Academic Press Engineering Standards for Forensic Application

Engineering Standards for Forensic Application presents the technologies and law precedents for the application of engineering standards to forensic opinions, discussing Fundamentals, Disciplines, Engineering Standards, The Basics and the Future of Forensics. The book explores the engineering standard and how it is used by experts to give opinions that are introduced into evidence, and how they are assumed to be the best evidence known on the topic at hand. Final sections include coverage of NFL Brain Injuries and the Flint Water Crisis. Examples of the use of engineering standards are shown and discussed throughout the work. Addresses a wide variety of forensic engineering areas, including relevant law Provides a new approach of study that includes the work of both engineers and litigators Contains contributions from over 40 experts, offering the reader examples of general forensic methods that are based on reliable engineering practice Review A reference presenting the technologies and law precedents for the application of engineering standards to forensic opinions About the Author Dr. McLay is retired. He is the past president of STARK rxp, Inc., a forensic engineering consulting corporation that specialized in the development of restraint systems for motor vehicles, structural analysis of the human body, software development in: biomechanics, structural analysis of vehicles, vehicle dynamics, forensic animation, and vision and perception in human factors. His expertise is the analysis of vehicles and the human body in the related environments of vehicle accidents and crashes of all types. Dr. McLay’s experience includes simulation in accident analysis and design failures. He is a consultant in his specialty areas and a testifying expert witness in accident reconstruction, with over 40 years of experience serving courts in the United States. Dr. McLay holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering Mechanics with a related B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He has published in the areas of forensic animation; accident reconstruction; perception, reaction, and conspicuity; engineering evidence and lay testimony; forensic air bag analysis methods, the use and misuse of engineering standards; this forthcoming book: Engineering Standards for Forensic Application, and a series of papers on biomechanics. He has both plaintiff and defense experience in civil and criminal cases. He has worked for the State of Vermont in accident reconstruction cases. He has worked pro bono on cases of indigent defendants. He has designed and led seminars and workshops on forensic methods for both engineers and attorneys. Dr. McLay is:  A current faculty member of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa.  Past member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.  A Fellow of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers.  A holder of the patent: “Target Standoff Sensor for Shaped Charge Warhead,“ U.S. Patent No. 4567829. In the community of Essex Junction, Vermont, he is a past member of the Planning Commission. Dr. McLay and his wife of 58 years have resided in South Burlington, Vermont since 2006. His wife, Daren, a medical technologist, has been the business manager for the forensic work, beginning in 1990. Dr. Anderson is president of RNA Consulting, Inc., a forensic engineering consulting corporation that specializes in materials engineering and sciences. His expertise is the analysis of the behavior of materials, such as metals, plastics, glass, wood, and ceramics, in their related environments. Dr. Anderson’s experience includes accident analysis including industrial equipment, industrial materials applications, design failures, corrosion issues, and water systems failures. He is a consultant in his specialty areas, and a testifying expert witness in materials and metallurgical engineering, with 30+ years of experience serving courts in the U.