bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La mujer en la percepción de los estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación
Authors: Flores Gutiérrez María , Taquiri Yanqui Necías
Published: January 2021

La investigación tuvo como propósito, analizar y explicar la percepción de los estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga sobre la situación de la mujer. Para su ejecución se eligió una muestra de juicio de 209 estudiantes de las series 400 y 500, a quienes se les aplicó una encuesta con la finalidad de indagar los conocimientos que poseen sobre: la situación de la mujer en la historia, los intelectuales que abordaron el tema de la mujer, la vulneración de los derechos de la mujer, la emancipación de la mujer y mujeres emblemáticas del Perú. El primer hallazgo revela que, la mayoría de los encuestados poseen escasos conocimientos sobre temas que conciernen a la mujer. Otro hallazgo es que la mayoría de los encuestados poseen una concepción culturalista sobre la situación de la mujer, pues, el 70% identifican como causa de la vulneración de los derechos de la mujer el predominio de la cultura machista; en consecuencia, afirman que la emancipación auténtica debe empezar por la educación. El último hallazgo importante es que, la mayoría de los estudiantes ya superaron la concepción tradicional que reducía a la mujer al rol de buena madre y buena esposa, porque el 84.5% de los encuestados conciben que la mujer ideal es aquella que participa en el proceso productivo, y el 86% de los encuestados afirman que la fidelidad se les debe exigir por igual a los varones y las mujeres.
Educación financiera y visión empresarial en los estudiantes universitarios de la UNSCH periodos periodo 2017-2018
Authors: Quispe Quintana Luz , Yancce Allccaco Víctor
Published: January 2021

Dentro de un contexto de cultura emprendedora, que es parte del perfil profesional universitario, el desarrollo de la educación financiera influye en la visión empresarial de los estudiantes. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue determinar cómo la escasa educación financiera influye en el desarrollo de la visión empresarial en los estudiantes universitarios y su relación con los conocimientos, habilidades y destrezas para encontrar oportunidades empresariales, uso de recursos e impulsar valores personales necesarios para hacer empresa. Esta investigación es de carácter aplicativo y los métodos empleados fueron descriptivo y analítico, sobre la base de la observación, análisis y síntesis. Se consideró como muestra a 102 estudiantes de la facultad de Ciencias Económicas Administrativas y Contables y se evaluó la currícula y perfil profesional. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que los estudiantes universitarios tienen escasos conocimientos prácticos de educación financiera que les limita encontrar oportunidades empresariales, que viene desde la forma de pensar respecto a la situación económica actual, comportamiento financiero y decisiones conscientes respecto a sus expectativas futuras personales y profesionales. Carecen de experiencia en procedimientos financieros prácticos y es una limitante en el uso de recursos, pues no tienen planes de ahorro domésticos, planes presupuestales personales, carecen de conocimientos, habilidades y actitudes para administrar sus finanzas de manera correcta, orientados a generar su propia fuente de ingresos, sabiendo dónde buscar oportunidades económicas de crecimiento sustentado en valores personales que garanticen su permanencia en el tiempo.
Causas y consecuencias de la violencia doméstica contra la mujer en zonas rurales del distrito de Chiara. Ayacucho-2018
Authors: Prado Martínez Clotilde , Rodríguez Lizana Maritza
Published: January 2021

Objetivo: Determinar las causas y consecuencias de la violencia doméstica contra la mujer en zonas rurales distrito de chiara - Ayacucho -2018.Material y Métodos: Descriptivo correlacional. Técnica: Encuesta y entrevista. Instrumento: cuestionario y guía de entrevista. Población: Lo conformaron todos las mujeres que sufren violencia doméstica de la zona rural del distrito de Chiara. Muestra: Lo conformaron 10 mujeres que sufren violencia doméstica de la zona rural del distrito de Chiara. El tipo de muestreo fue no probabilística Resultados: Respecto a causas de violencia doméstica se tiene que el 60% de estos varones tienen con conducta agresiva, un 40% de las mujeres víctimas de violencia doméstica siempre tuvieron experiencia de violencia intrafamiliar, Respecto al motivo de maltrato, las mujeres agredidas refieren que un 40% se debió a lo económico, 30% se debió al alcoholismo; el 30% de las mujeres pasaron su infancia en una familia nuclear en conjunto con otras familias. En cuanto a consecuencias se tiene un 40% de las consecuencias en los hijos está relacionada a la dificultad de aprender las lecciones; un 70% de las mujeres refieren deserción escolar de sus hijos y un 30% señalan haber abandonado sus hogares; un 30% de mujeres señalan tener una baja autoestima. Conclusiones: La conducta del agresor es agresivo en un 60%, con una deserción escolar de los hijos de un 70%.
Neuropatía Auditiva Infantil
Authors: Tapia Tocca Mª Cruz
Published: January 2021

