUnitedStates,thoughelementsofpracticein or more disciplines of engineering. It is noted, however, that
there are many disciplines of engineering (for example,
1 biomedical, ceramic) for which PE licensure is not offered.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E58 on Forensic
Engineering and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E58.01 on General
Licensure is available for the engineering disciplines that most
Practice.
commonly pertain to public works (chemical, civil, electrical,
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2011. Published December 2011. DOI:
mechanical, etc.), though each state may vary the disciplines
10.1520/E2713-11.
offered for licensure. Some states require PE licensure as a
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
preconditionforpracticingcertainaspectsofforensicengineer-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
ing. Current requirements for attaining a PE license typically
the ASTM website.
3 include the following elements; these requirements also vary
Available from National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE), 174 Brady
Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532, http://www.nafe.org. by state:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2713 − 11
5.1.2.1 An engineering degree as described above, or investigative scope of the case. Physical systems may have
equivalency recognized by the state licensing board. State different elements that could be analyzed in a particular
licensing boards may also require post-graduate coursework. investigation; experience would show that analysis of many of
5.1.2.2 At least four years of professional experience in these elements would provide information not relevant to the
investigation. This is revealed in the prescriptive standardized
engineering. Depending upon the state, experience credit may
be given for earning a masters degree or doctorate; conversely, analysis procedures of certain scientific and technical
additional experience may be required for those with educa- disciplines, which attempt to focus on relevant elements of
tional credentials outside those previously discussed. predictably-behaving systems, and to analyze them in a con-
sistent manner. When appropriate standardized procedures do
5.1.2.3 Successfully passing two nationally standardized
eight-hour examinations on the fundamentals, principles, and not exist, engineers rely on their education, training, and
experience to craft an investigative plan, sometimes under
practices of engineering.
5.1.3 Possible professional certification in one or more unique, transitory, or potentially adverse incident site condi-
tions that may preclude testing and peer review
fields of technical knowledge. Such certifications typically
follow advanced study or experience in the field, or both. A
5.2.4.2 Rigor—Engineering requires a certain level of rigor
certification board may require some or all of the following
for any analysis method in use. For complex physical systems,
elements:
advanced and meticulous analysis methods may be
5.1.3.1 Discipline-specific evidence of professional compe-
appropriate—but likely only for analyzing certain portions of
tence. the system; other portions may be comparatively simple to
5.1.3.2 Professional references. analyze. Selection of appropriate levels of rigor should take
5.1.3.3 Examination(s). into account the standards to which the system was held
5.1.3.4 Evidence of periodic continuing education. preceding the incident, the standards of care that may exist for
conducting such investigations, and the robustness of support
5.1.4 Participation in engineering professional societies in
(for opinions) that such rigor will provide.
the engineer’s area of practice and interest. Membership
grades (such as associate, member, senior member, fellow)
5.2.4.3 Comment—Each forensic engineering investigation
mayvarydependinguponyearsofpracticeandotherelements. is unique and may evolve in direction and complexity. In this
5.1.5 Significant experience in one or more technical fields.
scenario, the engineer may decide to pursue a course of
analysis that is tangential to his or her existing experience—
5.2 Elements of the Practice of Forensic Engineering:
generally, this is how experience is gained. Engineering
5.2.1 The preliminary scope of an investigation is agreed
training (in critical thinking, logic, reason, and physics) pro-
upon by the engineer and court or client, and the scope may
vides the foundation for conducting both the straightforward
evolve as the investigation progresses. Legal issues may
and the tangential analyses with a reliance on established
significantly affect the investigative scope. Regardless, engi-
engineering principles; the same training informs the decision
neers are not advocates for any particular party or outcome in
to initiate further research or to seek the advice of peers.
a claim or legal action. The guiding principle is to use the
5.2.5 Forensicengineeringinvestigationsmayinvolveitems
knowledge imparted by their education, training and experi-
of evidence. Inspections of this evidence should be done in a
ence to conduct an investigation that results in considered,
manner that minimizes the alteration or destruction, or both, of
reasonable, defensible, and logically based opinions on the
such evidence and the information it contains, and that also
specifics of the incident.
takes into consideration the interests of other involved parties
5.2.2 Contingency fee-based investigations are unethical, as
in conducting their own inspections. Various penalties may be
outcome-based compensation may affect the reliability of the
incurred for evidence spoliation. Standardized procedures for
engineer’s opinions.
conducting inspections should be used, when appropriate.
5.2.3 Engineers should stay within their area of expertise. It
is important to note, however, that an experienced engineer
6. Forensic Engineering Practice in the Community
typically has a broad area of expertise, based on the logical
focusofengineeringeducationandbasedonthecommonalities
6.1 Engineers in General:
that are inherent in the properties and behaviors of physical
6.1.1 Engineers have a unique role within society, as they
systems.
are largely responsible for most tangible, functional human-
5.2.4 The engineer’s education, training, and experience are
made or processed components within the society. For
notably applied in the determination of appropriate tasks and
example, creators of roadways, bridges,
...