Focused primarily on forensic engineering, this volume explains how scientific investigative methods can best be used to determine why and how a particular failure occurred. Using principles and ideas that are applicable to most of the forensic sciences, the author examines the role of the failure investigator, discusses the optimal way to organize evidence, and explores the four most common reasons why some investigations fail. The book provides three case studies that exemplify proper report writing, contains a special chapter profiling a criminal case by noted forensic specialist Jon J. Nordby, and offers a reading list of resources for further study.