Seminars
We Share our Knowledge with You
We offer free seminars as part of our service to our clients. These seminars can be customized to fit your organization's particular requirements and concerns, or we can create a custom seminar on a topic not listed below. Seminars can be presented formally or as part of a more casual "lunch & learn" session.
Select a topic below for information on the seminar and the course outline. To book a seminar or for more information, please contact us directly.
Seminar Topics
- Collection & Preservation of Evidence
- Fire & Explosion Investigation
- Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
- Low-Speed Impact Collision Assessments
- Failure Analysis & Product Liability
- Commercial & Industrial Failures
- Building/Property Failures
- Effective Use of Engineering Experts in Claims Litigation
Collection & Preservation of Evidence
This seminar provides instruction on the collection and preservation of evidence from loss and accident scenes. The participant will be provided with examples of actual losses and the methods involved in the collection and measurement of physical evidence. Documentation methods and requirements to permit further analysis of the evidence collected will be provided. Physical sampling and measuring techniques will be shown and demonstrated.
Learning Objectives:
- Learning how to recognize what constitutes valuable evidence at a loss site.
- Learning how to record information from a loss site using different measurements.
- Learning how to obtain samples from a loss site.
- Learning how to properly handle records and samples so they can be used as evidence.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Introduction | Records, Samples, & Evidence
How We Make Use of These in Forensic Engineering |
| Module 2 - How to Record | Positions
Measurements Methods for Measurement Taking Readings with Simple Equipment |
| Module 3 - How to Sample | Solids, Liquids, & Gases
Container Preparation Residues Contamination Sample Handling Background Samples |
| Module 4 - Making Your Record or Sample Evidence | Labeling & Documentation
Continuity of Custody Non-destructive Sampling/Removal Permission vs. Preservation |
| Module 5 - Demonstrations | Demonstrations with participant involvement |
Course Length: This course provides 2 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: Field Adjusters, Claims Adjusters, Claims Managers
Fire & Explosion Investigation
This seminar addresses the chemistry and behaviour of fire, technical investigation techniques, fire cause & origin, and other issues facing a fire investigator.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding the chemical nature of fire and different fuel types.
- Understanding the concepts of thermodynamics and heat transfer as they relate to fire events.
- Learning how fire behaves under different conditions.
- Recognizing various sources of ignition and learning how ignition can result in fire.
- Understanding the different classifications used to identify a fire.
- Learning standard fire investigation techniques and processes, including hypothetical testing.
- Learning what types of evidence are valuable at a fire scene and various methods used to obtain the evidence.
- Introduction to different types of fires and how they are handled from an investigation stand-point.
- Understanding of how expert witnesses can be used effectively in litigation.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Fire Chemistry | Definition
Fuel Types Fuel Conditioning |
| Module 2 - Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer | Energy Types
Heat Transfer Mechanisms |
| Module 3 - Behaviour & Nature of Fire | Fire Triangle
Fuel Conditioning - Flammability & Volatility Demonstration Explosions Static Electricity Behaviour & Nature of Fire Fire Pattern Analysis |
| Module 4 - Ignition Processes & Sources | Definition (Simple Model)
Auto-ignition Temperature Fuel Types & Conditioning Minimum Ignition Energy Ignition Sources Electrical fires Classification of Electrical Equipment Quenching Distance Classification of Fire Cause |
| Module 5 - Investigation Processes | Equipment
Data Collection Codes & Standards Data Analysis Investigation Results |
| Module 6 - Testing Your Hypotheses | Fire Scene Reconstruction
Burn Testing - Bench Scale, Full Scale Product/Material Testing & Evaluation |
| Module 7 - Handling of Evidence | Preservation - Securing the Scene
Documentation - Photography, Video Non-Destructive Testing Destructive Testing Transfer & Storage Exhibits |
| Module 8 - Special Investigations | Vehicle Fires
Equipment Fires Electrical Fires Investigation of Suspicious Fires Marine Fires |
| Module 9 - Expert Witnessing | Effective use of an expert witness in claim litigation |
| Module 10 - Case Studies & Exercises | Several detailed case studies are reviewed, including carry through from investigation to trial or settlement. |
Course Length: This course is lengthy and can fill 24 hours of instruction as a whole, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: Field Adjusters, Claims Adjusters, Claims Managers, Attorneys
Motor Vehicle Accident Investigation & Reconstruction
This seminar provides instruction on the technical aspects of an Accident Reconstruction and helps to clarify what type of losses would benefit from Accident Investigation & Reconstruction.
