What is Forensic Failure Analysis?

Welcome to our first of what will be a line of papers written by our technical experts, concerning the forensic failure analysis of materials. First, what is forensic science? Forensic science, as perhaps understood by most, is more than the use of science to investigate crime, much more actually!!

Forensic science is the use of scientific analysis to investigate any matter which has caused harm or loss to any person or entity, which may result in prolonged litigation and both sides presenting their case in a court of law with a view to establishing where fault lies.

The harm or loss suffered by one party, could be for example the failure of a paint or sealant system which caused water to penetrate a building envelope, or the failure of a consumer product which caused injury or damage to property or the purchase of a materials which was either found to be substandard or counterfeit.

In this regard, we use forensic science methodologies to investigate the failure of materials or to authenticate the origin of those materials.

Those forensic methodologies start before the sample is analysed in the laboratory. To understand the matter fully, we normally commence the investigation by speaking with the parties involved and getting the facts as understood by the parties.

This is how forensic analysis works in commercial cases. The application of science with the aim of determining where the liability sits.

The laboratory investigation of a materials starts after the sample has been assigned a unique sample code. In some cases, the sample received may be further sectioned for use using different analytical procedures. The sample is then photographed as received after which a meeting takes place to decide what work needs to be carried out on the sample.

In most all cases, our analysis will involve the use of a microscope, generally starting using one of our light microscope which magnifies upto seven times, moving to a digital microscope which magnifies upto one hundred times and our scanning electron microscope which will magnify many thousands of time. All our microscopes are fitted with highly advanced cameras which allow us to present the most detailed photographs for use in technical reports. In all cases, our analysis generates data of sufficiently high standard to, presented in a clear and precise manner which courts depend upon to reach a decision in litigation.

Our forensic analysis of samples can be illustrated as follows, the owner of a five storey Georgian building in Dublin paid a professional painting contractor to decorate the front of the building. The process would involve cleaning the masonry surface, priming it, and finally applying the decorative topcoat. The building owner went on holidays and allowed the painting contractor to proceed with the work. Within two months of the completion of the paint job, in certain areas of the building, the paint was seen to peel. The painter advised that the reason for the peeling paint, was due to ‘the amount of water in the concrete’. The building owner did not accept this and asked us to investigate. Our findings were as follows:

1. The moisture content of the masonry was within an acceptable range.
2. The back of the peeling paint film was found to have high levels of carbon deposits.
3. Neither the masonry surface or the back of the peeled paint film had any evidence primer application.

The facts spoke for themselves. Eventually it was admitted by the painting contractor that the painting job was subcontracted to a ‘different party, however irrespective of this, the immediate liability rested securely with the painting contractor.

This is how forensic analysis works in commercial cases. The application of science with the aim of determining where the liability sits.

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