Omnia Forensis Ingenariae 
"All Things Forensic Engineering"
News and Views for the Forensic Engineer
and Their Legal/Insurance Clients
Richard A. Rice, PE - Editor
Edition XX - March 2018
Editor's Thoughts
Did you know that St. Patrick is the patron saint of engineers? In addition to teaching the Irish how to save western civilization (Author Thomas Cahill. Great book by the way), St. Patrick (originally from England), taught the Irish how to use more durable lime mortar to build church arches. Many still stand today. By extension, I am sure St. Patrick was an excellent forensic engineer when called upon.

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Again, thank you. If you have suggestions for OFI, please email me any time. 

Sincerely,

Richard A. Rice, PE
In the News this Month...
California's Analogous Daubert Standard
It appears that California is more on Team Daubert than ever before. Click Here.

Paying Extra for Safer Products
Failures commonly occur when the wrong fastener is used. Expert witnesses determine if the right fastener size, composition and exposure were applied. In this article, a reporter found that many construction material manufactures did not care to provide the correct fastener for their product. The reporter also determined that consumers would pay a little more if the right fastener was provided.

Forensic Engineering Explained 
This is a great article about the role of Forensic Engineers, how they are properly qualified, and how many find their way into the field. Click Here.

In-house Expert Witnesses Cannot Be Used
While this article is not about engineering, it reminds you of the desire of widget manufactures to use their own engineers as expert witnesses to support their engineering decisions that led to an injury. Has a precedent been set here?

Expert Witness for Marijuana Company Put IRS Tax Audit...
Up in Smoke
Even though expert witnesses are used in the darndest places, the same rules apply when justifying your opinions, and activity with the client. Read both sections on how an expert witness "shotgunned" the client. Click Here for Part I . Click Here for Part II.

Truck Driving Lawyers
Lawyers who know a little about the engineering issues at hand are a pleasure to work with. Here we have lawyers getting Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL's) so they can better relate to their clients. Good story. Click Here.
Expert Referrals
I have the privilege to work with many great forensic experts in the United States, Asia and Europe in the fields of Accident Reconstruction, Electrical Failures, Mechanical Failures just to name a few disciplines. Please allow me to refer to you one of these court tested experts for your next insurance claim or legal matter. There is no charge to you. I do not get a finders fee from anyone. This is my way of helping you. Plus, I can help my Forensic Engineering colleagues. Please email me or call 404.395.7441. 

Note:  No warranties, expressed or implied, are made to the suitability of any expert referred to you. Do your homework to make sure you have the right expert.
...about the Editor
Richard A. Rice, PE is President and Forensic Engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI. Because of 30 years of continuous civil/structural design services, and his early and continued exposure to his friends and families many construction businesses, Mr. Rice is uniquely qualified to provide Civil/Structural Forensic Engineering services to the insurance, legal, and construction industries. Services include building design and construction, roadway design and construction, building inspection and code compliance, building/foundation collapse, construction site incidents, and other property loss subjects. Mr. Rice is a licensed professional engineer in several states, and a Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
Mr. Rice has written a novel and numerous technical articles published in professional journals for NAFE, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), and the Georgia Defense Lawyer Association (GDLA). Please call/email Mr. Rice or visit his company's webpage:

Richard A. Rice, PE - Civil/Structural Engineer
Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI
(Office): 770.210.6644
(Mobile): 404.395.7441

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     Thank you for Your Time and Your Trust!!!