Learning Objectives:
- Learning how to collect background information concerning an accident from witnesses and the police.
- Understanding how an accident scene and the vehicles involved are examined for evidence.
- Learning what is required when an accident involves special circumstances, such as damaged cargo or dangerous goods.
- Understanding various types of research and testing that can be carried out to assist in or support an accident investigation.
- Learning about the role of human factors (visiblity, etc.) in accidents.
- Understanding the different types of analysis used to determine how an accident occurred, such as speed, or if an accident could have been avoided.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Background | Interviews
Police Information |
| Module 2 - Examinations | Accident Site
Vehicles |
| Module 3 - Special Investigations | Damaged Cargo
Dangerous Goods Demonstrative Evidence |
| Module 4 - Research & Testing | Special Vehicle Characteristics
Weather Road Infrastructure |
| Module 5 - Human Factors | Vision - Night-time Visibility
Injury Assessment Seatbelt Defence Driver Behaviour Lighting Assessments Witness Information |
| Module 6 - Analysis | Impact
Speed Accident Reconstruction Avoidance |
| Module 7 - Case Studies | Discussion of actual Accident Reconstruction cases |
Course Length: This course provides 12 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: AB Claims Adjusters, AB Claims Managers, Subrogation Specialists, Attorneys
Low-Speed Impact Collisions
This seminar provides instruction on effectively assessing and documenting a claim involving a Low-Speed Impact Collision. It also describes the technical aspects of Low-Speed Impact Collisions and explains the information required by forensic engineers to determine the speed changes experienced by vehicle occupants during a collision. Further, it explains how this information can be compared with injury data from published studies to assist with injury assessment.
Learning Objectives:
- How to effectively handle a claim involving a Low-Speed Impact Collision.
- Learning what types of physical evidence are useful to forensic investigators when assessing a Low-Speed Impact Collision.
- Understanding the relevance of reported information (such as witness accounts) to an investigation.
- Learning what factors increase or decrease the probability of injury in a Low-Speed Impact Collision.
- Learning how to recognize and mitigate fraudulent injury claims arising from a Low-Speed Impact Collision.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - The Problem | Initial Assessment of a Claim - What needs to be done? |
| Module 2 - Records | Papers
Photographs Measurements Observations Statements Equipment for Testing |
| Module 3 - Engineering Studies | Background Information
Vehicle Examinations Statements & Reported Information Damage Analysis Speed Analysis Injury Analysis Engineering Conclusions |
| Module 4 - Lessons Learned |
Course Length: This course provides 2 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: AB Claims Adjusters, AB Claims Managers, Attorneys
Failure Analysis & Product Liability
This seminar provides instruction on types of failures and their relationship to Product Liability. It also addresses the investigation techniques commonly used to perform Failure Analysis.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding what constitutes a "failure" & the different types of failures.
- Learning how a Failure Analysis investigation is carried out.
- Understanding common sources of failures.
- Understanding common mechanisms leading to failures.
