Forensic engineering involves investigating engineering failures to determine the cause. It seeks to understand why structures, machines, or vehicles failed to function properly. Forensic engineers collect evidence, observe crime scenes, analyze materials using scientific knowledge, and write reports of their findings. Their work helps prevent future failures and determine if failures were accidental or intentional. A case study describes an accident where a vehicle overturned due to sudden brake failure, which forensic investigation determined was a mechanical engineering issue.

2. FORENSIC
ENGINEERING
-ANUSHKA MUKHERJEE
VOLUNTEER IN APPLIED FORENSIC RESEARCH SCIENCES

3. CONTENT
o Learning outcome
o Introduction
o Purpose
o Types of failure
o Tasks and responsibilities
o Investigation process
o Importance
o Case study
o Conclusion

4. LEARNING OUTCOME
o Excel knowledge in Forensic Engineering
o Understand the role of Forensic Engineers
o Learn how Forensic Engineers investigate a crime scene

5. INTRODUCTION
Forensic engineering is the study of failures or other performance issues using
engineering concepts. It also seeks to figure out why a structure or machine
was damaged. Forensic engineering is the process of applying reverse
engineering to determine why a component, building, or machine failed to
function properly. In other words, forensic engineering is concerned with
determining what went wrong. Forensic engineering also include testifying in
court on the findings of these investigations.

6. PURPOSE
oInspect engineering failures to prevent it.
oPublish information regarding the reasons of failure.
oAfford guidelines on how to proceed failure investigations.
oInvestigate whether the cause of the accident is really because of
engineering failure or someone is behind it.

7. TYPES OF FAILURE
Mechanical train failure
Mechanical airplane failure
Spaceship failure Mechanical automobile failure
Staircase failure
SOURCE : GOOGLE

8. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
 Collecting evidence from crime scene
Observe the crime scene
Using scientific knowledge to determine the cause of the failure
Write official report regarding the crime scene
To manage the replacement of the infrastructure or automobile.
To see if any living being is wounded or dead
To see whether that living being was dead due to the engineering failure or not

9. INVESTIGATION PROCESS
Collection of
preliminary
information
Inspection and
sampling
Photographic
documentation
Non-
destructive
tests
Mechanical
tests
Testing of
chemical and
mechanical
characterization
of the materials
Macrographic
analysis
Fractographic
analysis

10. IMPORTANCE
To locate the cause of failure of any engineered structure.
Helps in improvement of a structure in the long run
Investigates intellectual property claims also
Helps to investigate whether proper materials are used in the construction or not

11. CASE STUDY
Capt. Paramdeep Singh V. Union Of India
On 02/12/1989, the petitioner was himself driving the official vehicle
and was proceeding from one battalion to another. When he reached
near Pathar Sahib Gurudwara which is on Leh-Kargil road, the vehicle
turned upside down and an accident was caused on the hilly terrain.
The petitioner along with other officials were injured. During
investigation, it was found that the cause of the accident is due to
sudden brake failure which is a mechanical engineering failure.

12. CONCLUSION
It is a wide and multi-disciplinary field which requires a lot of knowledge not only
in the forensic background but also in the engineering background. The
investigators need to investigate the aerial view of the crime scene to estimate the
cause of the failure. Also they need to look into the matter whether any person or
animal got injured or not and whether the cause of the injury is the engineering
failure or not. In case of arson cases, they also have to look into the matter from
where the fire started, whether it is a short-circuit or a planned process.