| Meeting ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards requires attention to guidelines that lead a forensic engineer to impartial and objective analysis. It’s the only way to meet and surpass expectations as an expert witness in a court of law. Some guidelines many forensics engineers follow…. Maintain Independence: Professional forensic engineers are not influenced by the interests of any party with stakes in the outcome of the case. Therefore, they advocate for the truth based on evidence regardless of who benefits. Thoroughly Examine Evidence: Proper forensic engineering requires all relevant evidence be considered and examined with an unbiased eye and without preconceived notions. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest: A true professional forensics engineer will reveal any factors that may influence their judgement upfront. Such factors may include financial situations, personal interests, or biases. Transparent Methodology: A detailed outline of the techniques, standards, and processes used in an expert’s investigation should be transparent, capable of reproduction, and accessible to all stakeholders in the case. Delineate Limitations: Acknowledge and document any limitations of the investigation. The client should clearly understand what can and cannot be concluded based on the available evidence and analysis. Peer Review: A second pair of qualified eyes can help pick out errors or biases in a forensics report. It is imperative to request peer review whenever and wherever possible. Continuing Education: Reliable forensic engineers keep abreast of the latest developments in the field through continuous education in accordance with industry standards. Likewise, they continuously comply with relevant legal and professional requirements in their jurisdiction. To learn about Haglid Engineering’s forensic services, contact us or view our services page. |
