Business Details
46 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Forensic Engineering Solutions Nationwide
Engineering Design & Testing (EDT) stands as a leader in forensic engineering with over four decades of excellence. Founded on principles of integrity and technical expertise, we provide objective analysis of failures, damages, and losses for insurance, legal, and industry clients. Our team of professional engineers, all employee-owners, combines advanced technology with deep industry experience to deliver reliable, evidence-based answers. With engineers licensed in all 50 states, we offer nationwide service supported by local knowledge of regional codes and construction practices.Our commitment to independence ensures clients receive unbiased findings, while our technical capabilitiesfrom digital X-ray analysis to finite element modelingenable precise investigations into complex losses. EDT serves as a trusted partner for claims ranging from routine residential damage to multimillion-dollar industrial incidents, maintaining a focus on transparency, practical solutions, and clear communication.
Services
Forensic Engineering
Fire Origin Analysis
Expert Witness Testimony
Damage Assessment
Catastrophe Response
Structural Evaluation
Metallurgical Testing
Litigation Support
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We are an employee-owned firm committed to independent, unbiased engineering analysis.
- Our engineers are licensed in all 50 states with regional code expertise.
- We utilize advanced tools like finite element analysis and digital X-ray imaging.
- We have over four decades of experience in forensic engineering investigations.
- Our team includes expert witnesses with extensive courtroom testimony experience.
What people say
Unmatched technical expertise
Prompt response times
Clear courtroom explanations
Nationwide coverage
Services
Forensic Engineering
Our forensic engineers investigate structural, mechanical, and electrical failures to determine root causes. Using advanced diagnostic tools and decades of experience, we provide objective analysis for insurance claims, litigation support, and industrial clients. Our findings help clients understand failures in buildings, equipment, and systems to inform repair, replacement, or legal actions.
Fire Origin Analysis
We determine fire origin points and contributing factors through scientific analysis of burn patterns, electrical systems, and combustion sources. Our engineers identify whether fires resulted from equipment failures, human error, or environmental factors, providing critical evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Expert Witness Testimony
EDT engineers serve as expert witnesses in depositions and court proceedings, explaining technical findings in clear, accessible language. With hundreds of courtroom appearances, our professionals provide credible, evidence-based testimony that withstands legal scrutiny while supporting complex cases.
Catastrophe Response
We mobilize rapid-response teams for hurricane, flood, and wildfire damage assessments. Our engineers evaluate structural integrity, document losses, and provide repair recommendations to help insurers and property owners manage large-scale claims efficiently and accurately.
Metallurgical Testing
Our laboratory conducts metallurgical analysis to identify material failures in industrial equipment and structures. Using techniques like electron microscopy and stress testing, we determine whether failures resulted from manufacturing defects, corrosion, or improper installation, supporting root-cause investigations.
People
Thomas D. Traubert
Investigation Lead
With 25+ years in forensic engineering, Thomas specializes in industrial accident investigations. He directed EDT's analysis of the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works explosion, combining field expertise with laboratory testing to determine complex failure mechanisms in heavy industrial settings.
Lucas Brown
Civil/Structural Engineer
PE and CFEI-certified engineer focusing on fire origin analysis. Lucas has investigated over 500 fire cases, identifying unexpected causes like rodent-related electrical failures. His work combines field inspections with code compliance reviews to deliver actionable findings for insurance and legal clients.
Questions
What types of cases does EDT investigate?
We handle residential, commercial, and industrial cases involving fires, explosions, structural failures, equipment malfunctions, and catastrophe damage. Our engineers also provide expert testimony for legal proceedings.
Do you offer 24/7 emergency response?
Yes, our 24-hour rapid response team deploys immediately for time-sensitive investigations, ensuring critical evidence is preserved through immediate site assessments and documentation.
Are your engineers qualified as expert witnesses?
All consultants are licensed professional engineers with extensive courtroom experience, including hundreds of depositions and trials where they explain technical details clearly for legal audiences.
What technology do you use in investigations?
We employ digital X-ray imaging, finite element analysis, 3D modeling, and electroluminescence testing to uncover hidden failures that traditional methods might miss during forensic evaluations.
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