Forensic Engineer
Forensic engineers work with law enforcement professionals on a variety of cases, including fire investigations, traffic accidents, patent disputes, and wrongful injury claims. These professionals investigate the specific sequence of events in a case and search for reasons why a specific item failed to work as expected. For instance, when a car crash occurs, a forensic engineer will utilize the principles of mathematics and science to examine the broken parts and pieces in order to determine the possible mechanical failure (or lack thereof) that caused the crash. The forensic engineer will review drawings and specifications for parts, and might even interview people who were involved in the incident. Oftentimes, forensic engineers may serve as expert witnesses in court cases.
Training & Education
Forensic engineering is a specialization within the engineering field. Very few universities offer majors or even courses in forensic engineering, which means individuals who are interested in pursuing this career are responsible for obtaining their own credentials. A bachelor's degree in engineering or a similar science is the minimum educational requirement for most forensic engineering positions. The most common engineering degrees include electrical engineering, civil engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and traffic engineering.
According to the American Academy of Forensic Science, every forensic engineer should become a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in order to advance their job opportunities and boost their credentials. To become a registered PE, an engineer must complete several steps. First, he or she must obtain an engineering degree from an accredited university. Then, the engineer must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering and gain four years of experience working under a registered PE. Finally, the Principles of Engineering exam must be passed. Once these steps are completed, the engineer is officially a PE. Depending on the state of licensure, there are a variety of continuing education requirements to maintain certification.
A forensic engineer needs to be credible, ethical, and competent, and have excellent communication skills. Also, the ability to write well is necessary for documentation purposes and evidence collection. It is also highly recommended that forensic engineers be involved in professional organizations and complete continuing education courses.
Career & Salary Outlook
The salary for forensic engineers varies by location, experience, and employer. According to Payscale.com, the average salary in the U.S. for a forensic accident reconstruction engineer with one to four years of experience is between $40,452 and $61,935. Those who have five to nine years make, on average, between $63,380 and $83,495. Forensic engineers who have more than 10 years of experience can make more than $100,000 per year.
Most forensic engineers are either self-employed or they work for small firms, but large corporations and government agencies also hire forensic engineers. Some engineers work part-time in the forensics field and spend the rest of their time working at universities or similar institutions on other projects. The need for competent and qualified forensic engineers is on the rise and the job market looks promising for the future.
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Article Resources:
Structural Technology Corp.
National Society of Professional Engineers
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
PayScale