La combinación de las otoemisiones acústicas transitorias (OEAT) y los potenciales evocados auditivos del tronco cerebral (PEATC) nos permite identificar a un grupo de pacientes con neuropatía auditiva (NA), cuyas implicaciones clínicas y terapéuticas constituyen un reto en nuestra práctica otológica. La población pediátrica estudiada por nosotros, no ha manifestado una alteración en el examen neurológico o en la resonancia nuclear magnética cerebral o de los oídos internos. Las OEAT y los timpanogramas tipo A,se registraron en el 100% de los casos. Los reflejos estapediales y los PEATC estaban ausentes en todos los pacientes. En la audiometría tonal o conductual, el grado de hipoacusia neurosensorial osciló entre leve a moderada, siendo bilateral en todos los casos. Los niños que colaboraron en las pruebas verbales, demostraron una desproporcionada disminución de la comprensión de la palabra que no correspondió a sus audiogramas tonales. Los hallazgos previos sugieren que la lesión es neurosensorial, con normofuncionalidad de las células ciliadas externas cocleares (OEAT presentes). No se puede precisar si la lesión está localizada en las células ciliadas internas, en el octavo par o en ambos. Las etiologías más probables que han justificado la NA han sido: hiperbilirrubinemia, anoxia perinatal, prematuridad o idiopáticas. El resultado de la rehabilitación del lenguaje con los audífonos demuestra una efectividad limitada. Todos los pacientes están siendo tratados por un terapeuta en el leguaje. El éxito de esta terapia depende de la precocidad en su instauración.
MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN BERBICARA SISWA PADA MATA PELAJARAN BAHASA INDONESIA MELALUI METODE ROLE PLAYING
Authors: Mukarromah Omah
Published: January 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah (1) meningkatkan kemampuan berbicara siswa pada mata pelajaran bahasa Indonesia kelas IV SDN Drangong 1 melalui metode role playing; dan (2) mengetahui efektivitas metode pembelajaran role playing dalam meningkatkan kamampuan berbicara siswa pada mata pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia kelas IV SDN Drangon 1. Jenis penelitian adalah penelitian tindakan kelas. Pelaksanaan penelitian tindakan kelas ini terdiri dari 3 siklus. Untuk mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan berbicara siswa sebelum diberikan tindakan, terlebih dahulu dilakukan prapenelitian sebagai bahan patokan dalam pembentukan kelompok dan pengolahan nilai peningkatan kemampuan berbicara siswa. Dari hasil observasi, evaluasi dan refleksi pada setiap tindakan kelas, maka dapat ditarik simpulan bahwa kemampuan berbicara pada mata pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia siswa Kelas IV SDN Drangong 1 Kecamatan Taktakan Kota Serang dapat ditingkatkan dengan menggunakan metode pembelajaran Role Playing.
Forensic Engineering Critique Of The Methodology Eliminating Fire Cause Possibilities
Authors: Owens Roger L.
Published: January 2021

In A Case Involving A Residential Fire With Fatalities, Plaintiff Experts Alleged That The Fire Originated In A Bedroom As A Result Of An Electrical Failure In An Oscillating Pedestal Fan. At The Time Of The Fire, The Fan Was Plugged Into A Six Foot Extension Cord That Was Lying On The Floor Under The Bed And Plugged Into A Standard 115 Volt Duplex Receptacle. The Plaintiffs, Specific In Their Allegations, Opined That The Failure Occurred In The Rotary Switch That Controlled The Speed Of The Fan Even Though No Physical Evidence Of A Failure Of That Nature Was Identified Or Collected During The Analyses Of The Fire Scene. Since No Physical Evidence Of A Failure Was Identified, Nfpa 921, Guide For Fire & Explosion Investigations, Requires That All Other Potential Ignition Sources In The Area Of Origin Be Eliminated As A Possible Cause. Plaintiffs Eliminated The Power Cord For The Fan, The Extension Cord And The Cord Plug And Cord Receptacle Connection Under The Theory That The Material Was Pvc With A Vw-1 Fire Rating. Plaintiffs Testified That The Self Extinguishing Characteristics Of Vw-1 Material Were Such That, Even With An Electrical Failure In One Of Those Components That Resulted In The Ignition Of The Material, There Would Be Insufficient Heat Released To Ignite The Box Spring For The Bed. Plaintiffs Also Eliminated Improperly Discarded Smoking Material As A Potential Cause.Efendants Were In Sharp Disagreement With Plaintiff Case In Chief Regarding The Elimination Of The Vw-1 Materials As A Potential Fire Cause, Since The Material Will Combust In Situations With A Sustained Electrical Fault. Defendants Conducted Tests Which Not Only Demonstrated An Electrical Failure With Ignition At The Extension Cord Plug Receptacle Interface, But Also That The Burning Vw-1 Pvc Released Sufficient Heat Energy To Ignite A Box Spring Similar To The Box Spring Involved In The Fire. The Results Of Those Tests Assisted In The Resolution Of The Case Prior To Trial.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Water Infiltration Into Subgrade Apartments
Authors: Swanson Paul G.
Published: January 2021

A Forensic Investigation Was Conducted Into The Flooding Of Several Below-Grade Apartment Units To Determine The Proximate Cause Of Water Infiltration And Subsequent Mold Damage. The Paper Describes How The Construction Of The Corrective Design Installed By The Plaintiff Expert Led To Discovering The Mechanism And Cause Of The Flooding And Supported The Defendant Case.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Hazards Associated With Operating An Atv By A Paraplegic
Authors: Kilpatrick Gary E.
Published: January 2021