- Learning how a Failure Analysis can assist with Product Liability investigations & litigation.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Failure Analysis | Definition of a "failure"
Objectives of Failure Investigation |
| Module 2 - Sequence of Analysis | Background
Examinations Non-destructive Testing Destructive Testing Documentation |
| Module 3 - Sources of Failures | Types of Failures
Failure Mechanisms |
| Module 4 - Products Liability | The Plaintiff's Perspective
The Defendant's Perspective Product Defects Minimum Ignition Energy Code Violations Suitable Defenses Warnings |
| Module 5 - Case Studies | Discussion of actual cases involving Failure Analysis & Products Liability |
Course Length: This course provides 6 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: Field Adjusters, Claims Adjusters, Claims Managers, Subrogation Specialists, Attorneys
Commercial & Industrial Failures
This seminar provides instruction on commerical and industrial related failures. It presents theoretical information, defining a failure from an engineering point-of-view, and introduces various types of failures and possible causes. This presentation is based primarily on case studies, which cover a range of failures commonly encountered in commerical and industrial property claims.
Learning Objectives:
- How to define a "failure".
- Understanding the main objectives of a Commercial & Industrial Failure investigation.
- Learning the various sources of Commercial & Industrial Failures.
- Understanding how Commercial & Industrial Failures are analysed and the types of information required for analysis.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Failure Analysis | Definition of a "failure"
Objectives of Failure Investigation |
| Module 2 - Sources of Failure | Deficiencies in Design
Deficiencies in Selection of Materials Imperfection in Materials Errors in Construction Procedures Inadequate Workmanship/Installation Improper Service Conditions/Maintenance Accidental |
| Module 3 - Sequence of Analysis | Background Information
Site Examination Reported Information Non-destructive Tests Destructive Tests Assessment of Cause |
| Module 4 - Case Studies | Discussion of actual cases involving Commercial/Industrial Failures |
Course Length: This course provides 2 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: Property Claims Adjusters, Property Claims Managers, Attorneys
Building/Property Failures
This seminar provides instruction on failures related to buildings/property. It presents theoretical information, defining a failure from an engineering point-of-view, and introduces various types of failures and possible causes. This presentation is based primarily on case studies, which cover a range of failures commonly encountered in both residential and commercial property claims.
Learning Objectives:
- How to define a "failure".
- Understanding the main objectives of a Building/Property Failure investigation.
- Learning the various sources of Building/Property Failures.
- Understanding how Building/Property failures are analysed and the types of information required for analysis
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Failure Analysis | Definition of a Failure
Objectives of a Failure Investigation |
| Module 2 - Fundamental Sources of Failure | Deficiencies in Design
Deficiencies in Selection of Materials Imperfection in Materials Errors in Construction Procedures Inadequate Workmanship/Installation Improper Service Conditions/Maintenance Accidental |
| Module 3 - Sequence of Analysis | Background Information
Site Examination Reported Information Non-destructive Tests Destructive Tests Assessment of Cause |
| Module 4 - Case Studies | Basement Construction & Lot Draining
Underpinning Guard Rails Pools Walkways Basement Walls Excavation Slopes Septic Systems Cracking of Ceramic Floor Tiles Garage Collapse |
Course Length: This course provides 2 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: Property Claims Adjusters, Property Claims Managers, Attorneys
Effective use of Engineering Experts in Claims Litigation
This seminar provides instruction on how and when to use Engineering Experts in claims litigation cases. It also covers the new rules pertaining to use of an expert in court.
Learning Objectives:
- Distinguishing the different Engineering Expert requirements in different types of cases.
- Knowing when to hire an Engineering Expert and when not to hire an Engineering Expert.
- Understanding the Engineer's timeline and how to use them effectively.
- Understanding the new rules pertaining to use of an expert in court.
Abbreviated Course Outline
| Module 1 - Types of Cases | First Party
Third Party |
| Module 2 - Using Engineering Experts | When NOT to use an Engineering Expert
When TO use an Engineering Expert The Engineering Timeline Using an Engineering Expert for a Second Opinion New Rules for Use of Experts in Court |
| Module 3 - Case Studies | Discussion of actual cases involving claims litigation |
Course Length: This course provides 2 hours of instruction, but can also be condensed and presented in shorter time frames by presenting only select modules or sections of modules, as applicable.
Who Should Attend: Attorneys, Subrogation Specialists