Forensic Electrical Engineer Expert Witness

Credentials

• Professional Engineer
• North Carolina License PE
• South Carolina License PE
• Virginia License PE
• Georgia PE
• Tennessee PE
• West Virginia PE
• Pennsylvania PE
• CFEI – Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator
• CPQ – Certified Power Quality Professional

Education

Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
North Carolina State University, 1993

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Pennsylvania State University, 1980

Professional Summary

Expert has over thirty years of engineering experience. His areas of expertise and services include electrical/electronic engineering investigations, including all aspects of the design, fabrication, production, and operation, patent infringement analysis, reverse engineering, product teardowns and failure analysis of electrical and electronic devices and products as well as computer systems, hardware and software. Other areas of expertise include fire origin and cause (O&C) investigations, lightning investigations, telecommunication/data network engineering, industrial automation and control products/applications and electrical product testing and compliance (UL, CE and FCC) in the design phase, and in post-design product failure analysis, including power and signal line surge analysis. He has also served as an expert witness and forensic engineer on many cases involving a wide variety of electrical and electronic devices and applications. Some projects have focused on fire hazards, and others dealt with shock and operator safety. He has also analyzed designs in reference to user abuse and unintended operation, which is often an overlooked aspect in most product safety reviews.

Expertise and Services

Appraisal Umpire Services
Energy Audits
Failure Analysis & Reverse Engineering
Fire Origin and Cause
Forensic & Investigative Electrical Electronic Engineering
Electronic Hardware Design
Industrial Automation & Controls
Lightning Investigations
Patent Infringement Analysis
Power Line and Signal Surge Analysis
Power Quality
Safety & EMC Compliance
Surety Consulting
Telecommunication and Data Network Engineering

Principal Industries Served

Forensic Electrical, Patent Infringement, Computer, Power Electronics, Electrical/Electronic Design Services, Industrial Automation & Controls, Medical, Mobile Communications, Telecom, Data Communications, Legal & Insurance Industries.

Areas of Concentration

Agency standards – UL, CE, CSA, FCC & IEC Grounding
Contamination of Electronic Assemblies HALT/HASS Testing
Computer engineering & applications High-speed data and telecom networks
Electrical & electronic devices/equipment Industrial automation & controls
Electrical & electronic engineering Lightning/surge protection and analysis
Electrical systems National Electrical Code
Electrical safety Patent Infringement
Electronic failure analysis Power quality
Electronic manufacturing Product safety and liability
EMC design & compliance testing Product testing and safety evaluation
Energy audits Residential and Commercial Wiring
Environmental testing Semiconductors
ESD – Electrostatic Discharge Telecommunications
Fire origin & cause Thermal analysis, evaluation & testing
FMEA – Failure Mode & Effect Analysis Quality and Reliability

FORENSIC INVESTIGATIVE ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE:

Consulting and forensic engineering services for industry, attorneys and insurance companies regarding product liability, fire (O&C) investigations and electrical/electronic failure analysis investigations. Issues addressed, but not limited to, include all aspects of the design, fabrication, production and operation, liability, patent infringement analysis, reverse engineering, product teardowns and failure analysis of electrical and electronic devices and products as well as computer systems, hardware and software.

EFI Global, Charlotte, NC – Forensic Electrical Engineering Consultant
2013 – Present
Additional information regarding cases and job responsibilities is company confidential.

Forcon International, Atlanta, Ga– Forensic Electrical Engineering Consultant
2014 – Present
Additional information regarding cases and job responsibilities is company confidential.

Forensic Consultants of North America, NJ– Forensic Electrical Engineering Consultant
2012 – Present
Additional information regarding cases and job responsibilities is company confidential.

National Forensic Consultants, Norristown PA – Investigative Engineer
Additional information regarding cases and job responsibilities is company confidential.
2007 – Present

Envista Forensics, Morrisville, NC – Forensic Electrical Engineering Consultant
2013 – Present
Additional information regarding cases and job responsibilities is company confidential.