A Paraplegic Plaintiff Filed A Lawsuit Against The Defendant And Alleged The Defendant Failed To Make Reasonable Accommodations Required By The Fair Housing Amendments Act (Fhaa) To Meet The Needs Of A Resident With A Disability. The Paraplegic Plaintiff Requested That He Be Allowed To Use An All Terrain Vehicle (Atv) On The Streets Of A Subdivision. An Atv Is A Rider Active Vehicle And Is Physically Demanding To Operate. An Atv Should Never Be Ridden By A Person Physically Limited By Paraplegia. The Lawsuit Was Dismissed By The Court Due To Insufficient Evidence Alleged By The Paraplegic Plaintiff.
Forensic Engineering Assessments Of Ruptured Acetylene Cylinders
Authors: Grantham Jesse A.
Published: January 2021

Ruptured Acetylene Cylinder Remnants And Exemplar Acetylene Cylinders, Exposed To A Building Fire, Were Assessed For Pre-Explosion Gas Leak Potential In The Metallurgical Laboratory Using Forensicngineering Protocols. In This Case, 2 Acetylene Cylinders Exploded, And A Building Fire Caused Extensiveroperty Damage And Business Interruption At A Welding Fabrication Facility. Possibilities Of Metallurgicalailures For The Cylinder Shell, Fuse Plugs And Valves Included A Series Of Mechanical Tests, Nondestructiveests And Microscopy Protocols. The Forensic Engineer Considered Corrosive Effects From Constituent Elementsn The Acetylene Gas And The Porous Media Saturated With Acetone Inside The Acetylene Cylinders. Lso, Leaks From Mechanical Damage Were Considered In The Shell, Head, Bottom, Fuse Plugs And Valve. He Forensic Engineer Examined The Cylinder Wall Fracture Surface Features, Pressure Vessel Design, Wallhickness, Low-Melting Temperature Fuse Plugs, And Valve Designs. He Forensic Engineer Scope Of Work Included Visual Examination Of The Cylinder Metal Shell,Ractured Edge Surfaces, Fuse Plug Attachments, And Valves To Ssess Possible Metallurgical Causes Forre-Explosion Gas Leaks From The Acetylene Cylinders Due To Corrosion Or Mechanical Damage Before Theylinder Rupture Events.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of A Propane fueled Residential Gas Explosion
Authors: Komm David S.
Published: January 2021

The Use Of Liquid Petroleum Or Commercial Propane Gas (Hereafter Referred To As Propane) For Residential heating And Cooking Is Common In The Rural United States Where Providing The Infrastructure For natural Gas Distribution Would Be Too Costly. A Typical Installation May Include A 500 Gallon Pressurized vessel Containing A Mixture Of Liquid And Vapor Propane With The Vapor Fed To An Individual Residence through An Underground Line. Safety Features, Such As Odorization Of The Propane, Multi-Regulator Installations, prudent Selection Of Gas Line Components, And System Leak Checks Are Utilized To Prevent And/Or recognize Fugitive Gas Leaks.  in 2005 An Event Occurred In Michigan Which Involved A Flammable Gas Leak, Corrosion, Gas Migration through Soil, A Buildup Of The Flammable Gas, And Subsequent Ignition Resulting In An Explosion which Destroyed A Two Story Home. This Forensic Investigation Eventually Revealed That The Root Cause Of the Incident Lay In Actions Taken During The Original Construction. Some 16 Years After The Installation Of the Subject Gas System Circumstances Came Together To Create An Explosion.
Forensic Engineering Determination Of who Was Driving
Authors: Armstrong Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2021

The Investigation Of Vehicle Crashes Occasionally Presents A Question Of Who Was Driving A Vehicle At the Time Of A Collision. Many Accidents Result In Drivers And Passengers Being Thrown About The Passenger compartment, Or Being Completely Ejected From Their Vehicle. In Such Cases, Driver, Passenger, And witness Statements Are Often In Conflict With One Another; Especially When The Driver Could Potentially be Charged With A Crime, Or Be Held Liable For Damages Resulting From A Crash. In Many Cases, Physical evidence Can Provide The Forensic Engineer With Information To Conduct A Proper Reconstruction Of The crash, To Perform An Occupant Kinematic Analysis, And To Make A Determination And Render An Opinion regarding Who Was Driving The Vehicle At The Time Of The Crash.  this Paper Will Address Methodologies For Data Collection And Crash Reconstruction That Can Be Used in Determining Who Was Driving A Vehicle At The Time Of A Crash. It Will Include Instruction To The At-Scene investigator As To Data That Can Be Helpful In Such Analyses And Determinations. Two Case Studies Will Be presented In Which The Author Analyzed The Crash Data To Determine Who Was Driving.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of failures In Plumbing Components
Authors: Vasudevan R. Vasu
Published: January 2021

Plumbing Systems Are Assemblies Of Multiple Components And Parts (Products) To Perform Design Functions and Maintain The Pressure Boundary Integrity. Installation, Product (Manufacturing, Design And material) And External (Over-Pressure, Impacts, Temperature, Misuse, Abuse, And Environment) Defects can Compromise The Pressure Boundary Integrity And Result In Leak/Flood. This Paper Presents The Systematic methodology For The Failure Analysis Of Plumbing Components By Applying Science And Engineering.  this Paper Describes The Use Of Various Analytical And Physical Experimental Tools Such As The Finite element Modeling (Fem), Radiography (x-Ray), Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sem) And Materials analysis, As Well.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Responsibility For Failure Of Temporary Wall Bracing
Authors: Huff Tony
Published: January 2021

