Despite—or perhaps because of—increases in design sophistication and advances in construction techniques, there seems to be a proliferation of structural failures. In the United States the investigation of structural failures and the resolution of claims have developed to an almost "routine practice" with procedures, protocols, and alternative dispute resolutions, in which the forensic structural consultant/expert is a major player. Forensic Engineering and particularly Forensic Structural Engineering is now a highly regarded, extremely valuable and well respected field of professional engineering practice.

The objectives of the Forensic Engineering Group are to report on causes of failures, lessons learned and used, to prevent re-occurrence; monitor and report on the engineering investigations of structural failures; report and propose improvements of practice based on the lessons learned from failures; publicize methods of engineers' emergency response; publicize techniques of field and analytical evaluations of failures; inform of effective dispute resolution procedures; promote ethical standards and practices in the investigation process, resolution and judgment of cases of structural failures.

Since its initial formation as a committee in 2001, the Forensic Engineering Group has organized technical lectures, seminars, and symposiums to provide opportunities for continued education and inform the engineering community how to mitigate failures and improve forensic engineering practices. To obtain more information about the Forensic Engineering Group, you can contact one of the group officers.