IEC & Associates, Raleigh NC – Founder & Principal Investigative Engineer

2003 – Present
Investigated multiple fire and product liability cases
Investigated a personal injury case involving a seat heater. 2013
Investigated a lemon law motor vehicle case. 2013
Investigated a fire origin and cause case involving a washing machine 2013
Investigated multiple electrical wiring related fire origin and cause cases 2013
Investigated multiple lightning strike incidents 2013
Investigated fire origin and cause case involving a toaster. 2013
Investigated fire origin and cause case involving a battery charger 2013
Investigated fire origin and cause case involving telephone equipment 2012
Investigated fire origin and cause case involving electrical failures in a portable 2012
space heater
Investigated electronic failures in Industrial Automation Equipment. 2012
Investigated electrical failures and safety issues in a heating pad. 2012
Investigated electronic failures in computers. 2012
Investigated electrical & electronic safety issues in a forklift. 2012
Investigated a fluorescent lighting fixture fire. 2012
Investigated a utility surge and loss incident at a local golf course. 2012
Investigating a suspected Laptop Computer overheating incident which resulted 2010 – 2012
in severe burns to the client.
Investigated an electrical shock incident related to an extension cord. 2011
Investigated electronic reliability issues in a computer monitor. 2011
Investigated a lightning strike incident at an asphalt plant and an airport 2011
Investigated a power utility surge event and fire damage to a home. 2011
Investigated a fire origin and cause case at a convenience store. 2010
Investigation of electronic failures and a fire in an electrical power conditioning device 2008
that resided in a medical facility.

Forensic Analysis Corporation, Raleigh NC – Investigative Engineer

Investigated water contamination loss in electronics at a data server center 2013
Investigated suspected electronic failures on a Motorcycle accident case. 2008 – 2010
Investigated a residential fire incident and suspected damage to high end video and audio 2009
home theater electronics. Responsibilities included fire investigation, research, and
evidence review.
Expert witness in a case regarding a malfunctioning medical implantable device. 2009
Responsibilities included investigation, research and evidence review.
Investigation of suspected electronic failures in a residential HVAC system. 2008
Expert witness in lemon law motor vehicle case. Responsibilities included investigation,2008
research, evidence review and deposition
Investigated a heavy equipment excavator fire. Responsibilities included fire investigation, 2007
research and evidence review.
Investigated a Power Utility Surge event involving a multi-million dollar residential 2005 – 2006
structure. Responsibilities included electronic equipment failure analysis, Insurance fraud
investigation. Responsibilities included evidence review and final report preparation/presentation
to the client.
Investigated and provided Lightning/Surge Analysis for multiple clients. Responsibilities 2002 – 2005
included electronic equipment failure analysis, Insurance fraud investigation and final
report to the client.

Intota (Infogroup/ORC) – Investigative Engineer
Investigation of suspected electronic failures in a Microwave fire. Fire origin and 2010
cause case.
Investigation of suspected electronic failures in a residential HVAC system. Fire origin 2010
and cause case.
Expert witness regarding failure analysis in laundry appliance electronics. 2007
Electrical Engineering consultant regarding failure analysis of video electronics. 2007

Marshall Miller Associates, Raleigh NC – Investigative Engineer
Co-investigator on an origin and cause investigation involving a Veterinary CBC machine.2010
Co-investigator on an origin and cause investigation involving an apartment fire. 2005
Responsibilities included evidence review and final report presentation to the client.
Conducted a fire origin and cause investigation involving a television set. Responsibilities 2003
included evidence review, electronic failure analysis, TV and electrical appliance fire
research and final report preparation/presentation to the client.

Tasa Group, Blue Bell PA – Investigative Engineer
Conducted an investigation of suspected electronic failures in a emergency backup 2008 – 2010
electrical power system. Working as an expert witness in the legal case with respect to the
electrical/electronic hardware design and failure analysis.