A Concrete Sub-Contractor Was Injured When A Tall Standing Wood Stud-Framed Wall Fell During A Strong Wind Storm. The Accident Happened On A Friday Afternoon As Concrete Workers Waited For The Opportunity To Finish A Morning Concrete Pour For A New Restaurant That Was Under Construction. Realizing That The Wind Was Going To Topple The Interior Wall On The Newly Placed Concrete, Efforts Were Made To Keep The Wall From Falling. The Wall Could Not Be Steadied And It Fell, Allegedly Injuring A Concrete Worker. The Framing Sub-Contractor Had Used Typical 2x6 Lumber To Make Temporary Braces To Steady The Walls Plumb And True As The Framing And Standing Of Walls Progressed Toward The Completion Of The Roof Structure. To Avoid Damage To An Exposed Decorative Concrete Surface In The Dining Area, The Main Interior Wall Was Braced To The Kitchen Side Where The Concrete Sub-Contractor Was Placing Concrete That Day. The Framing Sub-Contractor Was Named As A Defendant In The Lawsuit That Followed. The Attorney For The Framing Sub-Contractor Secured The Services Of The Fe On Behalf Of The Framing Sub-Contractor. Depositions Revealed That Bracing For The Standing Stud-Framed Interior Wall Was Not In Place At The Time Of The Accident. This Paper Pieces Together The Sequence Of Events And Reviews The Roles And Contractual Responsibilities Of Both The General Contractor And The Sub-Contractor As Related To Project Scheduling, Project Management, Jobsite Coordination, And Overall Jobsite Safety. Acceleration Of The Project Schedule And Coordination Issues With Overlapping Jobsite Activities Were Identified As Contributing Factors Preceding The Collapse Of The Wall. The Case Was Settled Out-Of-Court For Nuisance Value One (1) Day Before Trial Was Scheduled To Begin.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Building Depressurization Induced Product Re-Entry
Authors: Certuse John P.
Published: January 2021

With The Advances In Building Materials And Practices Through The Building Expansions Of The 1980 And 90, Along With The Inherent Benefits Of These Improvements, Some Unwanted Side Effects Have Resulted As Well. Indoor Air Quality (Iaq) Issues Ranging From Mold And Dust Accumulations Have Become Both A Nuisance As Well As, In Some Instances Health Issues To Many Homeowners Who Own Houses With These Inherent Problems. One Such Chronic Building Issue Is The Result Of The Failure To Recognize The House Heating (Or Combustion) Appliance As A Ystem This Problem Is Known As Epressurization Induced Combustion Re-Entry Depressurization Induced Combustion Re-Entry Is The Re-Introduction Of Combustion Emissions Back Into A Structure As A Result Of Negative Air Pressures Developed By The Structure As Well As The Location Of The Point Of Discharge Of The Emissions From The Combustion Appliance. Combustion Appliances Can Be Anything From A Boiler, Furnace Or Fireplace And This Problem Occurs Regardless Of The Type Of Combustion Fuel Being Consumed In The Structure. This Paper Will Address The Root Causes Of Depressurization Combustion Re-Entry Using Excerpts Of Cases Investigated And Assisted In Litigation The Paper Will Also Address House And System Modifications That Can Be Performed To Reduce Or Eliminate The Effects Of Depressurization Induced Combustion Re-Entry
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Swimming Pool Design And Construction Defects
Authors: Schwartz David W.
Published: January 2021

The Design And Construction Of Swimming Pools Often Includes A Wide Range Of Participants. Residential Pools Are Typically Constructed By A Builder Connected To A Vendor, With Little Professional Design Involvement. Pools For Public, Commercial Or Institutional Use Are More Likely To Be Designed By A Licensed Engineer, But May Actually Use An Unlicensed Professional. Multimillion Dollar Aquatic Facilities Typically Involve A Design Team Of Licensed Professionals. Lack Of Effective Communication Between Team Members Can Result In Design Defects And Corresponding Construction Defects. Unprofessional And Unlicensed Designers Can Have Business Agendas That Directly Reduce Pool Design Quality. Lack Of Uniform Design Or Construction Standards Can Further Challenge Swimming Pool Project Success. The Following Discussion Provides A Few Examples Of Design And Construction Errors That Directly Contributed To Swimming Pool Defects.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Dot Verses Non-Dot Helmet Performance As A Function Of Velocities Exceeding Standardized Testing As A Function Of Velocities Exceeding Standardized Testing
Authors: Liptai Laura L.
Published: January 2021

Motorcyclists Suffer Serious Trauma More Often Than Automotive Occupants Tracing To Contact With Non-Yielding Road Surfaces And/Or Direct Impact From Other Vehicles. A Motorcycle Helmet Is The Principal Defense To Head Impact. If A Motorcycle Helmet Passes Dot, Department Of Transportation, Approval, What Performance Improvements Correlate? Dot And Non-Dot Helmets Were Tested To Determine Impact Performance At Velocities Exceeding Standardized Testing Velocities. Three Types Of Dot Approved And Three Types Of Non-Dot Approved Helmets Were Tested At Two Speeds Outside Of The Federal Testing Standards In The United States. The Analysis Was Performed Using An Inverted Pendulum Sub-System Experimental Device With A Hybrid-Iii Anthropometric Dummy Cranium And Neck. Results Quantify The Performance By Category, Model, And Experiment By Test Metric.
Forensic Investigation Of Vehicle Fires In Structures
Authors: Leshner Michael D.
Published: January 2021

