CLE Online

Welcome and Introduction

Dennis D. Chimich, MSC, PEng — Principal, Senior Biomechanical Engineer, MEA Forensic Engineers and Scientists, Richmond
Richard B. Lindsay, QC, PEng — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver

I. Engineering Expert Evidence: The Big Picture

A. Dealing with Junk Science: The Court’s Role as Gatekeeper

 Richard B. Lindsay, QC, PEng — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver

B. Expert Evidence and Getting Expert Evidence Accepted

 Graham J. Underwood — Legal Services Branch, Ministry of Justice, Victoria

C. Effective Cross-Examination of Experts on Scientific Evidence

 Michael Dew — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver

D. Elementary Physics for Lawyers

Geoffrey Thor Desmoulin, PhD, RKin — GTD Engineering Inc., Vancouver

Networking Break

II. Issues in Engineering Evidence

A. Electronic Data: The “Smoking Gun” of Engineering Evidence

• electronic crash data in “black boxes”
• accuracy of GPS speed and location data
• presenting electronic data at trial

Jonathan Lawrence, MASc, PEng — Director, Senior Engineer, Transportation Group, MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, Richmond
David M. Little, PEng — Baker Materials Engineering Ltd., Vancouver

B. Engineering Issues and the Human Element

• human factors in motor vehicle collisions: how driver performance can affect liability
• highway design and usage
• litigating the human factors and engineering interface   

Jason A. Droll, PhD — Human Factors Scientist, Transportation Group, MEA Forensic Engineers & Scientists, San Francisco, CA 
Michael J. Jackson — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver 
John F. Morrall, PhD PEng — Canadian Highways Institute Ltd., Calgary

Networking Lunch

C. Engineering Evidence in Construction Litigation   

Pierre E. Gallant, Architect, AIBC, AAA, FRAIC — Principal, Vice-President, Morrison Hershfield, Burnaby

D. Product Liability

Jonathan P. Gough, PEng — Baker Materials Engineering Ltd., Vancouver

E. Effective Use of Injury Biomechanics        

Dennis D. Chimich, MSC, PEng — Principal, Senior Biomechanical Engineer, MEA Forensic Engineers and Scientists, Richmond

Networking Break

F. Electronic Data Available for Evidence in Fire Investigation

• electronic information in the modern age
• general data from fire and security systems
• hidden data that can assist in defining timelines
• building management systems and industrial process SCADAs

Peter L. Senez, MEng, PEng — Principal & CEO, Sereca Fire Consulting Ltd, Richmond

III. Going to Trial

Engineering Evidence at Trial

• organizing the evidence
• preparing the expert
• introducing the evidence
• use of demonstrative evidence
• challenging issues

The Honourable Mr. Justice John Steeves — Supreme Court of BC, Vancouver
Dennis D. Chimich, MSC, PEng — Principal, Senior Biomechanical Engineer, MEA, Forensic Engineers and Scientists, Richmond
Richard B. Lindsay, QC, PEng — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver
Peter L. Senez, MEng, PEng — Principal & CEO, Sereca Fire Consulting Ltd, Richmond

Concluding Remarks

Dennis D. Chimich, MSC, PEng — Principal, Senior Biomechanical Engineer, MEA Forensic Engineers and Scientists, Richmond
Richard B. Lindsay, QC, PEng — Lindsay LLP, Vancouver