What is forensic engineering?

What is forensic engineering?

Richard Saferstein (Former Chief Forensic Scientist) gives expert video advice on: What is forensic 'pathology'?; What is forensic 'anthropology'?; What is forensic psychiatry? and more...

Forensic engineers bring the skills to bear during the examination of accidents. If a structure fails, for example. If a bridge collapses or a building collapses, the forensic engineer will be brought in to try to make a determination as to why that structure did not live up to its specifications. What caused that structure to fail? Perhaps one of the most interesting examinations conducted by forensic engineers was the collapse of the World Trade Center and the extensive examination of the buildings that were undertaken to determine why they didn't live up to their specifications in terms of their ability to withstand the hideous attack that occurred on September 11th.