scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Critique Of The Methodology Eliminating Fire Cause Possibilities

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Heat Energy ◽  
Electrical Failure ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Fire Scene ◽  
Rotary Switch ◽  
Possible Cause ◽  
Heat Released ◽  
Fire Cause ◽  
Nfpa 921

In A Case Involving A Residential Fire With Fatalities, Plaintiff Experts Alleged That The Fire Originated In A Bedroom As A Result Of An Electrical Failure In An Oscillating Pedestal Fan. At The Time Of The Fire, The Fan Was Plugged Into A Six Foot Extension Cord That Was Lying On The Floor Under The Bed And Plugged Into A Standard 115 Volt Duplex Receptacle. The Plaintiffs, Specific In Their Allegations, Opined That The Failure Occurred In The Rotary Switch That Controlled The Speed Of The Fan Even Though No Physical Evidence Of A Failure Of That Nature Was Identified Or Collected During The Analyses Of The Fire Scene. Since No Physical Evidence Of A Failure Was Identified, Nfpa 921, Guide For Fire & Explosion Investigations, Requires That All Other Potential Ignition Sources In The Area Of Origin Be Eliminated As A Possible Cause. Plaintiffs Eliminated The Power Cord For The Fan, The Extension Cord And The Cord Plug And Cord Receptacle Connection Under The Theory That The Material Was Pvc With A Vw-1 Fire Rating. Plaintiffs Testified That The Self Extinguishing Characteristics Of Vw-1 Material Were Such That, Even With An Electrical Failure In One Of Those Components That Resulted In The Ignition Of The Material, There Would Be Insufficient Heat Released To Ignite The Box Spring For The Bed. Plaintiffs Also Eliminated Improperly Discarded Smoking Material As A Potential Cause.Efendants Were In Sharp Disagreement With Plaintiff Case In Chief Regarding The Elimination Of The Vw-1 Materials As A Potential Fire Cause, Since The Material Will Combust In Situations With A Sustained Electrical Fault. Defendants Conducted Tests Which Not Only Demonstrated An Electrical Failure With Ignition At The Extension Cord Plug Receptacle Interface, But Also That The Burning Vw-1 Pvc Released Sufficient Heat Energy To Ignite A Box Spring Similar To The Box Spring Involved In The Fire. The Results Of Those Tests Assisted In The Resolution Of The Case Prior To Trial.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Experience with Electrically Ignited Fires

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Boyell
Keyword(s):  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Electrical Failure ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Forensic Engineering

After a fire that may have been caused by an electrical defect or malfunction, significant physical evidence is often what was most destroyed in the fire. The evidence void might be filled with fire investigators’ inference or speculation that the cause was a specific electrical failure. This paper illustrates two fires in which the initial reconstructions claiming electrical ignition were subsequently found to be wrong. In one case, an investigator drew a conclusion about an extension cord from a floor fire pattern, and this interpretation was refuted when further evidence was unearthed. Investigators on another case retained evidence to support an obviously defective room air conditioner. However, the unit later was shown to be only a victim of the fire, and the needed evidence had been lost. Both cases involved extensive litigation.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of an Explosion Allegedly Caused by an Overfilled Propane Cylinder

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry R. Tindal
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Legal Proceedings ◽  
Building Fire ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Fire And Explosion ◽  
Sound Engineering ◽  
Arc Mapping ◽  
Fire Cause ◽  
Nfpa 921

Analyzing the origin and cause of fires or explosions for the purposes of legal proceedings requires the smooth integration of a reliable fire investigative methodology with sound engineering principles and practices. The origin of a building fire was first determined based on the methodology of NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. Engineering analysis was applied to witness observations, arc mapping, fire dynamics, and the evaluation of fire patterns. The fire cause was then evaluated considering NFPA 921 and integrated applied engineering analysis and calculations. The allegations of an overfilled propane cylinder as the cause of the fire were considered. Spoliation issues, poor investigation methodology, and the lack of sound engineering principles (resulting in unreliable opinions) are also contrasted and discussed.

scholarly journals An Engineering Review Of Nfpa Standard 921

1994 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. DeWitt
Keyword(s):  
Fire Protection ◽  
National Fire Protection Association ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Fire And Explosion ◽  
Nfpa 921

National Fire Protection Association (Nfpa) Guide 921 Was Published In 1992. Nfpa 921 Is Entitled; Guide For Fire And Explosion Investigations. This Paper Will Review Nfpa 921 And Analyze Its Significant Impact On The Field Of Forensic Engineering. Future Revisions And Planned Additions To The Document Which Affect Forensic Engineering Will Also Be Discussed.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Determination Of who Was Driving