Cars And Trucks Experience Fires Due To A Variety Of Causes, And The Loss Is Generally Limited To The Value Of The Burned Vehicle. When A Vehicle Defect Or Recent Repair Is Suspected To Be The Cause, The Modest Economic Value Of The Loss Does Not Usually Warrant A Forensic Engineering Investigation And The Expense Of Litigation. However, When Vehicles Burn Inside A Garage Or Other Structure, The Value Of The Loss Can Be Much Greater, And A Thorough Investigation By Fire Investigators And Forensic Engineers Is Often Warranted To Support Potential Litigation. This Paper Will Review Some Cases In Which A Vehicle Burned Within A Garage, Causing Damage To The Structure. In Some Of Those Cases, The Cause Was Clearly Identified And Successfully Litigated. Challenges And Strategies Related To Those Cases Will Be Discussed.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Incidents Involving Corded Window Coverings
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M. , Benjamin T. Railsback
Published: January 2021

It Has Been Recognized For Many Years That Young Children Have Been Involved In Incidents, Including Strangulation, With The Cords Associated With Window Covering Products Such As Window Blinds Or Shades. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (Cpsc) Has Identified Window Coverings With Cords As One Of The Top Five Hidden Hazards In The Home. According To Cpsc A Child Dies About Once A Month And Another Child Suffers A Near Strangulation.3 The Cpsc Currently Recommends The Use Of Cordless Products Wherever Children Live Or Visit. This Paper Will Identify The Hazards, Or Design Features Which Create Loops, Associated With Corded Window Covering Products Based On Incident Reports And Design Analysis. The Paper Will Further Identify The Risk, Or The Probability And Severity, Associated With The Hazard Modes. Additionally The Paper Will Address Historical And Current Engineering Design Efforts To Reduce The Injury Potential For Corded Window Coverings.
Forensic Engineering Investigation Of Dezincification In A Major Corrosion Litigation
Authors: Anderson Robert N.
Published: January 2021

Zinc-Rich Brasses With The Zinc Content Above 30% Can Be Involved In Corrosion Processes With Catastrophic Results. The Dezincification Results In A Low Strength Copper With A Porous Sponge Like Structure. The Case, Where Dezincification Occurred With Massive Impact, Involved 34,000 New Homes In An Urban Location In Nevada. These Homes Were Constructed Using Building Code Approved Plastic Pex Tubing For Plumbing With Brass Fittings. Leaks Developed In The Home Plumbing Systems After Approximately 3-6 Years. This Failure Resulted In Lawsuits Involving Home Owner Associations, Insurance Companies, Contractors, Plumbers, Architects, Manufacturers, And Suppliers.
Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Lightning Strikes And Surge Related Losses
Authors: Falany Curtis E.
Published: January 2021

Lightning Is A Powerful And Dangerous Natural Force. It Is Capable Of Inflicting Significant Damage To Our Environment And Causing Injury Or Death In Living Organisms. Electrical And Electronic Circuits Are Particularly Susceptible To Lightning, Both From Direct Strikes And From Lightning Induced Electrical Surges. Fires Often Result From Lightning Strikes. Injury And Death Can Result From Both Direct Strikes, Lightning Induced Electrical Surges, And Indirectly From Structure Damage And Fires. The Insurance In-Dustry Offers Coverage For Lighting Related Losses And A Forensic Engineer Is Often Consulted To Assist In Adjusting The Claim.
The Forensic Engineer in State and Federal Court
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M.
Published: January 2021

This paper outlines the legal system in the United States, the different types of courts, the differences between criminal and civil law, and the role of forensic engineering experts involved in civil lawsuits. After providing a summary of relevant procedures employed by civil and criminal courts, the paper describes the basic principles and requirements for the selection and work of a forensic engineering expert in both the state and federal court system. This paper outlines the role and function of forensic experts (specifically forensic engineers), in the United States court system. It is not a treatise on the legal system but on the role of experts. The paper presents the requirements typically used in today’s legal system to qualify a forensic engineer as an expert witness and to accept his or her work and opinions. Furthermore, this paper discusses who can be an expert witness, the expert’s report, applicable standards, conducted research, engineering opinions, and final testimony in court — and how those elements fit into the legal system. Lastly, the paper describes the concept of spoliation of evidence.
Furnace Malfunction & Forensic Engineering Wiring Reconstruction
Authors: Certuse John
Published: January 2021

This paper details the fire investigation and forensic engineering failure analysis of an oil-fired furnace that had been recently installed. An underlying focus of this paper is the procedure that was used to analyze the elec-trical and mechanical components leading to the failure – given that evidence had been spoliated. This process demonstrates that by following a systematic investigation procedure, forensic engineers may reconstruct evidence that (in some cases) has been either destroyed or altered (whether intentionally or not) to a level that allows fur-ther insight into the malfunction. This paper details the procedure used to document deviations from intended wiring schematics as well as the physical characteristics of electrical controls and wiring materials used in its construction. The intent of the paper is to show how this investigation procedure can be applied to other forensic investigations where electrical circuit evidence has been altered or a spoliator’s identity is not readily known.
Forensic Engineering Experience with Electrically Ignited Fires
Authors: Boyell Roger L.
Published: January 2021

