scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of Projectile Thrown from Phantom Vehicle

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Ziernicki ◽  
William Pierce ◽  
Angelos Leiloglou
Keyword(s):  
Lead Author ◽  
Dump Truck ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Probable Source ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Testing Case ◽  
Engineering Investigation

This paper presents a case study involving an 8-lb “projectile” piece of concrete thrown from a phantom vehicle into the windshield of a semi-tractor truck, subsequently striking the driver’s (plaintiff’s) head. A witness told the investigating officer that the phantom vehicle was a white-rear dump truck similar to the trucks he’d seen coming in and out of a construction entrance at a nearby park. However, no follow-up investigation was conducted by investigative officers. The lead author was retained by the plaintiff’s attorney to follow up and investigate the witness’ observation of the phantom white-rear dump truck in an attempt to identify the probable source of the concrete projectile, locate the phantom vehicle, reconstruct the incident, and determine the probable cause of the incident. Several forensic engineering techniques were used during the forensic engineering investigation, including evidence analysis, photography, high-definition scanning, photogrammetry, evaluation of the accident timeline, physical testing, case study analysis, projectile analysis, and application of the process of elimination methodology. Through the forensic engineering analysis, the probable source of the projectile concrete was identified, the white-rear dump truck and driver were identified, the accident was reconstructed, and the probable cause of the accident was determined.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis Of A Pickup Truck Wheel-Off Failure

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Josephs
Keyword(s):  
Rear Wheel ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Rare Occurrence ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Safety Hazard ◽  
Moving Vehicle ◽  
Interstate Highway ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Serious Injury

While Traveling On An Interstate Highway, A Pick-Up Truck Went Out Of Control As A Result Of The Detachment Of Its Left Rear Wheel. The Loss Of A Wheel From A Moving Vehicle Obviously Represents A Significant Safety Hazard, And, Apparently, Is Not A Rare Occurrence. Wheel Detachment From A Moving Vehicle Causes Instability Of The Vehicle, Which Can Lead To A Series Of Catastrophic Events, Resulting In Serious Injury Or Death. The National Transportation Safety Board Estimates That Approximately 750 - 1050 Reported Accidents And 40-50 Fatalities A Year Occur Due To Truck-Wheel Separations The Wheel-Off Failure Discussed Herein Resulted From The Loss Of Adequate Clamping Load On The Nut/Lug/Wheel Joint. A Case Study Is Presented Of A Vehicle Wheel-Off Failure, After More Than 2000 Miles Of Travel, Resulting From Inadequately Torqued Lug Nuts. An Analysis Is Presented To Determine The Elements Of Causation.

Microvascular Decompression for Patients With Hemifacial Spasm Associated With Common Trunk Anomaly of the Cerebellar Arteries—Case Study and Review of Literature

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab El Refaee ◽  
Christian Rosenstengel ◽  
Joerg Baldauf ◽  
Dirk T Pillich ◽  
Marc Matthes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Common Trunk ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Herpes Encephalitis ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Total Recovery ◽  
The Common

Abstract BACKGROUND Few previous studies have described the origin of both anterior and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries from one vessel as a common trunk anomaly. No previous studies have clearly described the aforementioned anomaly depending on intraoperative endoscopic visualization. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of a common trunk anomaly with hemifacial spasm, which makes microvascular decompression more challenging. METHODS All patients with common trunk anomaly associated with hemifacial spasm who received surgical treatment between 2006 and 2015 in our institution were identified in our prospectively collected database. Detection of the common trunk anomaly was performed using the intraoperative high-definition endoscopic inspection and confirmed by a retrospective review of the obtained operative videos. RESULTS Out of 248 cases of hemifacial spasm, 21 cases with a common trunk anomaly were detected, with an incidence rate of 8.5%. In 6 cases, the spasm was caused by more than 1 offending vessel “complex compression.” In 19 cases, total recovery occurred on follow-up, while in 1 case, 90% recovery occurred. One patient was spasm-free immediately after surgery, but died 3 wk after operation from herpes encephalitis. CONCLUSION Common trunk anomaly in hemifacial spasm is rare. The surgical technique is mostly identical to decompression with normally arising vessels. However, in case of a bifurcation situated close to the compression site where the offending vessel cannot be transposed freely, an extensive cushioning along the trunk and the offending vessels with teflon pledgets should be performed. The presence of a common trunk anomaly does not affect the surgical results.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Investigation Of A Cruise Ship Fire

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Shefchick
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Cruise Ship ◽  
Financial Loss ◽  
Engine Room ◽  
Fire Insurance ◽  
Room Fires ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Engineering Investigation

Each Year There Are Approximately 50 Major Fires Aboard Ships, Which Result In Financial Loss, Personal Injury And Death. Financial Loss At Sea Instigated The Formation Of Insurance Companies Such As Lloyds Of London, Which Now Provide Fire Insurance For Most Assets. Over A Nine-Year Period From 1977 To 1986, The Liverpool Underwriters Association Reported That 33 Percent Of The Fires Originated In Machinery Spaces, 3.6 Percent Originated In Electrical Installations And 0.5 Percent Originated In Stores. Between 1991 And 1993, 54 Percent Of The Fires Originated In Engine Rooms. The Engine Room Fires Were Often Initiated By An Explosion Or The Result From An Uncontrolled Release Of Flammable Vapors Or Fuel Into The Engine Room. 40 Percent Of All Fires In Engine Rooms Are Extinguished Using Portable Appliances While 18 Percent Are Extinguished By Fixed Carbon Dioxide Systems. Portable Appliances Are Most Effective In The First 15 Minutes And Carbon Dioxide In The First 30 Minutes...A Case Study Of The Investigation Of A Fatal Passenger Cruise Ship Fire Will Be Utilized To Show How The Burn Patterns Differ, How To Determine A Fires Area Of Origin And Possible Causes Of The Fire.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Analysis of Unintended Movement of Powered Industrial Trucks

