ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book talks about forensic engineering as it applies to the analysis of fires and explosions. Regarding fires and explosions, the most frequently posed questions of fact are: where did the fire or explosion start; and what caused it? The terms of art for these questions are, respectively, the determination of the point of origin, and the determination of the cause. The disciplines primarily applied in the analysis of fires and explosions include inorganic and organic chemistry, materials and metallurgy, thermodynamics, physics, heat transfer, machine design, structural engineering, building systems design, electrical engineering, and ergonomics. A familiarity with codes and standards is also required. Sometimes the forensic engineer involved in preparing a fire or explosion analysis is requested to review the report of analysis of the same event by the expert witness for the "other side." This should also be done honestly and professionally.