After a fire that may have been caused by an electrical defect or malfunction, significant physical evidence is often what was most destroyed in the fire. The evidence void might be filled with fire investigators’ inference or speculation that the cause was a specific electrical failure. This paper illustrates two fires in which the initial reconstructions claiming electrical ignition were subsequently found to be wrong. In one case, an investigator drew a conclusion about an extension cord from a floor fire pattern, and this interpretation was refuted when further evidence was unearthed. Investigators on another case retained evidence to support an obviously defective room air conditioner. However, the unit later was shown to be only a victim of the fire, and the needed evidence had been lost. Both cases involved extensive litigation.
Forensic Engineering Investigation of Workplace Incidents Involving Machinery
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M.
Published: January 2021

On many occasions, a forensic engineer faces numerous questions when investigating workplace incidents involving machinery, such as: Why did this incident happen? Was it the operator who caused the incident? Was the operator properly trained? Was the equipment properly maintained? Was the equipment defectively designed or manufactured? This paper focuses on potential product defect issues. How can one determine whether the product was defec-tive and unreasonably dangerous? The paper outlines issues related to the investigation of product liability cases, and discusses potential procedures and steps to be taken in order to establish whether the product is defective or unreasonably dangerous. The author explains the role of industrial regulations and standards from sources such as the Code of Fed-eral Regulations (CFR), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and other entities in the process of as-sessing product safety. In addition, the role of the safety triad, technical and economic feasibility, and warnings/instructions in assessing product safety are examined. The author also discusses another useful approach to safety: implementation of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA). Finally, two product cases are presented to illustrate the process of safety analysis and investigation.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Vehicle-Pedestrian Impact Using EDR Data and Reconstruction Software
Authors: Kravitz Michael
Published: January 2021

This paper will analyze a pedestrian impact with a 2012 vehicle in a criminal matter. The driver of the vehicle struck the pedestrian before crashing into a chain-link fence and tree. The driver was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated (DWI). The question was: Where was the pedestrian standing when she was struck? The airbag control module was downloaded by the prosecution expert. The speed, steering angle, and longitudinal/ lateral accelerations were recorded for a period of 5 seconds prior to algorithm wake-up as a result of a fence side-swipe and then algorithm enable (AE) for the deployment of the vehicle-side airbags after impacting a tree. The recorded data was input into Virtual Crash and PC-Crash (accident reconstruction software that uses Newton’s laws of motions in analysis). The software allowed the time-distance-speed path of the vehicle to be visualized. The prosecution expert opined that the pedestrian was struck on the sidewalk a short distance from where she came to rest. This author was retained by the defense to determine the pedestrian’s posi-tion — either in the roadway or on the sidewalk.
Forensic Analysis of Wind Power Generator Tower Cracking
Authors: Jones James William
Published: January 2021

Generators that produce electricity for modern wind farms are mounted atop large steel towers. The hollow cylindrical towers, which are typically more than 250 feet in height, are fabricated from mild steel plates (approximately 1-inch-thick and 10 to 12 feet in diameter). Cracks in the steel plates measuring more than 4 feet long were observed in such a tower. The author was retained to determine the cause of the cracking and if that cause was a result of incorrect design (owner) or poor fabrication quality (contractor). Laboratory examination of the crack morphology and finite element analyses techniques were used to characterize the root cause of the failure. Cyclic loading on the tower was developed from wind rose data for the site. It was ultimately shown that the cause of the steel plate cracking was flow-induced vibrations resulting from von Karman street vortex shedding — not the fore-aft loads of the direct wind forces on the blades.
Forensic Investigation of Water Leakage Issues into Buildings, Recreating the Leaks Vs. Determining the Cause
Authors: Farahmandpour Kami
Published: January 2021

Forensic investigations of water leakage through building envelopes often involve complex investigation techniques and testing. In many cases, forensic investigators perform testing under controlled conditions to recreate the leaks and to determine whether design and/or construction defects resulted in leaks. However, construction-related litigation involves complex lines of contractual responsibility and multiple parties. As such, allocating responsibility to various parties requires an increased level of scrutiny. This paper provides an overview of typical construc-tion defect cases and how the lines of contractual obligations can impact the scope of investigation by a forensic engineer. As a case history, a forensic engineering investigation of water leakage reported in a recently constructed building will be reviewed. The plaintiffs’ experts performed testing to recreate the leaks, and adequately proved that the designs or construction methods of the exterior walls were defective. However, they were unable to prove causation attributed to one prime contractor who did not settle prior to trial. At trial, the defendant’s expert demonstrated other potential paths of water leakage that were not attributed to the defendant, raising sufficient doubts about the liability of the sole defendant at trial.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Shopping Mall Explosion
Authors: Tindal Jerry R.
Published: January 2021

On May 7, 2009 a catastrophic explosion occurred at a shopping mall located just outside of Washington, D.C. As a result of the explosion, several persons, including multiple firefighters, were injured, and a large portion of the mall was destroyed. This paper examines the cause of the explosion.
Preliminary Analysis of Roadway Accident Rates for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Drivers — Forensic Engineering Application
Authors: Gordon Martin E. , Pearson Justin J.
Published: January 2021

