ABSTRACT
The forensic engineering expert will implicitly acknowledge that courts require impartial, objective evidence, presented in a formal manner. The expert report is a document that may be disclosed to the opposing side in the hope of reaching an out-of-court settlement. The court will typically order a meeting of experts before the trial date, with the sole aim of airing both issues in dispute, and points of contention. Examination and cross-examination in a court will probe the experience of the investigator, and his or her qualifications to deal with the problem at hand. In the courtroom, the forensic engineering expert will be required to qualify his education, training and experience in the engineering disciplines involved. The forensic engineering expert will implicitly acknowledge that courts require impartial, objective evidence, presented in a formal manner. Despite critical commentary made in real time, the expert must maintain a level of dignity expected of the engineering profession.
