Performance Analysis

Should senior forensic engineers do all the testifying at a firm or should each engineer work their entire cases from start to court?

Senior Forensic Engineers as the “Face of Testifying” or No? – Performance Analysis – Engineering – Forensics

Senior Forensic Engineers as the “Face of Testifying” or No? In a busy forensic, well-established forensic engineering firm, the senior engineer often becomes the courtroom face- polished, well-spoken, authoritative, and able to explain complex failures to […]

Great post for forensic engineers and vehicle accident reconstruction experts using photographs as notes during inspections.
Covington, LA

Using Photographs As Notes? A Great Forensic Engineering Method! Whenever forensic engineers get out in the field and inspect sites, equipment, etc. (e.

Daubert Motions.... Weapons Against Experts!

Daubert Motions: Are They Getting To Be Too Much? The Overuse and Abuse of Daubert Motions: A Weapon Against Expert Witnesses? Expert witnesses are often critical to the world of litigation. They provide a depth […]

Forensic Engineers – Here’s the Low Down on What We Do…. – Performance Analysis – Engineering – Forensics

Forensic Engineers – Here’s the Low Down on What We Do…. Several years ago, I was on the witness stand explaining to a jury how a filthy, clogged flue passage (think exhaust port) in a residential heating […]

https://performanceanalysisllc.com/2026/02/28/forensic-engineers-heres-the-low-down-on-what-we-do/

Forensic Engineers – Here’s the Low Down on What We Do…. Several years ago, I was on the witness stand explaining to a jury how a filthy, clogged flue passage (think exhaust port) in a residential heating […]

With Made In America Movement – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

Expert Witnesses make sense out of technical issues in courtrooms everywhere—but ensures ramblings and bias can be unwanted side effects. There are harmless limitations courts can impose that keep things fair and focused, steering clear of appeals or mistrials. Let's break down the limits favored by courts, based on solid rules like in the Federal Rules of Evidence. They're useful and not meant to punish, so experts carry on without black marks.
Courts check experts for knowledge, skill, or experience. This eliminates fakes, like someone claiming to be a vehicle accident reconstruction expert just because he's an engineer and was in a car crash once.

Scope boundaries are next. Experts have to stay in their lane; a DNA expert can't just discuss motives without that particular expertise. Courts use this so juries are not fooled. Daubert challenges come up, for example, to eliminate junk science. It keeps juries from getting lost in unreliable achieve, without stifling valid input. If it's helpful and not misleading, it's allowed; otherwise, not. This prevents wild speculation, like an economist ranting on unrelated market crashes. Simple, effective, and drama-free.

Next comes the helpfulness rule—no opinions that just confuse or waste time. Courts trim verbose rants, but let experts explain complex stuff clearly. It's about efficiency, not censorship, so verdicts stay sharp.

Bias checks by cross-examination enable lawyers to poke holes prior to any outright bans. Everyone gets grilled fairly, exposing conflicts.

Finally, disclosure deadlines are necessary. Experts are required to provide reports timely, avoiding last-minute surprises. This levels the playing field, letting both sides prepare without scrambling. Courts hate ambush tactics.

These limits aren't roadblocks; they're guardrails for justice. They let experts add value while dodging pitfalls that could tank a trial. If you're prepping for one, focus here—solid cases build on them.

CSI Engineering!

Forensic Engineers are needed more and more!

Forensic Engineering: A Valuable Tool in Incident Investigations Much like the crime scene investigators on the CSI TV shows, power plant investigation teams are increasingly employing forensic engineering methods to gather evidence and determine the causes of malfunctions of equipment, materials, or products that result in personal injuries or property damage. C...

"Google Earth"

Google Earth: Supertool in Vehicle Accident Reconstruction Using Google Earth for Measurements in Vehicle Accident Reconstruction Vehicle accident reconstruction often requires precise measurements of distances, such as skid marks, sight lines, lane widths, […]

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New Editor's Choice Papers for February | ASCE Publishing 16 New Civil Engineering Papers Added to ASCE Editor's Choice! February highlights include: 🔹 Infrastructure assessment and resilience under seismic and structural hazards 🔹 Data‑driven tools and emerging technologies that improve evaluation and coordination 🔹 Environmental monitoring, wa...