Expert Details
Failure Analysis and Objective Forensic Analysis: Ballistics
ID: 721797
Iowa, USA
Expert is a Fellow of ASM International and teaches a course on failure analysis. His training is in the use of electron microscopy for characterization and has conducted research investigations in a number of areas including the development of high strength alloys, the recovery of rare earths, phase transformations in ferrous systems, and the examination of metal systems using electron microscopy.
Expert is also known for his work in the area of forensics, having conducted investigations on the objective analysis of toolmarks for law enforcement applications. He has conducted funded research to develop objective methods for the identification of toolmarks and has examined the use of microstamping as a technology for firearm and ammunition identification. He currently is involved in an FBI funded research program to test the accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility of firearm examiners.
Has conducted failure analysis on a cast Al outboard motor engine support where a child's life was lost when the accident occurred. The case was settled out of court. In an unrelated case he again examined Al outboard engine components for a possible class action suit against the manufacturer.Examined a failed engine block used for backup power generation by a small Midwestern municipality. The case was settled out of court.Assisted in the investigation of a corrosion failure in a water system that caused considerable damage. He was responsible for the metallurgical examination of the failed material. He was deposed and provided critiques of opposing experts opinions. The case was settled out of court.Examined failed metal tubing used in a gas station delivery system. In addition to delivering his opinion he critiqued experts secured by other counsel. The case was settled out of court.Assisted a company in the analysis of failures in a heat exchange in an ethanol plant. Recommendations to the company lead to changes by the plant design / construction firm to correct the problem before a law suit was filed.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
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Year: 1986 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Metallurgical Engineering | Institution: University of Illinois |
Year: 1981 | Degree: BS | Subject: Metallurgical Engineering | Institution: University of Illinois |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
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Years: 1987 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Professor | Department: Materials Science and Engineerng |
Responsibilities:Professor in metallurgical engineering with an expertise in electron microscopy. He is in charge of the electron microscopy facilities for the department and for a laboratory |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1986 to 1987 | Employer: Argonne National Laboratory | Title: Postgraduate Research Associate | Department: Condensed Matter Physics |
Responsibilities:He was responsible for electron microscopy studies of HiTc superconducting materials and experimental production of possible superconducting films. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2001 to 2001 | Employer: Perkins Engines | Title: Metallurgist | Department: Materials Laboratory |
Responsibilities:Spent a six-month sabbatical working in the materials department doing failure analysis, vendor certification, and manufacturing support. |
Government Experience
Years | Agency | Role | Description |
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Years: 1986 to 1987 | Agency: Argonne National Laboratory | Role: Research Assistant | Description: Was responsible for electron diffraction studies of high Tc superconductors and production of Nb-Ta thin films. |
Years: 1987 to Present | Agency: Ames Laboratory | Role: Scientist | Description: He conducts basic research in the development of metal alloys. He is also in charge of electron microscopy facilities. |
International Experience
Years | Country / Region | Summary |
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Years: 2001 to 2001 | Country / Region: England | Summary: Worked at Perkins Engines, a diesel engine manufacturer owned by Caterpillar, for five months starting in February 2001. |
Career Accomplishments
Associations / Societies |
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He is a member of TMS, ASM International, ASEE and reviews for numerous technical journals |
Awards / Recognition |
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He was named a fellow of ASM International in 2011. |
Publications and Patents Summary |
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He has over 130 publications in refereed journals, as well as over 100 conference proceedings. He has given over 100 presentations at national and international conferences. |
Additional Experience
Expert Witness Experience |
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Expert has been deposed several times and reviewed depositions of court cases. All of his legal cases thus far have been settled out of court. |
Training / Seminars |
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Expert has organized and delivered lectures and short courses to various organizations on basic metallurgy principles, electron microscopy, failure analysis, and fatigue failure. |
Vendor Selection |
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Expert is in charge of ordering electron microscopes his lab. This has included scanning and transmission microscopes and x-ray diffraction equipment. |
Fields of Expertise
heat exchanger failure analysis, gear failure analysis, failure analysis, materials failure analysis, rotating machinery failure analysis, corrosion failure analysis, stainless steel failure analysis, metal failure analysis, threaded fastener failure analysis, steel failure analysis, welding failure analysis, aluminum casting failure analysis, forensic materials failure analysis, forensic ballistics, welding, x-ray examination, ferrous metallurgy, electron microscopy sample preparation, ferrous metal heat treatment, ferrous metal annealing, metal testing, farm equipment, electron energy loss spectroscopy, TEM analysis sample preparation equipment, SEM analysis sample preparation equipment, crystal system, ferrous metal melting, ferrous metal casting, spectroscopy instrumentation, nonferrous metal failure analysis, metal alloy, X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, electron spectroscopy, steel, spectroscopy, iron alloy, gray iron, cast iron