Consolidated Consultants, Chula Vista, CA – Investigative Engineer 2008
Investigation of a Power Utility Surge event involving a residential structure and suspect
electrical and electronic failures.
Institute for Products, Engineering & Construction, Scottsdale AZ. – Investigative Engineer
Investigation of suspected electronic failures in a mobile phone 2008
Investigation of suspected electronic failures in a laptop computer 2008
Expert witness involving a laptop computer fire. Responsibilities included fire investigation 2007
research and evidence review.
Expert witness involving computer software/systems, financial records and 2004 – 2005
information.
Electrical Engineering consultant for an electronic design dispute between a major 2005
appliance manufacturer and a sub-contract manufacturer. Responsibilities included
evidence review, product design research, and final report preparation/presentation
to the client.
Conducted a origin and cause investigation of a cook top fire involving a solid surface 2005
range appliance. Responsibilities included evidence review, electronic failure analysis,
electrical appliance fire research and final report preparation/presentation to the client.

Technical Assistance Bureau, Inc, St Louis, MO – Investigative Engineer
Electrical Engineering consultant for a fire origin and cause investigation involving 2006
a floor model water cooler. Responsibilities included evidence review and final
report preparation/presentation to the client

Moore Forensic Engineering, Apex, NC – Investigative Engineer
Electrical Engineering consultant for a fire origin and cause investigation involving 2006
a rear projection TV. Responsibilities included evidence review and final
report preparation/presentation to the client.

Forensic Fire Consultants, Raleigh NC – Investigative Engineer
Electrical Engineering consultant for a fire origin and cause investigation involving a 2005
manufactured home. Responsibilities included evidence review and final report
preparation/presentation to the client
Conducted two fire origin and cause investigations involving television sets. 2004
Responsibilities included evidence review, electronic failure analysis, TV and
electrical appliance fire research and final report preparation/presentation.

Kevin Kennedy & Associates INC, Indianapolis IN – Investigative Engineer
Conducted a fire origin and cause investigation involving emergency backup electrical 2003 – 2004
power equipment. Worked as an expert witness in the legal case with respect to the
electrical/electronic hardware design and failure analysis.

Kemper Auto & Home, Charlotte NC – Investigative Engineer
Conducted a power surge investigation on an industrial electrical generator. 2004
Responsibilities included evidence review, electronic failure analysis, and final
report preparation/presentation to the client.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE:

Ametek ESP SurgeX, Knightdale, NC – Compliance Safety/Test Engineering Consultant

4/2013 – Present
Project engineer for safety and agency compliance. Responsible for compliance and safety
testing on all new and existing products, EMC/EMI/RFI requirements and standards, and
design reviews.
Currently preparing our in-house testing lab for self-certification via Intertek’s SATELLITE
Laboratory Scheme Data Acceptance Program.
Also responsible for surge testing and analysis (UL 1449), failure analysis and internal forensic
investigations. Currently working with the following compliance agencies: Intertek located in
Cortland, NY, TUV Rheinland of North America located in Boxborough, MA and Youngsville, NC,
TUV SUD located in Shenzhen City, 518052, P.R. China and Underwriters Laboratory located
in RTP NC.

Bolam Corporation, Fort Mill, SC – Hardware Design Consultant

9/2014 – Present
Hardware Design Engineer for next generation 3G wireless data acquisition products
for automotive, industrial and commercial applications. Responsibilities include Hardware
Design, PCB debug, PCB test procedures and environmental testing.

Overture Networks, Morrisville, NC – Senior Hardware Design Engineer

1/2008 – 10/2012
Project engineer for UL and NEBS compliance. Also responsible for EMC/EMI/RFI
design reviews, safety standards, compliance and testing on all new and existing products.
Design Engineer for next generation Gigabit Ethernet and OC3/DS3 data aggregation products. Responsibilities include high-speed signal integrity analysis, Hardware Design, JTAG test
generation and implementation, PCB debug, PCB test procedures and environmental testing.
Corelis JTAG software tools were used in the projects.
Environmental analysis and test verification of new and existing products
Interim hardware manager for 4 months (2010) while manager was on sick leave. Responsible for 5 engineers and new product introduction.
Manufacturing and Test Engineering liaison for new product introduction.

