A “Toolbox” for Forensic Engineers

Nashville). He has produced more than 300 technical reports and several
books dealing mainly with failure of polymeric and composite products.
Ken Reynolds, M.Sc., the son of a village blacksmith, has had a lifelong
interest in the working and heat treatment of metals. He left school at 16
and took a job in the quality control laboratory of a nonferrous foundry and
tube works where he soon became the works troubleshooter and dealt with
customer complaints. Later he was transferred to the research department of
the same industrial group where he worked for 5 years on the development
of titanium alloys for aerospace. During this time he studied for external
degrees from London University and gained an honours degree in engineering
metallurgy and later a master’s degree with a thesis on the hot workability
of titanium tin aluminium alloys.
Mr. Reynolds entered the academic world as a lecturer in physical and
industrial metallurgy at Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, later
to become The University of Aston, which pioneered 4-year “thin” sandwich
degree courses with integrated industrial training. During this time he was
called upon to give evidence at several coroner’s inquests as to the cause of
failure of machinery and components involved in fatal industrial and road
traffic accidents. The forensic science service at that time was staffed mainly
by scientists, so Mr. Reynolds organized a series of short professional development
courses in failure investigation at Aston specifically oriented toward
forensic engineering. These courses were well supported by industry as well
as independent engineers working for insurance companies.
As a UNESCO consultant in 1970–1971 Mr. Reynolds helped establish
the National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology in India and immediately
afterward undertook a project in Iraq advising on the setting up of
colleges for engineering technicians. Upon his return to the U.K. The Open
University had just been established. Mr. Reynolds was appointed a senior
lecturer in the technology faculty and contributed to all their courses in
materials over the next 25 years.
Mr. Reynolds retired from the academic world in 1996 but continues to
practice as a forensic metallurgist. To date, he has dealt with over 1300 cases.
While at The Open University, he met Peter Rhys Lewis. They have collaborated
on several legal cases and compiled a master’s course in forensic engineering,
which led to Forensic Materials Engineering: Case Studies.
Colin R. Gagg, M.Sc., holds an honours degree in engineering technology
and a master’s degree in management and technology of manufacturing. He
is a chartered engineer and professional member of the Institute of Mechanical
Engineering. His practical experience includes 2 years at the Structures
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