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Kinematic Analysis ◽  
Vehicle Crashes ◽  
Passenger Compartment ◽  
Crash Data ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Witness Statements

The Investigation Of Vehicle Crashes Occasionally Presents A Question Of Who Was Driving A Vehicle At the Time Of A Collision. Many Accidents Result In Drivers And Passengers Being Thrown About The Passenger compartment, Or Being Completely Ejected From Their Vehicle. In Such Cases, Driver, Passenger, And witness Statements Are Often In Conflict With One Another; Especially When The Driver Could Potentially be Charged With A Crime, Or Be Held Liable For Damages Resulting From A Crash. In Many Cases, Physical evidence Can Provide The Forensic Engineer With Information To Conduct A Proper Reconstruction Of The crash, To Perform An Occupant Kinematic Analysis, And To Make A Determination And Render An Opinion regarding Who Was Driving The Vehicle At The Time Of The Crash.  this Paper Will Address Methodologies For Data Collection And Crash Reconstruction That Can Be Used in Determining Who Was Driving A Vehicle At The Time Of A Crash. It Will Include Instruction To The At-Scene investigator As To Data That Can Be Helpful In Such Analyses And Determinations. Two Case Studies Will Be presented In Which The Author Analyzed The Crash Data To Determine Who Was Driving.

Analysis of Primary Short Circuited Melted Mark Evidence Identification in Electrical Fire Case

2018 ◽  
Vol 876 ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
En Xia Li ◽  
Na Xu ◽  
Nan Li ◽  
Hong Ma ◽  
Jun Bo Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Formation Mechanism ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Metallographic Method ◽  
Reference Map ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fire Cause ◽  
Temperature Melting

Regardless of fire heat or short circuit high temperature melting, the residual traces which represent the environmental characteristics can be found in copper and aluminum wires. The primary short circuited melted mark identification must be scientific and objective for physical evidence of the electricity fire during detecting, and the conclusions are related to the fire survey process. Currently, identification method of electricity fire, including macroscopic method and metallographic method, is very general and lacking of standard reference map and detailed description. According to the macro and micro characteristics and formation mechanism of various fire wire melted marks and the characteristics of metallographic organization of primary short circuited melted mark, two actual cases were analyzed in detail so as to distinguish the relationship between the melting reason and fire cause and to confirm that these two fires are caused by primary short circuit.

scholarly journals F.E. Investigations Of Residential & Small Commercial Building Fuel Gas Systems Involved In Fires & Explosions

2000 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph G. Leane
Keyword(s):  
Commercial Building ◽  
Fuel Gas ◽  
Causative Relationship ◽  
Gas System ◽  
Fire Scene ◽  
Fire Cause ◽  
Area Of Origin

After A Building Burns And/Or Explodes, A Fire Cause And Origin Investigation Is Often Requested To Investigate The Scene. During That Investigation, When The Suspicion Of The Involvement Of Fuel Gas Has Been Developed And The Area Of Origin Or Suspected Areas Of Origin Have Been Preliminarily Determined. A Forensic Engineer Is Frequently Called Upon. That Engineer Is Assigned The Task Of Inspecting The Building Fuel Gas System To Determine Any Causative Relationship Between That System And The Fire And/Or Explosion. The Responsibilities Of The Forensic Engineer Are To Work In Cooperation With The Fire Cause And Origin Investigator And To Limit Their Scope Of Work To The Areas Where They Possess The Required Expertise. The Responsibilities Of The Forensic Engineer Do Not Normally Include Performing A Fire Cause And Origin Investigation. The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Provide General Guidelines To The Forensic Engineer Who Is Requested To Inspect A Fire Scene Where A Residential And Small Commercial Building Fuel Gas System Is Suspected Of Being Involved In The Cause Of A Fire Or Explosion, Or Involved In The Spread Of A Fire. It Should Be Noted That Specific Conditions Might Exist At A Particular Fire Scene That Might Require The Engineer To Deviate From The Guidelines Described In This Paper. The Reason(S) For Justifying Any Deviation From Generally Accepted Guidelines Should Be Documented.

scholarly journals FIRES IN WOOD INDUSTRY

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nenad Papić
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Science ◽  
Expert Witnesses ◽  
Wood Industry ◽  
Science Centre ◽  
Scene Investigation ◽  
Fire Scene ◽  
In Fire ◽  
Fire Cause

