Learning the proper steps for organizing a failure investigation ensures success. Failure investigations cross company functional boundaries and are an integral component of any design or manufacturing business operation. Well-organized and professionally conducted investigations are essential for solving manufacturing problems and assisting in redesigns. This book outlines a proven systematic approach to failure investigation. It explains the relationship between various failure sources (corrosion, for example) and the organization and conduct of the investigation. It provides a learning platform for engineers from all disciplines: materials, design, manufacturing, quality, and management. The examples in this book focus on the definition of and requirements for a professionally performed failure analysis of a physical object or structure. However, many of the concepts have much greater utility than for investigating the failure of physical objects. For example, the book provides guidance in areas such as learning how to define objectives, negotiating the scope of investigation, examining the physical evidence, and applying general problem-solving techniques.

Includes its Reports, which are also issued separately.

The Guidelines for Failure Investigation by the Task Committee on Guidelines for Failure Investigations of the Technical Council on Forensic Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers provides an overview to the functions and responsibilities of the successful failure investigation. The Guidelines covers all aspects of the investigative process from the planning stage, the development of a failure hypothesis, and the preparation of a concise report, to the engineer's role as an expert witness. To help explain this process, two investigations in specific engineering disciplines, geotechical and structural, are developed in detail. With this complete coverage, the Guidelines not only provides an introduction to the investigative process for the initiate forensic engineer, but also supplies the veteran investigator with references and guidance.

This book addresses the basic theory of criminal procedure in China, together with recent reforms. Balancing the powers of public security and judicial organs with the rights of individual citizens, it assesses the nature of Chinese criminal proceedings. In the basic theoretical research section, the author, drawing on the latest findings from the legal community, systematically and comprehensively presents the current trends, main research topics and the main problems that should be explored in future research into criminal procedure law in China; further, the author explains the basic thinking behind the revision of criminal procedure law, and the allocation of judicial resources in criminal procedure and criminal justice. The policy, basic theory and operation problems of judicial power, procuratorial power, police power, defense power and judicial reform are subsequently explained and evaluated. The general writing style used is intentionally straightforward, making the book easily accessible for the readers. Based on the author’s substantial working experience in the area of criminal law, it offers a highly intuitive reading experience.