According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 360 million people worldwide with hearing loss. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that close to 30% of the United States population 65 years or older has significant hearing loss. The objective of this paper was to determine if deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers are more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents than hearing drivers. Data was extracted from the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) and motor vehicle accident recordsfrom the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) campuses. The results of the NASS data analysis indicate that deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers are one and a half to nine times as likely to be seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident. Motor vehicle accident records from RIT and NTID suggest that deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers are approximately three times as likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident as hearing individuals. Forensic engineers may be able to use this data to assist in forensic engineering analysis in cases where deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers are involved.
Effects of Evidence Spoliation on Forensic Engineering Analysis of Alleged Brake Servicing Defects
Authors: Leffler John
Published: January 2021

A forensic case involved an allegation of defective minivan brake repairs. On a wet two-lane road, the minivan left the road while stopping, and impacted a telephone pole. The plaintiff driver’s complaints implied a dragging brake, and the plaintiff ’s expert reported a bent lower caliper bolt. This forensic investigation involved instrumented exemplar analysis of the effects on caliper drag that could be caused by a bent caliper bolt. The investigation methodology was chosen (in part) based on significant evidence spoliation on the part of the plaintiff ’s expert. This paper will also discuss the effects of the spoliation and resulting limitations on the scope of the analysis.
The Impact of the Lack of Marine and Rail Standards on the Transportation of Large Power Transformers
Authors: Gillingham David
Published: January 2021

Power transformers (>10MVA) are typically shipped from the factory by rail or marine cargo ship. In these harsh shipping environments, transformers are subjected to a variety of vibrational and impact forces. If these forces are too great, the transformers could be damaged, resulting in premature failure. There are few guidelines that describe best practices for monitoring, and, more importantly, mitigating such stresses when shipping transformers. Furthermore, manufacturers, railways, and marine shipping companies do not always have thisinformation available, particularly for refurbished units. This paper discusses the impact this documentation drought may have for the affected parties.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Fuel Usage and Thermostat Settings
Authors: Certuse John
Published: January 2021

According to the Insurance Institute, frozen pipes are one of the leading causes of building damage in the United States. In the forensic engineering analysis of building damage due to burst pipes, fuel tank runout orexcessive thermostat setback are common causes of these losses — and may lead to a fuel provider being culpable for a late fuel delivery or the property owner being responsible due to excessively turning down thermostat settings. This paper will address the relationship between thermostat settings and fuel consumption. From abuilding’s demonstrated fuel consumption and known thermostat settings, corresponding changes in thermostat settings and the resulting fuel consumption will be discussed. Department Of Energy adjustments for fuel savings in relation to thermostat setback will be discussed as well as a fuel usage study in an exemplar home. Forensic case examples utilizing this relationship will also be presented.
Advanced Technologies Utilized in the Reconstruction of an Officer-Involved Shooting Incident
Authors: Ziernicki Richard M. , Leiloglo Angelos G.
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a case study that utilized many of the latest forensic technologies to reconstruct the events that occurred during an officer-involved shooting incident in which a police officer fatally shot a fel-low police officer. The shooting reconstruction utilized 3-D high-definition laser scanning, “matchmoving” of police helicopter infrared video footage, motion capture, photogrammetry, creation of a 3-D interactive virtual shooting scene, and virtual reality display systems. It also outlines how the trajectory of bullets were reconstructed, and how the position and posture of the shooting officer and victim officer were determined. Finally, federal judge rulings on various Daubert motions (509 U.S. 579 [1993]) to exclude or limit testi-mony of expert witnesses are presented.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of a Motorsports Racing Incident
Authors: Knapp Stephen D. , Ziernicki Richard M. , Railsback Ben
Published: January 2021

The motorsports racing industry was built on the foundation of people wanting to engage in competition, take risks, and enjoy the capabilities of their go-fast hobbies. Risk undoubtedly accompanies such dangerous activities. As a result, race participants sign a waiver, giving up their right to file claims against organizers of the racing event. Who then is liable for the failure of a component that is certified for racing and is responsible for an injury? This paper will address this question and outline important factors related to an incident involving the failure of a race-certified transmission flexplate that resulted in serious injury.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Quadcopter Drone Personal Injury
Authors: Peruzzi Robert O.
Published: January 2021

A hobbyist/owner was using her remote-control model quadcopter drone for the first time when it descended and collided with a bystander. The owner believed there was a malfunction. The retaining insurance adjuster requested a review of the owner’s manual and user’s guide, photos and diagrams of the scene, e-mail communications, police report, and a forensic investigation of the quadcopter to determine if there was a malfunction. This paper introduces unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) for hobbyists, describes the UAS involved in this incident, outlines the planned investigation steps, and describes the sequence of events of the incident as well as resolution of the investigation. The initial activity for this case (reading manuals) prompted a question to the owner, the answer to which exposed her lack of aircraft and operating knowledge. The author convinced her that continuing the case might be embarrassing as well as costly. The planned investigation was never executed.
Forensic Engineering Comparison of Two Masonry Cladding Systems
Authors: Hodgin Derek A.
Published: January 2021

