SR Vol 27 No 3, July 2009 - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

Forensic Engineering Services
for Civil Litigation Lawyers
Geotechnology Ltd. is a consulting engineering firm that provides forensic civil engineering, geotechnical, foundation
and environmental engineering services to civil litigation lawyers and insurance personnel.
Forensic Engineering Experience
Geotechnology has 36 years engineering investigative experience in Atlantic Canada, western and northern Canada,
offshore, and overseas in the UK, Australia and the Caribbean.
We have investigated and determined the cause, and assisted in establishing fault, for the six main types of problems and
damage experienced by buildings, civil engineering structures, and property: 1. Structural Collapse and Failure; 2.
Architectural Finish; 3. Functional and Serviceability; 4. Hidden Damage; 5. Monetary Losses, Construction Delays and Cost
Overruns; and, 6. Environmental Contamination.
Engineering and environmental investigations have been completed for most types of civil engineering structures: Buildings;
Bridges; Wharves and Harbour Works; Towers, Storage Tanks; Dams; Pipelines; Drainage Works; Embankments and
Earthworks; Tunnels; Highways; and Motor Vehicle and Industrial Accidents.
Professional Qualifications
Eric Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng., president of Geotechnology Ltd., has a Master’s degree in geotechnical and foundation
engineering from the University of Birmingham, England. He has a first degree in civil engineering from the University of
New Brunswick, and a diploma in land surveying from the College of Geographic Sciences, NS.
Mr. Jorden writes impartial, unbiased reports and opinions based on the facts. His reports are clear, concise and easily
understood by non-technical readers. He has published a number of engineering papers and co-authored a book on soils,
groundwater and foundation investigation. Mr. Jorden has been qualified by the courts as an expert witness. He is credible
and composed when giving expert testimony, and under cross-examination.
Forensic Engineering Services
(Case management follows project management principles to ensure thorough, cost effective forensic engineering
investigations).
1. Preliminary Forensic Engineering Services
• Assess the technical strengths, weaknesses and merits of a claim for damages based on existing data and
information. Outline the scope of a thorough investigation of the problem, if justified by the initial assessment.
2. Main Forensic Engineering Services
• Carry out field work and laboratory testing to investigate the cause of the problem, the damage to a building or
civil engineering structure, or the reason for the contaminated soil and groundwater. Review engineering
drawings, and applicable engineering and environmental regulations, codes and standards of good practice.
• Analyze, interpret and evaluate the data and investigation findings. Develop conclusions and formulate opinion.
• Determine the cause of the damage, or the reason for the contamination.
• Recommend and design repair and remedial work. Evaluate repair and remedial costs.
3. Additional Forensic Engineering Services
• Assist counsel finalize evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the damage claim based on the findings of
the forensic engineering investigation.
• Help develop litigation strategy for discovery and trial; litigation support.
• Develop lines of questioning for testimony and cross-examination, including questions not to ask.
• Attend discovery and trial, assist counsel by listening to opposing witnesses and experts, identify flaws and errors,
and the strengths and weaknesses of opposing testimony, develop additional lines of questioning.
• Testify as an expert witness at discovery and trial
• Review and audit engineering investigations and environmental assessments and reports by others; dispute resolution.
More Information
Contact Eric Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng. at Geotechnology Ltd. for more information: Curriculum vitae;
fees; publications and major reports; list of forensic engineering and major investigations; typical
engineering investigations for design and construction, and environmental assessments for site
remediation; professional activities; technical associations.
Geotechnology Ltd.
Forensic Engineers
Civil, Geotechnical, Foundation and Environmental Engineers
23 Roslyn Dr., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2W 2M2
Tel: (902) 435-4939
Fax: (902) 435-5840
E-mail: ejorden@eastlink.ca
Eric Jorden, M.Sc., P.Eng.
Forensic Engineer
Consulting
Professional Engineer
2 The Society Record