The Engineer As Expert Witness

The work of an engineer as expert witness is not much different from investigating and reporting on any building problem. The legal requirements for the investigation are the same as any other professional work, requiring exactitude, knowledge, and sound reasoning. Once the engineer is confronted with the rules of the legal profession, he/she must be aware of the additional rules of forensic behavior. This does not change the general procedures for engineering work, but makes it important to understand the conduct and performance of an expert witness. This paper uses experience derived from forensic work to list some of the lessons learned over the years, such as: 1) Full documentation, understandable to laymen, 2) Investigation in the field to be used for incontrovertible evidence, 3) Combining field, laboratory, and literature work into a well balanced report, 4) Awareness of the function of attorneys, judges, and juries to make a truthful and effective presentation, 5) Professional performance and effective communication with the trier(s) of fact, and 6) Ability to marshal facts and not to be disturbed by aggressive interrogation.