Senior Hardware Engineer – Safenet Inc, Morrisville, NC

3/2005 – 12/2007
Design Engineer for data encryption hardware projects for Safenet’s next generation OC192,
SONET and Gigabit Ethernet Encryption products. Responsibilities included Hardware Design,
High Speed Signal Integrity Analysis, ROHS Compliance, JTAG test generation and implementation,
PCB debug and PCB Test Procedures.
Agency Compliance and Environmental testing and contract manufacturing liaison.
Mentor Graphics and JTAG Technology JTAG software tools were used in these projects.
Note: Additional information describing the job responsibilities is classified.

Senior Hardware Design Engineer- CipherOptics, Raleigh, NC

12/2002 – 1/2005
Co-Project/Design Engineer for three projects for CipherOptics next generation Internet security
product offering.
Responsibilities include hardware design/debug, printed circuit board signal integrity analysis, and
product verification and test. Cadence Concept 15.2 CAD or OrCad 10.0i was used for the designs.
Additional responsibilities included
JTAG test development and generation of manufacturing test sets using Corelis JTAG
software tools.
Thermal analysis and test verification.

Principal Engineer, Inovia Telecom – Centennial Campus, Raleigh, NC

1998 – 5/2002
Provided technical hardware solutions for Video over VDSL technology for new product line offering.
Design and implemented universal high speed Gigabit ATM switch fabrics for Inovia’s DSLAM product line. Responsibilities included hardware design/debug, printed circuit board design, and product verification.
Motorola MPC8260 and MPC860 microprocessors were used in all hardware designs.
Designed and implemented ATM test and interface boards for hardware verification.
Lead hardware engineering interface for sister design team in Israel.
Product support for current DSL access products in the field.
Responsible for IEC 61000-4/IEC 801 EMC/EMI/RFI standards, compliance, and testing.
Technical advisor/mentor to NC State Electrical Engineering Intern students.

Staff Engineer – IBM Corporation, RTP, NC

1997
Design Engineer for a PCMCIA 25 Mbit ATM adapter card. Responsibilities included hardware
design of a XILINX FPGA PCMCIA/ISA arbitration controller. The design was VHDL based.
Responsible for IEC 61000-4/IEC 801 EMC/EMI/RFI standards, compliance, and testing.

Senior Design/Development Engineer – Connectware Inc., Morrisville, NC

1995 – 1997
Project/Design Engineer for an ATM-LAN (OC3, Ethernet and Token Ring) Bridge/Router device. The product was an Intel I960 33MHz microprocessor-based design. Responsibilities included hardware design/debug, PCB design, and product verification.
Lead hardware engineering interface for a remote design team India.
Responsible for IEC 61000-4/IEC 801 EMC/EMI/RFI standards, compliance, and testing.

Senior Design/Development Engineer- Square D Company, Knightdale, NC

1989 – 1995
Industrial Computer-Programmable Logic Controllers Division, 1992 – 1995
Designed and implemented a XILINX EPLD chip for a Programmable Logic Controller. Design provided backplane bus arbitration between an Intel 80C186 and a Motorola 68000 microprocessor, additional control functions and various I/O interfaces.
Designed an AC/DC (120 VAC/24V DC) 10 Watt switch mode (Buck converter) power supply.
Responsible for hardware design of an Intel 80C152 microprocessor based remote Programmable Logic Controller. Responsibilities included all phases of hardware design, test, and PCB design. This product received Control Engineering magazine’s 1993 Editor’s Choice Award for best distributed I/O product.
Responsible for IEC 1000-4/IEC 801 EMC/EMI/RFI standards, compliance, and testing on newly developed Industrial Programmable Logic Controller Products.
Team member of the Square D EMC/EMI/RFI Standards Committee.
Team member of the Square D Component/Supplier Qualification Committee.

