Below are some of the questions often asked by customers.  Feel free to submit your own questions

Q.  What is a forensic engineer? 

A.   A forensic engineer is a technician that has a formal education in one of the engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.) who, with specialized training and education in a specific field of study performs analyses appropriate for presentation in court. 

Q.  What are some qualifications I should look for when hiring a forensic engineer?

A.   A person performing forensic engineering services must at a minimum have a degree in one or more of the engineering disciplines.  It is highly recommended that the persons engineering degree be consistent  with the forensic engineering services being performed, as the mere fact that an engineer has a degree does not mean that they are qualified in the field in which they may be required to testify.  The candidate should have excellent verbal and writing skills as these are critical to both to the client and when testifying in court

Q.  What makes someone an "expert?"

A.   An expert in the eyes of the Court is a person who has specialized skills, education, experience and knowledge in a specific subject area.  Different states have different criteria when determining whether a person claiming to be an expert has the credentials to offer opinion testimony to the judge or jury.  However, in general, the Federal Rules of Evidence 702 states, "if scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact (judge or jury) to understanding the evidence or to determine a fact in issue a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training or education may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise if (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is a product of reliable principles and methods and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case".

Q.  What is a Black Box?

A.   A "black box" is a term originally coined by the aviation industry to define the flight data recorder located in an aircraft which is utilized to collect in-flight data including systems feedback and voice recording.  However, in an automobile the term "black box" is used to describe the Event Data Recorder portion of the airbag control module. 

Q.  How can the data in a Black Box of an automobile be retrieved?  Can it be done by a dealer?

A.   No, most dealers do not have the ability to retrieve or interpret data collected by an Event Data Recorder.  Most dealers only have the ability to collect data from modules necessary to perform service and repair.  Generally, a manufacturer whose vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder has the computer software and interface modules to access the vehicle systems and collect and translate the data.  Presently, only data from  General Motors, select Ford  and select Chrysler vehicles can be retrieved utilizing a publicly available data collection system called the Crash Data Retrieval system manufactured by Bosch Corporation

Q.  Who is qualified to collect and interpret collision related data from an Event Data Recorder?

A.   Although the collection process only requires a familiarity with the software system, communication devices in the car or cautionary procedures in directly accessing the modules themselves, the interpretations should only be performed by those trained and certified in data collection and analysis.  Without the proper understanding of the systems that collect and the processes by which the data is interpreted, the information retrieved is open to misinterpretation by the user.  Carl J. Lange, PE and Jeffrey Lange, PE are certified data analysts.

Q.  What is "Method of Theft Determination"?

A.   Method of Theft determination is the process used by Lange Technical Services to establish the methods by which a stolen and recovered vehicle may have been entered and operated by the alleged thieves.  The process involves the examination and analysis of the physical evidence associated with the stolen and recovered vehicles and testing and assessment of the mechanical and electronic theft deterrent and security systems. 

Q.  What is a transponder immobilizer?

A.   A transponder immobilizer is an anti-theft system that uses radio frequency communication between the ignition key and the vehicle.  A transponder equipped vehicle will have a key that contains within it an electronic device that is powered by an electromagnetic pulse generated by a coil surrounding the ignition lock cylinder.  The emission of an electromagnetic pulse from this coil, known as an antenna/inductor ring, will be received by the electronic circuit in the key and converted to electricity which powers the circuitry within the key.  The powered circuitry now emits a radio frequency signal that includes specific data that is used by the vehicle to establish the relationship of that key to the vehicle. 

Q.  Can a transponder equipped vehicle be stolen?

A.   Yes.  Almost any vehicle can be stolen given the proper conditions.  However, theft by manipulation or alteration of the transponder immobilizer equipped vehicle is extremely complicated and in some cases impossible due to the integration of the transponder related components into the vehicle subsystems. The fact that a vehicle is equipped with a transponder immobilizer does not mean that it cannot be stolen nor does it mean that the system has not been altered by the installation of aftermarket devices such as a remote start system, which have interrupted or in other ways circumvented the transponder immobilizer system.  The good news is that the procedures utilized during our method of theft determination can in many cases establish the operational condition of the transponder immobilizer system and the presence of system alteration, intentional or accidental.

Q:  What is "Daubert" and why is it critical when choosing an expert?

A:   "Daubert" or more appropriately Daubert v. Merrill Dow Chemical is the name of a Supreme Court Decision rendered in 1997 which established the difference between expertise and methodology for scientific testimony.  Although you can read more information in the Daubert link on our website, this decision required experts to substantiate the basis for their opinions and prevents them from offering opinions just because they are "experts".  Very simply, the validity of scientific conclusions has now become not only about the qualifications of the person rendering the opinions, but the methods used to reach those conclusions. 

Q:   What is NFPA 921?

A:     NPFA 921, "Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations", is a document published by the National Fire Protection Association that attempts to standardize the science of fire investigation.  This guide is a valuable tool to both fire investigators and those involved in analyzing the results of the investigation.  By drawing on the experiences of various individuals and groups involved in fire investigation, the manual was created as a combination of reference and methodology recommendations intended to address "Daubert" issues and complement the art normally associated with fire investigation with sound scientific foundation.  A companion document to NFPA 921 is NFPA 1033 which discusses the recommended qualifications of fire experts.

Q:    What is a CV?

A:     A CV is an acronym for the term Curriculum Vitae; its literal Latin translation is: "Course of Life".  It is a record of an experts credentials.  Unlike a resume, the Curriculum Vitae is a documentation of an experts education, training and experience.  This is necessary to properly evaluate an experts qualifications, track his or her professional development, determine their actual participation in their field of expertise by professional affiliations and ongoing training, and support their opinion by fulfilling the requirements of the Federal Rules of Evidence 702. 

Q:  What is the difference between a Forensic Locksmith and a "regular" Locksmith?

A:   A Forensic Locksmith is a technican with specialized training in lock bypass methods, tool marks and wear pattern analysis. Although an understanding of traditional locksmith technologies is important, the Forensic Locksmith's primary interest is in the identifiying of evidence (or lack thereof) of lock bypass or manipulation using protocols appropriate for use in legal testimony.