Course Description:
Forensic engineering is a business enterprise in which a relatively small number of professional engineers engage. Its proponents say it seeks to improve the quality of engineering, but others say some of its participants are interested only in self-gain. Its critics say forensic engineers in many cases use specious claims and the legal system in the United States to extort unwarranted settlement payments from other professional engineers, private companies and public agencies. This course looks at the social, legal and human factors that underpin the forensic engineering business. It suggests an approach to neutralizing those who engage in forensic engineering for self-gain rather than in search of just conclusions.
Course Outline:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. WHAT IS FORENSIC ENGINEERING?
3. FRAMING THE ETHICAL ISSUES
4. SYSTEMS OF LAW
5. LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR THINKERS
6. MATERIALISM
7. THE ETHICAL ISSUES
8. THE ROAD FORWARD
Learning Objectives:
• Learn what forensic engineers do
• Learn how forensic engineering is an appendage of the legal system in the United States
• Learn about systems of law in the world and why the common law in the United States is fertile ground for forensic engineers
• Learn about the theories of psychology that can help in understanding the forensic engineering business
• Learn what professional engineers can do to reduce the threat from unprincipled forensic engineering practitioners
Intended Audience:
This course is intended for engineers, architects and other building design and construction professionals who want to learn about forensic engineering, the ethical issues that it raises, and an approach to defending against threats it may pose. It may be used to meet ethics continuing education requirements.
Course Introduction:
This course will introduce you to the business enterprise of forensic engineering, the ethical issues it poses, the legal system in the United States of which it is a part, the theories of human psychology which help to explain the behavior of its practitioners, and an approach to neutralizing those who use forensic engineering and the legal system for inappropriate self-gain.
Course Summary:
Upon completion of this continuing education course you will have a framework and suggested approach to neutralizing threats posed by practitioners of forensic engineering. You will be prepared to discuss this with your professional colleagues and perhaps cooperate in addressing the ethical issues involved in forensic engineering.