<p>In recent years, there were a few fires of equipments in wood industry in Croatia, after which in fire scene investigation and determination of fire cause working, as a part of team, experts from Forensic Science Centre „Ivan Vučetić“ (FSC „Ivan Vučetić“). One of  this fires in wood industry was the fire in the “Wood Industry Bohor“. In the paper is described the manner of work of the expert witnesses when there determined the cause of fire in industrial equipments. There are given methods of determining the cause of fire and point at characteristic defects which may cause a fire.</p>

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Use Of Computer Animations And Graphics

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Ziernicki ◽  
Danaher David A.
Keyword(s):  
3D Modeling ◽  
Accident Reconstruction ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Computer Animations ◽  
Modeling Simulation ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Investigation Process ◽  
Video Matching

During An Accident Reconstruction Investigation, Many Complicated Issues Arise That Must Be Presented To A Judge Or Jury. Although The Reconstructionist May Understand The Issues And Can Explain Them Orally, The Audience May Not Completely Understand. The Use Of Computer Animations And Graphics Can Take Those Complicated Issues And Present Them In A Clear And Understandable Way. The Graphics And Animations That Are Developed From The Engineering Analysis Are A Visual Representation Of The Forensic Engineers Opinion. Psychological Studies Show That People Are Only 15% Likely To Remember Orally-Communicated Information, But 95% Likely To Remember Orally-Communicated Information In Conjunction With Visually-Communicated Information. Visual Tools, Such As Photo Matching, Evidence Matching, Photogrammetry, Video Matching, 3d Modeling, Simulation, And Animation, Can Be Implemented During The Accident Investigation Process To Identify Evidence And Demonstrate A Thorough Analysis For Later Use In Court. For Example, Roof Crush Analysis Graphics, As Seen In Figure 1, Not Only Visually Illustrates The Deformation Of The Roofs Structure, But The Graphics Also Have A Solid Foundation Based On Accurate Measurements Of The Physical Evidence.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analyses of Right-Turning Trucks Impacting Bicyclists

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Ziernicki ◽  
William Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Truck Driver ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Impact Location ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
Reaction Processes ◽  
The Impact

Right-turning trucks present a serious hazard to bicyclists. When a collision between a right-turning truck and a bicyclist occurs, the truck driver often does not realize an impact occurred, and the bicyclist is pushed down and dragged by the truck. Such collisions result in serious injury or death. Forensic engineers are retained to investigate and reconstruct such complex collisions. Oftentimes, there are disputes between forensic engineers as to the impact location, visibility, and reaction processes of both the driver and bicyclist. For example, physical evidence related to impact is usually faint and is a subject of debate between forensic engineers. Forensic engineers also disagree on the direct line-of-sight or line-of-sight through mirrors. Further, reactions (or lack thereof) are typically subject to debate. This paper presents the application of various techniques and methodologies to effectively reconstruct collisions between right-turning trucks and bicyclists. Such techniques and methodologies include the identification and verification of faint physical evidence regarding impact location using computer simulation and/or testing, the use of high-definition laser scans and virtual scenes to replicate mirror line-of-sight or obstruction line-of-sight, evaluation of driver and bicyclist reaction processes, and the use of scientific visualizations to effectively communicate complex issues of a case.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analyses Of The Potential For Hydrogen Gas Ignition While Charging Golf Car Batteries

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger L. Owens
Keyword(s):  
Early Morning ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Storage Facility ◽  
Free Hydrogen ◽  
Gas Ignition ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Scene Investigation ◽  
Fire Scene ◽  
Fire Origin ◽  
Origin Area

After An Early Morning Fire Occurred In A Golf Car Storage Facility The Plaintiffs Experts Opined That The Fire Occurred As A Result Of The Ignition Of Liberated Hydrogen Gas Which Was Generated During The Charging Process. During The Course Of Their Investigation The Plaintiffs Elected To Preserve Only Two Of The Golf Cars And Four Of The Chargers Without Any Documentation As To Which If Any Of The Chargers Were Plugged Into The Two Golf Cars. The Fire Scene Was Not Made Available To The Defendants And The Scene Was Only Marginally Documented Via Photographs. Due To The Destruction And Lack Of Documentation Of The Fire Scene It Was Impossible For The Defendants To Determine The True Fire Origin Area And The Actual Cause Of The Fire. Further, The Environment Surrounding The Golf Cars Was Static And The Potential Ignition Sources Were Not Documented During The On Scene Investigation By The Plaintiffs. The Defendants Elected To Defend The Case By Demonstrating The Difficulty Of Liberating Free Hydrogen From Golf Car Batteries Such As To Accumulate Hydrogen In The Explosive Range.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document