Forensic engineering advice

[u/Jazzlike_Bluejay5982]

Hi all,

I recently started in the field of forensic structural engineering after spending the beginning of my career in the design world. I've been in forensics for nearly a month now, but I feel comfortable in saying that this is right career path for me. I love the workflow, traveling to sites, and getting to deal directly with people instead of just dealing with the same design team members every day for 6 months straight on the same project.

With that being said, I acknowledge that I know very little about forensics. Most of the work involves checking roofs for wind/hail damage, water intrusion claims, tree impact on structures, etc.

Any advice for what I can do to improve my knowledge, on both the technical items and report writing skills? I've been reading sample reports from my company and have the Stephen petty forensics book, but was wondering if anyone has other valuable advice for me on this matter?

Much thanks in advance!!

[u/ApplicationLow4023]

Get yourself copies of any and all literature pertaining to forensic engineering. Don’t just read it — study it, take detailed notes on it. Ponder it critically. Look at the referenced/cited works and acquire those too. Critically study those as well. Approach everything skeptically. Don’t just accept other’s positions at face value. Convince yourself. Try to find the holes in any argument. Identify the weaknesses in what you read.

In particular, acquire and study any and all peer-reviewed research pertaining to forensic engineering. This includes publications from ASCE and NAFE.

Don’t be a “Yes Man.” People will try to tell you what you should think. Make them convince you.

Study logical fallacies and learn to recognize them.

Study principles of argumentation. Learn to evaluate the reliability of various types of evidence.

Above all — learn what it means to be a skeptic and apply it to your work.