In a recent construction litigation case, there was a disagreement between two qualified engineering experts regarding the technical requirements of a masonry veneer cladding system that was installed on the exterior walls of a residential structure. The disagreement among the experts was related to the classification and function of the veneer cladding system. Specifically, the classification of the cladding system as cast stone or adhered masonry veneer directly impacted the functional requirements set forth by applicable codes and standards. Depending on this classification, the veneer system may or may not be subject to various aspects of the building code, industry standards, and code evaluation reports. The primary areas of concern included the attachment of the panels (i.e., anchored vs. adhered) to the masonry substrate, the extent of water intrusion, and the need for water management details (i.e., flashing and weep holes). Both expert witnesses relied on applicable building codes, industry standards, and manufacturer literature to form their opinions to a “reasonable degree of engineering certainty,” yet these technical differences remained. This paper presents the technical highlights of this case study and identifies the issues where building codes and applicable standards require further clarification.
Forensic Engineer Expert Communications: Lessons Learned from the March 2014 Oso Landslide Litigation
Authors: Storesund Rune
Published: January 2021

This paper presents lessons learned following an examination of expert discovery protocols related to the March 2014 Oso Landslide litigation in Washington State. An overview of the March 2014 landslide, its devastating effects, and the formulation of an expert team to evaluate allegations brought forth in the litigation are discussed. Challenges associated with developing the expert opinions in this case are reviewed, a chronology of expert disclosure protocols are discussed, and the court’s interpretation/response is outlined.Finally, specific lessons are presented to inform future forensic evaluations requiring communication between expert team members. The controversy associated with disclosure protocols resulted, in part, with the State of Washington settling the case and not going to trial with the accumulated evidence addressing the plaintiff’s allegations.
Forensic Engineering Investigations of Residential Clothes Dryer Fires
Authors: Keefe William R.
Published: January 2021

Residential clothes dryers are common in the United States, and thousands of residential fires involving clothes dryers occur each year. Forensic engineers are called upon to conduct scientific analyses of the causative factors in these fires. Forensic engineering investigations of clothes dryer fires consider design, installation, use, and maintenance of clothes dryers as well as evaluate ignition sources, first fuel ignited, fire containment and fire spread. A forensic engineering methodology for investigation of clothes dryers will bepresented in this paper, drawing on experience from hundreds of residential clothes dryer fire investigations.
Forensic Engineering Analysis of Commercial Vehicle Air Brake Systems Performance
Authors: Ogden Jerry S. , Martonovich Mathew
Published: January 2021

Braking systems for heavy commercial vehicles differ greatly from the design for light-duty motor vehicles. For example, 49 CFR 571.121 and 49 CFR 393.52 require loaded buses, single unit commercial vehicles, and vehicle-trailer combinations equipped with air brake systems to generate sufficient braking force to meet specific stopping distance, stopping acceleration rate, and brake force-to-weight percentage performance criteria. The combination of unique design, mechanical complexity, and maintenance issues characteristic to air brake systems also pose difficulty in the analysis of air brake system performance. Air brake system performance presents a difficult problem for the forensic engineer with limited familiarity regarding air brake system functions and the elements affecting brake performance. This paper provides insight into the evolution of air brake system standards and the applicable performance criteria for heavy commercial vehicles. The methods presented allow the forensic engineer to mathematically analyze and determine the effects of brake size, mismatched components, brake adjustment, and system air pressure on the overall braking force and stopping capabilities of air brake equipped commercial vehicles.
Forensic Engineering Investigation into Factors Contributing to Explosion of a Consumer-Grade Tabletop Torch
Authors: Rasty Jahan
Published: January 2021

In early 2013, approximately 3,500 consumer-grade tabletop torches, designed for use with citronella oil to ward off insects, were sold by a retailer. Within six months of their debut, 22 of these products experi-enced sudden explosions, resulting in one fatality and 21 severe burn injuries to consumers. The author was retained as an expert in the fatal explosion case to determine the root cause(s) that led to these explosions. This paper will describe the detailed, experimental-based investigation that was carried out to reveal design, manufacturing, and marketing defects for which the designer of the torch, the manufacturer of the fuel, and the retailer of the final product were responsible. It was determined that the explosions occurred as a result of a “perfect storm” scenario that involved defective product design, defective marketing of the product through the sale of incompatible fuel by the retailer, and deficient warning instructions by the manufacturer.
Forensic Engineering Analyses of Right-Turning Trucks Impacting Bicyclists
Authors: Ziernicki Richard , Pierce William
Published: January 2021

Right-turning trucks present a serious hazard to bicyclists. When a collision between a right-turning truck and a bicyclist occurs, the truck driver often does not realize an impact occurred, and the bicyclist is pushed down and dragged by the truck. Such collisions result in serious injury or death. Forensic engineers are retained to investigate and reconstruct such complex collisions. Oftentimes, there are disputes between forensic engineers as to the impact location, visibility, and reaction processes of both the driver and bicyclist. For example, physical evidence related to impact is usually faint and is a subject of debate between forensic engineers. Forensic engineers also disagree on the direct line-of-sight or line-of-sight through mirrors. Further, reactions (or lack thereof) are typically subject to debate. This paper presents the application of various techniques and methodologies to effectively reconstruct collisions between right-turning trucks and bicyclists. Such techniques and methodologies include the identification and verification of faint physical evidence regarding impact location using computer simulation and/or testing, the use of high-definition laser scans and virtual scenes to replicate mirror line-of-sight or obstruction line-of-sight, evaluation of driver and bicyclist reaction processes, and the use of scientific visualizations to effectively communicate complex issues of a case.