A new discipline known as forensic geotechnical engineering (FGE) has been created to deal with investigation of soil-interaction related failures of engineered facilities or structures. Services of forensic geotechnical engineers are generally commissioned to investigate such failures.

ASC geosciences, inc. (ASC) has unique capabilities to perform geotechnical forensic studies due to our well-rounded in-house expertise with this emerging technology, and our extensive geotechnical engineering services on a number of projects since 1990.  These services include expert testimony in numerous construction defect litigation cases and are not limited to:

Over the past 25 years, ASC’s principals have provided expert testimony in various depositions and court appearances. In addition, we have also made successful technical presentations to mediation and arbitration proceedings. We are experienced with deposistion proceedings, cross examinations, court procedures, mediation, and arbitration.  We pride ourselves on fast-turnaround to requests from legal firms to meet their schedules.  With more than 20 years of experience with the legal community, our principals are known for their professional, knowledgeable and credible demeanor which which has resulted in a positive impact on jurors, mediators, and others involved with the legal process.  Some of the companies/agencies we have provided expert testimony for include:

• Foundation and/or Soil Failure
• Foundation Movement Investigations
• Rigid and Flexible Pavement Failures
• Vibrations from Rock Blasting and Pile Driving
• Compaction and Settlement Failure
• Slope Stability and Failures
• Retaining Wall/Excavation Failure
• Specification Compliance Failures
• Residential Failures

• Various Insurance Companies
• Various Attorneys, Developers, Engineers, Architects, and individual owners
• FDOT - Turnpike Authority
• Various Cities

We apply proven engineering and scientific principles to identify and define the technical unknowns of accidents and failures.

Our services normally include:

• Site Inspections, Assessment and Consultation
• Documentation Reviews
• Deposition Assistance
• Verbal Reports

• Written Reports, Photographs, Drawings, Advanced CAD, and 3-D Rendering Capabilities
• Technical Consultation
• Litigation and Arbitration Proceedings
• Expert Witness Testimony

A forensic geotechnical engineer looks at a pile of rubble as a problem that needs to be solved. At the end of the failure analysis process, which may include laboratory testing of critical items and hours of analysis, a clear picture of what happened begins to develop, and the forensic engineer  must then be able to explain the process that caused the failure. The explanation may be a simple letter, a detailed report, or expert testimony in the courtroom.  The final step in forensics engineering is to use analytical and testing tools to confirm the findings of fact.

The forensics engineer becomes an expert witness in support of the findings.  He is also responsible for reviewing the technical aspects of the opposition’s case. 

The success of a project often depends upon understanding why and how it failed.  ASC develops forensic studies that serve clients’ short and long term objectives for performance, efficiency, and cost-containment.

Upon completion of an investigation of a failure a forensic engineer is usually required to make a report of his findings. ASC can advise on how to write an expert report and also what the expert report should contain. ASC can assist a forensic engineer in matters such as:

• Essential elements and organization of expert reports.
• Foundation for opinions in expert reports.
• Writing reports in plain english.

FGE prepares civil engineers to read, think, speak, and analyze like a lawyer. In addition, it familiarizes him with jurisprudence system so that he is much able to understand and deal with legal issues since he has to work closely with statutes and regulations may become involved in litigation, or who may serve as an expert witness.