Photoelectric Sensors Division, 1989 – 1991
Project/Design Engineer for analog/digital ASIC design and implementation for Industrial photoelectric proximity sensors. Designed and developed three high performance photoelectric ASICs. Responsibilities included all phases of design, test and final product manufacturing.
Team member of the Square D Corporate ASIC Strategic Implementation Group.

Senior Microelectronic Design Engineer – Avnet International Corporation, Smithfield, NC 1988 – 1989
Project/Design Engineer for digital system design for commercial satellite television receivers.
Responsibilities included ASIC chip set re-design and verification.

Senior Product/Quality Engineer – Exide Electronics Corporation, Raleigh, NC 1987 – 1988
Provided Product/Quality Engineering for Uninterruptable Power Source Systems (UPS),
Emergency Lighting Systems and Motive Power Battery Charger Products.
Responsibilities included system design modifications, PCB redesign and resolution of field failures and reliability issues.

Senior Integrated Circuit Design Engineer- GE Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC 1980 – 1986
Team member of the Microprocessor and ASIC Design and Development Group. Designed various Integrated circuits including an Arithmetic Logic Unit, Dual Port RAM ASIC, Medical Data Processing ASIC and a Control ASIC for a 120 Volt experimental light bulb. Responsibilities included all phases of Integrated Circuit design and fabrication.
Provided technical support and design assistance for strategic customer accounts (domestic and foreign) and internal tactical application engineers.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PATENT INFRINGEMENT ANALYSIS:

Aphileon, Raleigh NC – Co-Founder/Owner 2013 – Present
Currently working with several major IP licensing and litigation law firms. Responsibilities
included technical evaluation and claim chart generation, product teardowns, prior art and
documentation research, product testing, final report and presentation to the client.

IEC & Associates, Raleigh NC – Principal Investigative Engineer 2010 – Present
Currently working with an IP portfolio attorney on mobile phone and tablet computer patent
portfolios. Responsibilities include technical evaluation and claim chart generation, product
teardowns, prior art and documentation research, product testing and final report.
Patent and prior art search regarding microprocessor control and application in industrial 2011 -2012
motorized vehicles.
Otto Technologies, Raleigh NC – Investigative Engineer
Patent infringement and review regarding multiple cases involving distributed 2010
computing systems for mobile devices.

Forensic Analysis Corporation, Raleigh NC – Investigative Engineer 2009
Patent infringement and review regarding an electronic pest and rodent pest control
repeller. Responsibilities included claim review, prior art investigation, final report and
presentation to the client.

Professional Organizations:

Association of Energy Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
North Carolina Adjusters Association
Product Safety Engineering Society (IEEE PSES)

Continuing Education:

Asbestos Operations & Maintenance (16 Hour) for Class III Classification course, 2018
NC/SC IAAI Training Conference – Five day course – Myrtle Beach, SC 2017
Power Quality Professional (CPQ) Certification – September 2013
National Electric Code Training – 2013 (Three day course), Keith Educational Seminars, Wilmington NC
NAFI CFEI (Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator) – 2013
Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering – 2012 (Three day course), Henry Ott Consultants
NEBS Conference -2010, Verizon and UL (Compliance for Wireless and Broadband Networks)
North Carolina State University – Post Master’s Degree
ASIC Design (ECE520), 2008
National Electrical Code Seminar, Oct. 2002
High Speed Networks (ECE570), 1997
Computer Communications (ECE571), 1996
Electromagnetic Fields and Systems (ECE540 ), 1995
Fire Detection and Investigation – 2005, Durham Tech, Course # FIP 128, Durham NC.
Product Liability: Understanding the design Process – 2004, The Warren Group
Residential Home Inspector – April 2004 Wake Tech Community College, NC
National Electrical Code Seminar- October 2002, North Carolina State University
C Programming for Engineers -1994, University of Massachusetts
Electromagnetic Interference and Compliance Seminar – 1993, Interference Control Technology Inc.
Industrial Computers and Programmable Logic Controllers -1993, Square D Company
Quality Engineering Theory, Practices and Principles – 1988, Stat-A-Matrix Institute