• Forensic Engineering

    Providing honesty, integrity and fact-based opinion for a variety of industry clients

    Who we areWhat we do

  • Accident Reconstruction

    Using forensic science and technology to accurately determine causation and severity of an accident

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  • Construction Defects

    Keeping the facts straight and builders honest when it matters most

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Over 30 Years of Expert, Science-Based Consulting and Investigations to Uncover the Facts

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Bob Ketchum - Founder of REK Engineering

Forensic Engineering Experts

REK Engineering was founded by Bob Ketchum after more than thirty years of engineering expertise involving design, construction, and accident investigations. Through this experience, REK Engineering provides a solid foundation for conducting property assessments, accident evaluations, forensic examinations and expert witness testimonies in matters determining the root cause of deficiencies, failures and accidents.

Mr. Ketchum’s qualifications and experience have led him to serve on projects involving large complex systems and environments ranging from Aerospace, Automotive, Healthcare, Industrial, Manufacturing, Transportation, Educational, Entertainment and Residential systems.  He has testified in matters of premise liability, accident reconstruction, product defects, construction deficiencies, and design errors and omissions. We have represented some of the nation’s largest Fortune 500, companies while providing professional services and support to local and international missions. In addition, we are qualified to testify in both state and federal courts.

Engineering Knowledge for Clearer Outcomes

Photogrammetry & Photomodeling - REK Engineering

Photogrammetry/Photomodeling

We use photographic imaging analysis to develop highly accurate computer-aided drawings (CAD) for precision dimensioning and analysis, which allows us to visualize objects and locations.

Black Box Analysis - REK Engineering

Black Box Data Analysis

We specialize in the retrieval and analysis of vehicle modules to determine the conditions before impact, during collisions, and other after-impact dynamics to evaluate the root cause of an accident.

Thermodynamic Analysis - REK Engineering

Thermodynamics Analysis

Analysis using temperature, pressure, relative humidity, dew point, imaging, profiling, and logging to solve or improve system performance interests of facilities, systems and components.

Aerial Reconnaissance

Using state-of-the-art drones to evaluate a subject location, we can perform aerial imaging, dimensioning, photo-modeling of large scale accident scenes, buildings, and property assessments.

Infrared Analysis - REK Engineering

Infrared Analysis

Examination of surface temperature contours to accurately analyze thermal heat transfer patterns, material and construction deficiencies, energy inefficiency, heat loss, moisture intrusion and condensation problems.

Light Level Assessment - REK Engineering

Lighting Level Assessment

We investigate the lighting performance of interior and exterior properties, including the mapping of lighting level contours for surfaces, path of egress, walking surfaces, and other objects being illuminated.

Visibility/Conspicuity Studies

Visual identification of contrasting images and line of sight of pedestrians and vehicle operators is an important consideration to understanding what is perceivable to a person through a sequence of motions and events.

Moisture Intrusion - REK Engineering

Moisture Intrusion

Using the latest infrared technology, surface scan, and probe meters, we can analyze the variable moisture content of materials to provide empirical evidence of origins and extent of the damages.

Lamp Filament Analysis - REK Engineering

Lamp Filament Analysis

We examine filaments recovered from accidents to provide evidence of lights being on during and accident, including proof of head lights use at night, brakes applied in a collision, and other functionality of lights during an event.

Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Investigations

Maintenance of Traffic

MOT involves the redirection of traffic thru a work zone, including the use of signage, barriers, cones, flagman are important considerations that must comply with FDOT requirements.

Slip, Trip & Fall Investigations - REK Engineering

Slip, Trip & Fall Investigation

Pedestrian paths may involve slippery surfaces, surface contours, lighting and conspicuity features that can contribute to injuries and we perform evaluations involving building code compliance, design and construction reviews.

Additional Support - REK Engineering

Additional Support

REK Engineering allows you to defer to experts the analysis and reporting of event or location data to help you uncover the facts behind any accident or disaster, ensuring an objective perspective in the investigative process.

REK Engineering Core Competencies

Forensic Engineering - REK Engineering

Forensic Engineering

Involves the application of scientific inquiry, investigation, an analysis to provide credible explanations and answers to the cause(s) of accidents, failures, damages, and injuries for the purpose of improving performance, preventing future damages, and/or assisting the court in determining the facts of a litigated matter.

Accident Reconstruction - REK Engineering

Accident Reconstruction

Is the process of investigating, analyzing, and determining conclusions about the cause and events that occurred in an accident.  Often the accident involves the motions, speeds, forces, and timing sequences of involved vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or other objects that cause of contribute to a collision, damage, or injury.  The reconstruction may involve the determination of answers to any number of specific questions, or continue to a complete reconstruction of the event using simulations, animations, or reenactments with expert witness testimony.

Construction Defects - REK Engineering

Construction Defects

Generally refers to a deficiency in the design, construction, material components, installation, operation and/or maintenance of a building or structure.  Investigations often involves review of contract documents, building codes and standards, field inspections, material examinations for determination of responsible parties (i.e. design professions, contractors, suppliers) for resulting failures and damages.

Product Defects - REK Engineering

Product Defects

When a product fails to perform as it was intended to, or is designed/manufactured with unsafe characteristics, material deficiencies, lack of operating instructions or inadequate warning communications that result in damage or injury.

Equipment Failures - REK Engineering

Equipment Failures

Equipment failures often result from defective design, deficient maintenance, and/or inproper operation that can lead to damages and injuries.  Electro/mechanical component failures can involve high levels of energy resulting in fires and floods with extensive property damages.

Premise Liability - REK Engineering

Premise Liability

When an injury occurs on property it is essential to evaluate the cause of the injury and identify contributing characteristics of the property design, construction, and maintenance with respect to codes and standards.  Applications of forensic reconstruction of motion, forces, lighting, weather conditions can be subjects of interest.

Case Studies

Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle was cruising through a quiet country road when a tractor-trailer appeared backing out from a driveway. The motorcyclist applied heavy braking resulting in the motorcycling laying down on its side and separating from the rider. Both…
Forensic Engineering - REK Engineering

Construction Defect

Following a sudden summer down pour in sunny Florida, a commercial facility’s roof collapsed causing significant property damage to very expensive electronic equipment.  Near the center section of roof collapse appeared the remains of a roof…
Equipment Defects Detection

Construction Worker Injury

A mechanical contractor was severely injured when working on renovating a commercial hot water heating system.  After shutting down the steam heat exchanger and draining the hot water from the system, the contractor was beginning to install…
Accident Reconstruction - REK Engineering

Vehicle Accident Reconstruction

A passenger vehicle driver was waiting for traffic to clear to make a left turn at a traffic light. As the light turned yellow, a vehicle approaching to far from the intersection to make the light appeared to begin braking. As the turning vehicle…