Forensic Engineers Curriculum

Forensic Engineering Curriculum Committee Summary Report
Introduction
In April 1997, the President of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers appointed a Forensic Engineering Curriculum Committee.The committee's responsibility was to develop guidelines for university courses in forensic engineering. The NAFE Board of Directors approved the curriculum on July 30, 2000. The guidelines are to be made available to universities for helping in the development of new courses in forensic engineering or adding a forensic engineering component to existing courses.

Forensic Engineering
Forensic engineering is a highly specialized field of engineering practice requiring engineering expertise and knowledge of legal procedures. Forensic engineering can be defined as the application of the engineering sciences to the investigation of failures or other performance problems. Some forensic engineering projects or cases require sworn testimony in a court of law or legal proceeding. Thus, forensic engineers must work in both the engineering and legal arenas. From an engineering perspective, forensic engineering deals with the investigation and reconstruction of failures in buildings, structures, facilities, vehicles, and other engineered systems. From a legal perspective, forensic engineering is a fact-finding mission to learn the most probable cause or causes of a failure. Forensic engineering requires both scientific skills and high ethical standards. Forensic engineers must be expert in their field and impartial in the investigation process. **

Need for Forensic Engineering Education?
There are at least four reasons why there are no formal forensic engineering degree programs offered at universities in this country. First, forensic engineering is not a standard engineering discipline like mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. Forensic engineering encompasses many disciplines, and it is not easy to offer multi-disciplinary courses which cross traditional engineering boundaries. Second, forensic engineering is not a widely known field outside the profession. Third, universities have not seen the need to include failure analysis in traditional engineering programs. Finally, and most important, the demand for forensic engineers is not high when compared with standard engineering disciplines. Still, there exists a need for some form of university education in forensic engineering to help train engineers that are new to the profession. Several universities do offer a single, elective graduate course in forensic engineering. Four such courses are identified below:

A Formal Degree Program?
Due to the specialized nature of forensic engineering, any forensic engineering degree program should begin at the Masters Degree level. It is doubtful, however, that any university would be willing to commit the resources needed to develop a formal Masters Degree Program in Forensic Engineering. Most graduate faculty are involved in sponsored research, not engineering practice, and the demand for graduates is limited. The best approach is to work within existing graduate degree programs already in place. For example, most universities today have graduate degree programs in interdisciplinary engineering where a student can structure a graduate program of special interest within two or more engineering departments. One of the main strengths of an interdisciplinary program is the ability to tailor the program to the needs and strengths of the individual student and their specific background. This is especially important in the field of forensic engineering where an electrical engineering student will have very different expertise compared to a mechanical engineering technology student. An interdisciplinary forensic engineering program would allow for both students to be trained equally well. Prospective students should hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering, engineering technology, or other engineering science discipline that can lead to registration as a professional engineer. Although not required, several years engineering experience and qualification for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination would be a plus.

Capabilities of Graduates
Graduates of the program will not be experienced forensic engineers and will not be qualified immediately to take on complex investigative or litigation projects. Graduates will, however, understand the complex relationship that exists between engineering and the American legal system and know how to conduct forensic engineering investigations according to the scientific method and recommended engineering practice. Additionally, graduates will think critically and communicate with clarity and precision both orally and in writing. Furthermore, graduates will be employable in a forensic engineering setting with little on-the-job training required.

Recommended Plan of Study
The plan of study should consist of a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit as described below and conform to the requirements of the graduate school of the university where the degree is awarded.Core Courses (15 semester hours): A core of 15 semester hours in applied forensic engineering course work is required. Universities can meet this requirement by employing adjunct faculty who are practicing forensic engineers and using university faculty who are part-time consulting forensic engineers.

Required Supporting Courses (nine semester hours):
Nine semester hours in supporting course work are required. This requirement can be met with existing courses available at most universities.

Elective Courses (nine semester hours): Nine semester hours in closely related engineering electives are required. Courses listed below are typical courses available at many universities. The list is not exhaustive. Other courses may also be available.

Methods of integrating the following and similar practical experiences into the plan of study should be considered:

• Court experience where expert engineering testimony is given.
• Deposition experience where expert engineering testimony is given.
• A relevant co-op or internship.
• Membership in at least one professional engineering society that can be related to forensic engineering.
  

** Reference: Guidlines for Failure Investigation, American Society of Civil Engineers, 1989.

Final Report of the Forensic Engineering Curriculum Committee
The Final Report of the Forensic Engineering Curriculum Committee contains detailed course descriptions, course outlines in ABET format, and qualifications of the faculty. University curriculum planners may obtain a free copy of the Final Report by contacting:

Marvin M. Specter, P.E., L.S., Executive Director
174 Brady Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532
e-mail: nafe@nafe.org 
TOLL FREE TEL (866.NAFE.ORG) (866.623.3674) TOLL FREE TEL (866.741.0633) TOLL FREE FAX (877.741.0633)

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National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)
Last update: 09/26/2000