In this blog post, we’ll explore how forensic engineering—the fusion of law and engineering—strengthens the social safety net by identifying the causes of accidents, preventing their recurrence, and improving systems.
The term “forensic engineering” may be unfamiliar to many. The combination of “law” and “engineering”—two words that seem completely incompatible—might feel awkward. Forensic engineering is a field of forensic science, much like forensic medicine, that contributes to legal proceedings by identifying the causes of incidents and accidents through engineering analysis. To clarify this somewhat vague definition, here is a more concrete explanation. If it is the engineer’s job to investigate the causes of incidents and accidents, and the legal professional’s job to hear testimony in court, seek advice, and determine legal liability, then the forensic engineer’s job is to investigate the causes of incidents and accidents and provide legal advice. If engineering involves in-depth analysis of a given problem, predicting failure based on material behavior, and designing for reliability, then forensic engineering identifies the causes of failure from incidents that have already occurred, analyzes them in depth, and makes them usable as crucial evidence in court.
The history and development of forensic engineering are quite fascinating. Forensic engineering is a discipline that began in the late 19th century, born from the convergence of engineering technology—which developed rapidly alongside the Industrial Revolution—and law. Initially, it focused primarily on investigating accidents related to industrial disasters, but its scope has gradually expanded, and it is now utilized in various fields. Modern forensic engineering plays a crucial role in resolving complex cases by combining specialized knowledge from various engineering fields, such as architecture, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering.
The primary functions of forensic engineering can be divided into three categories. First, because forensic engineering enables the application of state punitive power, it allows for the imposition of penalties on those responsible through scientific investigation. For example, on February 17, 2014, an accident occurred at the Mauna Ocean Resort gymnasium in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, during a welcome party for freshmen at Busan University of Foreign Studies, when the roof collapsed. Under the Building Act, Gyeongju City was required to construct the building to withstand a snow load of 50 kg/m², but at the time, the building was subjected to a snow load of 114 kg/m². It was expected that the building would have withstood this load if it had been constructed properly according to the blueprints; however, the investigation revealed that illegal construction practices had taken place, such as the use of low-strength materials in the gymnasium’s roof and columns, and arbitrary changes to the blueprints without review by a licensed structural engineer. Consequently, arrest warrants were requested for six individuals, including the resort manager and those responsible for the substandard construction.
Another important role of forensic engineering is the training of experts through education and training. Since forensic engineers must possess legal knowledge in addition to technical expertise, the programs that educate them are crucial. These educational programs are offered not only as degree courses at universities but also as continuing education programs for professionals currently working in the field. Through these programs, forensic engineers continuously learn about the latest technologies and legal changes, developing the ability to apply this knowledge to real-world cases.
Furthermore, by investigating the causes of incidents and compiling statistics, forensic engineers can help prevent future accidents. Following the collapse of the gymnasium at Mauna Ocean Resort, snow load standards for buildings were strengthened nationwide, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced plans to review building standards in light of extreme weather events and improve the relevant regulations. Strengthening building standards will help prevent future safety accidents, such as building collapses.
Forensic engineering also plays a crucial role in fulfilling social responsibilities. Forensic engineers contribute to maintaining social safety and order by identifying the causes of various incidents and taking legal action based on their findings. This goes beyond simply determining the causes of accidents; it plays a vital role in enhancing the overall safety standards of society.
Finally, forensic engineering assessments can assist in civil disputes and contribute to insurance claims for losses resulting from disasters. In litigation, one must present their case using objective data and refute the opposing party’s claims. In such situations, forensic engineering assessments can help win the case by providing objective and crucial scientific evidence.
Some may question whether it is necessary to combine law and engineering to create the discipline of forensic engineering. However, since engineers may interpret the same scientific evidence differently, the outcome of a lawsuit can vary depending on which evidence is used and how it is presented. Therefore, the discipline of forensic engineering—which fuses these two fields—is essential to achieving the best possible outcome in litigation.
It is said that forensic engineering is about learning new ways of production from destruction. Of course, it is best if accidents do not occur at all, but the greatest significance of forensic engineering lies in accurately identifying the causes of accidents that have occurred, punishing those responsible, raising awareness, and strengthening safety standards to prevent further harm. It is reported that among OECD countries, South Korea has the highest proportion of safety accidents among all causes of death. Recently, there have been many major safety accidents, such as the “Mauna Ocean Resort Gymnasium Collapse” and the “Sewol Ferry Disaster.” It is now time to move beyond complacency regarding safety, maintain a constant focus on safety, and prevent accidents; it is expected that forensic engineering will enable more systematic progress in this regard.
The future of forensic engineering is even brighter. Along with advancements in cutting-edge technology, new research and technologies continue to be developed in the field of forensic engineering. Predicting accident causes through artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analysis, as well as on-site investigations utilizing the latest equipment such as drones, are significantly improving the efficiency and accuracy of forensic engineering. These technological advancements will help forensic engineers analyze incidents more quickly and accurately, thereby enabling better legal measures to be taken. Furthermore, through international cooperation, forensic engineers from various countries can share knowledge and collaborate, contributing to raising safety standards on a global scale.
