Forensic Experts http://www.forensicdjs.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:34:58 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.forensicdjs.com/images/M_images/rss-logo.jpg http://www.forensicdjs.com Forensic Experts http://www.forensicdjs.com/case-studies/accidental-fall-or-intentional-jump.html Robert J. Nobilini, Ph.D. :::: Case Synopsis: A man alleged that while he was attempting to deposit trash in a dumpster, located in a dark alleyway behind a restaurant, he unexpectedly stepped into and fell to the bottom of an open shaft. The man claimed that a section of metal grating had been removed from the opening. However, there was no reasonable explanation for why the grating would have been removed, and there was also circumstantial evidence that the man was attempting to enter the restaurant through the shaft. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:21:46 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/case-studies/sight-distance-issue-be-sure-data-is-collected-in-three-dimensions.html Steven M. Schorr, PE :::: You are presented with an intersectional collision case and you determine that someone’s sight line was blocked, so you hire an investigator to run out to the scene and take photographs. You hoped that these photographs sufficiently represented the views of the drivers such that your expert could scientifically substantiate sight distance opinions. You relied on these two-dimensional photographs being taken at the proper eye height and at the proper location on the roadway such that they could be placed in evidence at court. However, often times, these photographs do not sufficiently depict everything necessary to “make” your case. What is the easy answer to this all too common problem? Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:19:01 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/case-studies/luxury-homes-leave-factory-assembly-line-over-its-maximum-gross-vehicle-weight-rating.html R. Scott King, BSME :::: Federal regulations require the placement of weight limitation labels on all motor vehicles. Most often, these labels express the weight value in terms of the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Some vehicles particularly motor coaches and recreational vehicles, provide additional limiting values such as Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC), Sleeping Capacity, and Towing Capacity. The subtraction of these additional values from the GVWR provide owners and users an indication of cargo weight they can carry and help ensure that user loading does not exceed the vehicle’s safe load limit. Common sense standards of utility and suitability of use require that a vehicle’s GVWR be greater than it’s unloaded, unfueled, and unoccupied weight. After all, what good is a vehicle that leaves the factory assembly line already at its maximum GVWR? But that’s what happened to the purchasers of over 50 luxury motor homes. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:16:33 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/djs-announcements/family-awarded-$10-million-in-ridgewood-nj-drowning-case.html After a month long emotional trial, a jury awarded $10 million to the family of Soo Hyeon Park. On July 15, 2008, the 13 year old swimmer, drown in the deep water section of the Graydon Pool, a man-made lake operated by the town of Ridgewood, NJ. Although nine lifeguards were on duty, none of them noticed the surface struggle and subsequent submersion of the victim, even as his friend attempted to rescue him. Aquatic Safety Expert Witness, Dr. Tom Griffiths, with DJS Associates, stated that the lifeguards were poorly positioned to detect and recognize the victim. Not only were all nine lifeguards stationed on the perimeter of the lake, too far away from the deep end, but the lifeguard responsible for the area where young Soo Hyeon drown was also responsible for two diving boards which violates the standard of care. Too make matters worse, when 11 year old Steven Kim told lifeguards and management that he just saw his friend drown, the staff began a missing child drill, combing the beach and bath-house rather than the waterfront. Tragically, Soo Hyeon Park was recovered by search and rescue divers hours later in the very spot Steven Kim pointed to when asked when he last saw his friend. The family of Soo Hyeon Park was represented by Neil Weiner, Esquire. For further information, please email experts@forensicDJS.com (mailto:experts@forensicDJS.com) Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:12:50 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/case-studies/rider-error-or-evasive-maneuver.html Curt M. Beloy, P.E. :::: Case Synopsis: A head-on collision occurred between a motorcyclist and a minivan. DJS Associates collected data at the site (including tire marks, scrapes and roadway geometry) and from the vehicles, as well as performed a reconstruction of the collision based on the physical evidence and available data. The physical evidence defined that the motorcyclist had crossed the centerline and was within the oncoming travel lane at the time of the collision. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:02:40 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/case-studies/unguarded-trash-compacter-accident.html Tomas Cocchiola, PE, CSP :::: Case Synopsis: A janitor in a high rise apartment building was injured while cleaning a trash compactor room. He tripped on a hydraulic hose while walking alongside the compactor and fell on his extended arm. The compactor was cycling at the time. The man's arm accidentally entered an unguarded opening and was crushed in a pinch point formed as the compactor ram retracted and moved past the opening. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:00:23 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/djs-announcements/steven-a.-sheridan-joins-djs-associates’-automotive-team.html Steven A. Sheridan is an experienced automotive service technician, new technology instructor and dealership manager. He has extensive experience in the latest automotive technologies including electronic braking and steering systems, state-of-the-art engine control systems, and common failure modes and trends. These, combined with his professional automotive management experience, uniquely qualifies Mr. Sheridan to evaluate claims involving automotive failures and defects, as well as the standard of care in the automotive service industry. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:56:54 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/djs-announcements/stanley-d.-pulz-csp-pe-is-an-authorized-osha-instructor-in-construction.html Stanley D. Pulz, CSP, PE recently completed the Update Course for Construction Industry Outreach trainers. Completion of this US Department of Labor course authorizes Mr. Pulz to continue providing OSHA Outreach training for the Construction Community. Mr. Pulz is a registered Professional Engineer (safety), Certified Safety Professional, and Master’s level Psychologist specializing in technical aspects of applied human factors engineering and safety. For additional information, email experts@forensicDJS.com (mailto:experts@forensicDJS.com). Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:48:22 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/djs-announcements/california-superbike-school-virginia-international-raceway.html Curtis M. Beloy, PE, Accident Reconstruction Engineer and Motorcycle Safety / Handling Expert with DJS Associates, attended the California Superbike School, Virginia International Raceway. Motorcycle dynamics, design and handling were covered through classroom and actual racetrack experience. Handling characteristics and limitations of sport motorcycles was covered in detail. Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:56:11 +0100 http://www.forensicdjs.com/djs-announcements/track-related-passenger-accidents-injuries.html Carl Berkowitz, Ph.D. PE, AICP is a leading expert and educator in transportation and logistics planning, design, engineering, construction, maintenance, operations and management. Background encompasses urban and regional transportation, intermodal transportation, passenger and freight terminal facilities, bus and subway transit. He shares with us a power point presentation on Track Related Passenger Accidents Injuries (images/stories/pdf/djs_presentation_track_accidents_and_injuries.pdf) (.pdf). Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:56:11 +0100