Forensic Engineering

Dr. Max M. Houck is an internationally-recognized forensic expert with research interests in forensic science, education, and the forensic enterprise and its industries. He has worked in all aspects of forensic science, including at the FBI Laboratory. Dr. Houck has published widely in books and peer-reviewed journals. His anthropology and trace evidence casework includes the Branch Davidian Investigation, the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the D.B. Cooper case, the US Embassy bombings in Africa, and the West Memphis Three case, among hundreds of others. He served for six years as the Chair of the Forensic Science Educational Program Accreditation Commission (FEPAC). Dr. Houck is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a founding Co-Editor of the journal Forensic Science Policy and Management.

• Section 1. IntroductionIntroductionPrinciples of Forensic ScienceForensic Classification of EvidenceInterpretation/The Comparative MethodForensic Engineering/Accident Reconstruction/Biomechanics of Injury/Philosophy, Basic Theory, and FundamentalsKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 2. InvestigationsIntroductionCollection and Chain of EvidenceAccident Investigation—Determination of CauseHuman Factors Investigation and Analysis of Accidents and IncidentsMajor Incident Scene ManagementCrime Scene Analysis and ReconstructionKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 3. Transportation InvestigationsIntroductionRailroad Accident Investigation and ReconstructionAircraft Flight Data RecordersAir-Bag-Related Injuries and DeathsElectronic Data Recorders (EDRs, Black Boxes)Analog Tachograph Chart AnalysisTraffic Injuries and DeathsAirplane Crashes and Other Mass DisastersKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 4. Fire InvestigationsIntroductionChemistry of FirePhysics/ThermodynamicsThermal DegradationTypes of FiresEvidence Collection at Fire ScenesFire Scene Inspection MethodologyFire Patterns and Their InterpretationAnalysis of Fire DebrisInterpretation of Fire Debris AnalysisSuspicious DeathsKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 5. Other MethodsIntroductionAudio Enhancement and AuthenticationInvestigation and Analysis of Electrical AccidentsInvestigation and Analysis of Structural CollapsesBiomechanics of Human Gait—Slip and Fall AnalysisForensic Chemical Engineering Investigation and AnalysisMaterials Analysis and Failure AnalysisKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion QuestionsSection 6. Professional IssuesIntroductionCrime Scene to CourtForensic Laboratory ReportsHealth and SafetyKey TermsReview QuestionsDiscussion Questions