Retrospective Analysis to Identify Trends in Forensic Research

This paper provides a comprehensive summary of forensic research trends presented in the ASCE’s Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities (JPCF). The paper reports the results of a 24-year analysis of JPCF published literature between 1987 and 2010. The Journal continues to serve as a primary resource for published literature in the field of engineering forensics and provides a recorded history of our recognition and understanding of important lessons learned. Interesting facts were revealed that provide insights for practitioners and academia alike. The investigation indicates a wide participation of engineering disciplines, an increasing number of new topics, innovations, and proactive forensic methodologies, extensive interdisciplinary collaboration, and a significant increase in international contributions. This study may serve as a basis for defining the history and breadth of forensic engineering and for understanding the international relevancy and regional interest in the diverse subject matter. Increased acceptance, dissemination, and participation in forensic engineering is evident and should be encouraged and sustained as part of engineering curricula, investigative research, and professional practice.