When systems fail, products malfunction, or accidents occur, the question isn't just "what happened?"—it's "why did it happen?" and "who is responsible?" Forensic engineering provides the technical rigor and legal admissibility needed to answer these questions definitively. At TKOResearch, we bring government-grade investigative tradecraft to forensic engineering, combining digital forensics, physical analysis, and materials science to uncover root causes and establish liability.

What is Forensic Engineering?

Forensic engineering applies engineering principles and scientific methods to investigate failures, accidents, and disputes. It's the discipline that determines:

Root cause: The fundamental reason a failure occurred
Proximate cause: The immediate trigger of the incident
Contributing factors: Conditions that enabled or exacerbated the failure
Liability: Who bears responsibility for the failure
Prevention: How similar failures can be avoided

Unlike routine failure analysis, forensic engineering operates within legal and regulatory frameworks, producing findings that can withstand courtroom scrutiny and expert examination.

The TKOResearch Approach: Cyber-Physical Integration

Traditional forensic engineering often focuses purely on mechanical or structural failures. Our unique approach integrates:

Digital Forensics

Modern systems are controlled by software and produce digital evidence:

Embedded system analysis and firmware examination
Control system log analysis
Network communication forensics
IoT device data extraction
Software defect and vulnerability analysis

Physical Analysis

Material and structural investigation revealing physical evidence:

Component failure analysis
Material defects and degradation
Manufacturing quality issues
Environmental stress factors
Wear pattern analysis

Laboratory Capabilities

Our OASIS Analytical Framework provides comprehensive materials analysis:

Microscopy and imaging
Chemical composition analysis
Stress and fatigue testing
Failure mode replication
Counterfeit detection

This cyber-physical nexus reveals insights impossible with siloed approaches.

Core Forensic Engineering Services

Product Liability Investigations

When products fail causing injury or damage:

Consumer Products: Electronics, appliances, and devices

Design defect analysis
Manufacturing defect identification
Failure to warn assessment
Regulatory compliance verification

Industrial Equipment: Machinery and tools

Safety system failure analysis
Operator interface defects
Maintenance requirement adequacy
Industry standard compliance

Fire and Explosion Investigation

Technical analysis determining origin and cause:

Electrical Fire Analysis

Circuit failure identification
Overcurrent and fault analysis
Wiring defect examination
Device malfunction determination

Battery and Energy Storage Failures

Thermal runaway analysis
Manufacturing defect identification
Abuse or misuse detection
Design inadequacy assessment

Construction and Building Forensics

Investigating structural failures and defects:

Structural Failures

Load analysis and stress calculation
Material specification verification
Construction quality assessment
Design adequacy evaluation

Water Intrusion and Damage

Failure mechanism identification
Building envelope analysis
System design review
Maintenance and workmanship evaluation

Cyber-Physical System Failures

Where digital meets physical:

Industrial Control Systems

SCADA system failure analysis
PLC programming defects
Network security compromises
Human-machine interface issues

Automotive Systems

Electronic control unit (ECU) analysis
CAN bus communication forensics
Sensor and actuator failures
Software defect identification

IoT and Smart Devices

Connected device failure analysis
Cloud service reliability issues
Security vulnerability exploitation
Firmware and software defects

Real-World Applications

Insurance Subrogation

Recovering losses by establishing third-party liability:

Subrogation Example: A commercial building fire

Digital forensics of fire alarm and sprinkler systems
Electrical system failure analysis
Materials testing of ignition source
Maintenance record review
Expert determination of responsible party
Result: $2.3M subrogation recovery for carrier

Product Recall Support

Determining scope and cause of product failures:

Recall Investigation: Battery-powered tool failures

Field failure analysis of returned products
Manufacturing process review
Design verification and testing
Root cause identification
Recommendation for recall scope and remediation
Result: Targeted recall reducing liability while maintaining customer safety

Construction Defect Litigation

Supporting claims or defense in construction disputes:

