Forensic Engineering

Forensic investigation of a cracked pavement

Forensic investigation of a failed roof truss

Forensic Engineering

Forensic engineering in the civil engineering industry is the investigation of failures or defects of a structure. It’s about answering why something went wrong — whether it’s a pavement system that’s deteriorating prematurely, a beam that suddenly fractures under typical loading conditions, a retaining wall that collapses, or a drainage system that causes extreme flooding. Civil forensic engineers apply their technical knowledge to real-world problems, often in situations where the findings may be used in legal disputes or insurance claims. The ultimate goal is to determine the root cause of the problem. Additionally, forensic engineers may be required to determine the extent of damage to a structure from an unexpected event such as a fire, or from a weather event, such as a tornado or hurricane, and also to outline how the structure can be repaired.

The Scientific Method

Civil forensic engineering is investigative by nature and relies heavily on the scientific method:

Collecting Information – Receiving the scope of work from the client and reviewing preliminary information on the structure, such as aerial photographs and county auditor information.
Field Inspection – Visiting the site to interview the point of contact(s) and collect witness statements. Performing an interior/exterior inspection in order to observe and measure conditions, document evidence with photographs or drones, and collect material samples if needed.
Report Writing – Preparing a clear, evidence-based report that summarizes findings and references applicable codes, standards, or guidelines. Part of this process includes reviewing project plans, specifications, inspection reports by others, and maintenance logs, Additionally, based on the scope of work, researching weather data may be required. Potential causes may require engineering calculations, design checks, computer modeling, or laboratory testing. Because failures often have multiple contributing factors or limited evidence may be present, conclusions are expressed with levels of certainty. The framework of using terminology such as "possible, probably, definitive" is used to help clients and courts understand how confident the engineer is in their conclusions.
Peer Review – Having conclusions checked by other qualified engineers to ensure technical accuracy and objectivity.

Civil Engineering Forensic Disciplines

Structural – Investigating failures of bridges, buildings, retaining walls, or specific components of a structure, such as the failure of a beam, column, or connection.
Geotechnical – Examining soil instability, foundation movement and settlement, pavement damage, slope failures, erosion, or inadequate compaction.
Transportation – Focuses on roadway and traffic-related failures that contribute to accidents, reduced safety, or premature deterioration. This can include design issues such as inadequate sight distance, pedestrian and bicycle facility hazards, construction issues such as inadequate drainage, operational problems related to work zone traffic control
Utility Infrastructure – Studying breaks or failures in water, sewer, stormwater, or other underground utility systems. Investigating drainage failures, culvert issues, or underperforming utility systems.
Construction – Analyzing project scheduling delays, cost overruns, workmanship deficiencies, safety violations, or contract disputes. These investigations often require reviewing construction records, schedules, change orders, and daily logs to determine responsibility for delays or cost impacts.
failures, erosion, or inadequate compaction.
Building Envelope - Investigating failures or deficiencies of exterior building systems. This may include roof inspections, façade assessments, and water intrusion investigations. While some aspects overlap with architectural investigations, civil and structural engineers often lead these assessments to evaluate compliance with codes and standards.

Investigation Tools

Visual Inspection – The first step in most investigations, involving detailed on-site observation, photography, and note-taking.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) – Techniques such as ground-penetrating radar, infrared thermography, and rebound hammer testing allow engineers to evaluate materials and structures without causing damage.
Material Sampling & Laboratory Testing – Collecting concrete cores, soil samples, or other materials for laboratory analysis to determine strength, composition, or degradation.
Surveying & Measurement Tools – Using laser scanners, drones, and GPS equipment to capture precise dimensions, deformation, or settlement.

Forensic investigation of a cracked concrete masonry wall

Forensic investigation of a compromised retaining wall

Coming Soon: Introduction to Forensic Engineering Certificate Course!

Advance your civil engineering expertise with our upcoming Introduction to Forensic Engineering course. Learn how to analyze failures, evaluate evidence, and prepare expert reports — and earn a certificate that demonstrates your knowledge in this field.