What Does A Structural And Civil Forensic Expert Do?
Forensic engineers are skilled professionals tasked with analyzing the reasons behind the malfunction or failure of materials, components, or structures. They specialize in investigating incidents where structural failures have occurred. The investigator was almost never present when the failure occurred. Therefore, a detailed “sherlock homes” approach is required, including studying the scene. interviewing witnesses, researching weather and building codes and other documents, performing rigorous analysis and calculations, and even modeling the structure and running statistics scenerios.
Structural Forensic Engineers undertake various tasks such as conducting inspections, taking measurements, gathering evidence, performing experiments, acquiring samples, and developing models. The findings of a forensic engineer may be used to help establish facts in legal proceedings. In these cases, the engineer may serve as an expert witness or expert consultant to the attorneys and triers of fact.
Forensic engineers may be retained as independent consultants by attorneys, insurance companies, building owner, or others. Law enforcement agencies may also seek their expertise on occasion, but they are usually retained in civil matters such as construction litigation cases. They are retained when the root cause of failure must be clarified to reach a resolutuion.
Marcor has extensive experience with understanding and applying the building codes. He is currently seeking the International Code Council certification of Certified Building Official.
Structural and Civil forensic engineers bring their expertise to investigate and analyze primary and contributing factors to events contributing to component or building failures. If a forensic expert is retained early in a matter, clients will be better equipped to make informed decisions early, whether in or out of legal settings. Enjoying a systematic examination, research, and reporting process, forensic engineers meticulously consider all evidence and form and test hypotheses. Their support is essential to uncovering and presenting critical information.
Marcor Platt PE, SE
Licensed in 21 States
What I do
Assessing Building Failure Cause and Remediation
Natural Disaster Building Impact
Marcor has studied the impact of hurricanes, tornadoes, vibrations, floods, hail, high winds on roofing, framing, and foundation damages to residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
Failure Causation
Marcor provides insight into the causation of building failure, whether soil, moisture, lack of maintenance, or standards of construction.
Adherence to Building Codes
Marcor studies whether a building failure has resulted from a lack of adherence to building codes.
Licensed in 20 States and Two Territories
| State | Licensing |
| Alabama | PE |
| Arizona | PE & SE |
| Arkansas | PE |
| California | PE & SE |
| Colorado | PE |
| Florida | PE |
| Hawaii | SE |
| Illinois | SE |
| State | Licensing |
| Kentucky | PE |
| Louisiana | PE |
| Nebraska | SE |
| Nevada | SE |
| New Mexico | PE |
| North Carolina | PE |
| Oregon | PE & SE |
| State | Licensing |
| South Carolina | PE |
| Tennessee | PE |
| Texas | PE |
| Utah | SE |
| US Virgin Islands | PE |
| Washington | PE & SE |
| Washington DC | PE & SE |