Construction Case: Water intrusion in residential development

Building envelope forensics
Material specification review
Installation workmanship assessment
Design adequacy evaluation
Apportionment of responsibility among contractors
Result: Clear liability determination enabling settlement

Intellectual Property Disputes

Technical analysis in patent and trade secret cases:

IP Investigation: Trade secret theft allegation

Digital forensics revealing data exfiltration
Product tear-down and reverse engineering
Design comparison and similarity analysis
Manufacturing process examination
Result: Clear evidence of misappropriation supporting $5M+ settlement

Daubert-Compliant Methodology

All TKOResearch forensic engineering follows the Daubert standard for scientific evidence:

1. Testability

Hypotheses can be and have been tested using scientific methods

2. Peer Review

Methods are published and accepted in relevant scientific communities

3. Known Error Rates

Techniques have documented accuracy and reliability

4. Standards and Controls

Following established industry standards and best practices

5. General Acceptance

Methods are generally accepted in relevant scientific fields

This rigor ensures our findings are admissible in federal and state courts.

The Investigation Process

Phase 1: Evidence Preservation

Scene documentation and photography
Evidence collection with chain-of-custody
Digital data preservation
Environmental condition recording

Phase 2: Initial Assessment

Preliminary failure analysis
Hypothesis development
Investigation scope determination
Resource allocation planning

Phase 3: Technical Investigation

Detailed examination and testing
Digital forensics and data analysis
Materials analysis and laboratory testing
Expert consultation as needed

Phase 4: Root Cause Determination

Hypothesis validation or rejection
Contributing factor identification
Alternative explanation elimination
Confidence level assessment

Phase 5: Reporting and Testimony

Comprehensive technical report
Executive summary for decision-makers
Visual aids and demonstrative evidence
Deposition and trial testimony as needed

Expert Testimony and Litigation Support

Our forensic engineering experts provide:

Deposition Testimony

Clear explanation of technical findings
Defense of methodology under questioning
Professional demeanor under adversarial examination

Trial Testimony

Jury-friendly explanation of complex concepts
Visual demonstrations and exhibits
Cross-examination preparation and response
Daubert challenge defense

Report Preparation

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure compliance
Clear methodology documentation
Comprehensive findings presentation
Alternative hypothesis consideration

Unique Value Propositions

1. Cyber-Physical Integration

Unlike traditional forensic engineers focused solely on mechanical failures, we seamlessly integrate digital forensics with physical analysis—critical for modern systems where software controls hardware.

2. Government-Grade Tradecraft

Nearly two decades of intelligence community experience applied to failure investigation. We investigate systems like nation-state adversaries analyze targets—comprehensively and rigorously.

3. Rapid Turnaround

48-72 hour preliminary findings for time-critical decisions, with comprehensive reports following in 2-3 weeks. Fast doesn't mean superficial—it means efficient and focused.

4. Laboratory Capabilities

In-house materials analysis through our OASIS Analytical Framework eliminates third-party delays and maintains evidence security.

5. Boutique Service Model

Principal-level expertise on every case. Direct access to our forensic director, not case managers or junior engineers.

When to Engage Forensic Engineering

Consider forensic engineering when:

High-stakes litigation requires expert testimony and technical analysis
Product liability claims need root cause determination
Insurance subrogation seeks third-party liability identification
Regulatory investigations demand scientific rigor and documentation
Internal investigations require independent expert validation
Settlement negotiations need authoritative technical opinions

Getting Started

Whether you're pursuing subrogation, defending a product liability claim, or need expert testimony in complex litigation, TKOResearch's forensic engineering expertise provides the technical rigor and legal admissibility you need.

For immediate consultation: Secure Intake Line at 445-895-1790
For confidential inquiries: Signal at KevinBytes.42

Learn more:

Litigation Support & Expert Testimony for court-ready forensics
Forensic Insurance Investigations for root cause analysis
Strategic Intelligence & Advisory for comprehensive investigations
Hardware Forensics for silicon-level analysis

TKOResearch: Where engineering rigor meets forensic science. From digital evidence to material failure, we investigate the complete system.