ABSTRACT
Forensic engineers provide services in a setting that is foreign to n-iost engineers. Most engineers cornrnunicate with their colleagues using the shared language of calculations, moduli, stresses, and strains. Forensic engineers speak to a broader audience con~posed of !a.ivyers and lay people with litt!e knowledge of engineering. The typical engineer tries to understand the causes of failure in order to design remedial measures or to avoid future failures. In contrast, in a legal proceeding, the forensic engineer's opinion may be relied on by others to assign blame. Because the engineer's testimony or work product may be presented in a legal proceeding, the forensic engineer should be generally familiar with legal proceedings and with what is expected of an expert witness.