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben T. Railsback ◽  
Richard M. Ziernicki ◽  
Steve Knapp ◽  
Ricky Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Product Liability ◽  
Power Source ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Legal Concept ◽  
Fatal Accidents ◽  
Initial Momentum ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Forensic Engineering

Unintended movement of powered industrial trucks after operators have left the operating position has led to serious — and sometimes fatal — accidents. Even though operators are trained to prevent unintended movement of powered industrial trucks, they can forget to shut off the power source or activate systems to prevent the unintended movement when leaving the truck. Operators are known to make mistakes, especially if they are working in a fast-paced environment and are required to frequently leave the trucks. Engineershave designed electrical interlocks and other systems (e.g., automatically applied parking brakes) to prevent unintended movement; however, not all powered industrial trucks are equipped with them. Furthermore, some of these systems only disconnect the power source from the truck’s drivetrain. These trucks can continue traveling due to their initial momentum or by gravity if the truck was left on a slope. The purpose of this paper is to address the design of forklift operator presence detection systems and unintended movement of unoccupied forklifts through a safety and forensic engineering analysis, highlighting a brief case study to examine the concept of use and foreseeable misuse — and to review the legal concept of strict product liability.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Pyrites Expansive Forces And Impact On Long-Term Building Failure

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Carr
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Geology ◽  
Geotechnical Engineering ◽  
Pyrite Oxidation ◽  
Foundation Design ◽  
Highway Engineering ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Engineering Investigation

There Is A Dearth Of Information Available In The Literature And Published Engineering Texts Addressing The Impacts Of Pyrite Expansion In Buildings (Mitchell And Soga 2005). The Texts Have Largely Been Silent, And The Intersection Of Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering And Foundation Design Has Been Lacking, With The Exception Of Limited Investigations Related To Highway Engineering. Typically Pyrite Has Been Associated With Shale Materials When Used As Fill. Granite, As Well As Other Rocks And Soil Can Also Contain Sufficient Pyrite To Initiate The Destructive Forces Associated With Pyrite Oxidation. In This Case Study Paper, The Insidious And Destructive Forces Of Pyrite Expansion Are Presented. The Long-Term Implications And Strategies For Remediation Are Considered.

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering Investigation Of The Hurricane Rita Motorcoach Fire

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight Pfenning
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Passenger Compartment ◽  
Texas Coast ◽  
Hurricane Rita ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Engineering Investigation ◽  
Houston Area

A Forensic Engineering Analysis Was Performed Of The Motorcoach Fire That Took The Lives Of3 Houston Area Assisted Living Home Patients As They Were Being Evacuated To The Dallas Area Asurricane Rita Was Approaching The Texas Coast In 2005. The Motorcoach Was Engulfed In Flames Andmoke After A Tag Axle Tire Caught Fire On A Freeway Near Dallas. Our Analysis Included Testing With Extensive Instrumentation On An Exemplar Motorcoach In Order To Determine How The Fire Developed And Entered The Passenger Compartment. Included In The Analysis Was The Contribution To The Fire From The Patients Onboard Oxygen Bottles. The Use Of Alternate Materials Was Tested For Their Effect On The Time For Safe Egress.

Forensic Engineering Analysis By Plausible Inference - Case in Point: A Building Failure

1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis L. Zickel
Keyword(s):  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Press Conference ◽  
Engineering Analysis ◽  
Local Television ◽  
Television Network ◽  
Kitchen Table ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Engineering Investigation ◽  
Adjacent Window

A first floor resident of a seven-story multiple dwelling building complex, seated at his kitchen table, glanced out of the adjacent window at the moment the landscaped courtyard collapsed in a cloud of dust and escaping steam. It was early twilight on Christmas day. On its 1 I PM news broadcast, the local television network affiliate aired the story along with a press conference with a municipal building official. On the evening of the following day, the president of the Cooperative Board of Directors requested the writer to conduct a forensic engineering investigation to determine the cause of the collapse. At approximately the same time, the sponsor of the cooperative, acting independently, engaged a contractor to shore the surviving structure and to remove the debris from the collapse site.

Intensive Stuttering Therapy With Telepractice Follow-up: A Case Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzan Irani ◽  
Rodney Gabel
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Therapeutic Intervention ◽  
Intensive Therapy ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Eclectic Approach

This case report describes the positive outcome of a therapeutic intervention that integrated an intensive, residential component with follow-up telepractice for a 21 year old male who stutters. This therapy utilized an eclectic approach to intensive therapy in conjunction with a 12-month follow-up via video telepractice. The results indicated that the client benefited from the program as demonstrated by a reduction in percent stuttered syllables, a reduction in stuttering severity, and a change in attitudes and feelings related to stuttering and speaking.

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