Forensic Engineer Resume Guide

Forensic engineers investigate the cause of structural failures, analyze evidence from accidents, and evaluate product performance. They use their expertise in engineering principles to develop an opinion on how a failure or accident occurred.

You have the skills and experience to be a great asset in any forensic engineering laboratory. To make yourself known to hiring managers, you must write an impressive resume that shows off your qualifications.

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.

The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Forensic Engineer Resume Sample

Luella Morar
Forensic Engineer

[email protected]
010-332-1430
linkedin.com/in/luella-morar

Summary

Seasoned forensic engineer with 10+ years of experience in investigations, analysis, and reporting. Expertise includes motor vehicle accident reconstruction, fire investigation & analysis, and failure mode determinations. Proven success in uncovering the root cause of accidents through data collection and forensic methods to provide accurate findings for various clients. Skilled at presenting complex technical information to non-technical audiences in a clear manner.

Experience

Forensic Engineer, Employer A
Escondido, Jan 2018 – Present

Expedited the analysis of over 100 evidence items for criminal investigations, ensuring that cases were brought to a successful resolution within an average time frame of 10 weeks.
Resourcefully reconstructed accident scenes and identified potential causes based on the physical evidence presented; successfully detected key clues in 80% of all assignments.
Facilitated critical product liability assessments by inspecting defective products, evaluating incident reports & interviewing witnesses; reduced legal costs associated with claims settlements by $50,000 annually.
Introduced new forensic engineering techniques such as 3D scanning technology and automated data collection tools when analyzing crash-site debris which increased accuracy levels by 40%.
Presented complex findings in courtrooms through expert witness testimony which enabled prosecutors to secure convictions in 90% of all assigned cases involving negligence or misconduct charges against defendants.

Forensic Engineer, Employer B
Laredo, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Streamlined complex evidence collection processes, resulting in a 12% reduction of analysis time and $3,000 savings from expenses.
Reconstructed accident sites to determine the cause of injury or death by analyzing physical evidence such as skid marks and broken glass fragments; successfully identified faulty vehicle components for 3 high-profile cases.
Participated in over 40 crime scene investigations involving fire debris examination, bullet trajectory assessments and bloodstain pattern analysis to reconstruct events leading up to an incident with 94% accuracy rate.
Formulated detailed reports outlining findings on each case examined with supporting diagrams, photographs and other visual aids; presented findings in court proceedings twice a month while meeting tight deadlines consistently.
Meticulously documented all laboratory tests performed during investigations using forensic software tools such as Autopsy & EnCase Forensic Suite while maintaining strict confidentiality standards at all times.

Skills

Data Recovery
Evidence Collection
Digital Forensics
Network Forensics
Cyber Security
Computer Programming
Database Management
Data Analysis
Investigative Techniques

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Forensic Engineer
American Board of Forensic Engineering and Technology
May 2017

Related Resume Examples

All Examples

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary or objective for a forensic engineer should highlight your technical expertise and investigative skills. In this section, you can mention the types of investigations you have conducted in the past, any certifications or qualifications that make you stand out from other candidates, and how your work has helped to solve complex cases. You could also talk about the innovative techniques you use when conducting an investigation.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Well-rounded forensic engineer with 8+ years of experience investigating and analyzing mechanical failures, finding root causes for accidents, and identifying safety issues. Accomplishments include helping reduce the cost of product liability claims by 15% at XYZ Company. Seeking to join ABC Engineering as a Forensic Engineer in order to leverage expertise in accident investigation and analyze complex engineering problems.

Driven Forensic Engineer with 8+ years of experience in investigating and analyzing data to determine the cause of accidents or other problems. Skilled at collecting evidence, writing reports, testifying as an expert witness, and consulting on safety-related issues. At XYZ Corporation identified a manufacturing process defect that resulted in the prevention of over $1 million dollars worth of damage.

Enthusiastic forensic engineer with 4+ years of experience investigating accidents, analyzing physical evidence and providing technical support to legal proceedings. Skilled in interviewing witnesses and preparing comprehensive reports that have been accepted as expert testimony in court. At ABC Company, identified an overlooked factor which helped overturn a $2 million lawsuit against the company.

Talented forensic engineer with 10+ years of experience investigating, reconstructing, and analyzing complex incidents involving industrial accidents. Looking to join ABC Inc., where I can use my expertise in data analysis and problem-solving skills to help the company reach its goals. In previous roles, successfully identified root causes for 25 different cases that resulted in over $750K savings.

Determined forensic engineer with 8+ years of experience in forensic engineering, accident investigation and litigation support. Proven track record of providing accurate analysis for high-profile cases. Skilled at preparing reports, testifying as an expert witness and developing custom solutions to complex problems. Aiming to use my knowledge and expertise to help ABC firm succeed in its mission.

Amicable and detail-oriented forensic engineer with 5+ years of experience conducting detailed investigations, analyzing data, and providing expert testimony. Seeking to join ABC Engineering as a Forensic Engineer to use my expertise in structural engineering and accident reconstruction techniques. In previous roles, identified design flaws that led to a $1 million settlement for the plaintiff.

Reliable forensic engineer with 8+ years of experience investigating and analyzing mechanical, electrical and electronic systems in order to determine failure causes. Skilled at using advanced analytical techniques such as FEA/CFD modeling, vibration analysis, stress testing, root cause analysis and more. Looking to join ABC Tech to use my expertise for the benefit of their clients.

Diligent forensic engineer with 5+ years of experience in accident and investigation analysis. Proven track record of delivering timely, accurate results from evidence collected from the scene to help police departments determine the cause of accidents. Seeking to join ABC Investigations as a forensic engineer and use my expertise for high-profile cases.

2. Experience / Employment

In the experience section, you should list your past employment in reverse chronological order. This means that the most recent job is listed first.

When writing about what you did in each role, stick to bullet points for clarity and brevity. You want to provide detail when describing what you did and the results achieved from it; this will help paint a clearer picture of your capabilities as an engineer.

For example, instead of saying “Investigated accidents,” you could say “Conducted detailed investigations into construction site incidents using engineering principles such as force analysis and failure modes.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Investigated
Analyzed
Assessed
Examined
Evaluated
Documented
Reconstructed
Testified
Inspected
Collected
Preserved
Interpreted
Reported

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Prepared
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Compiled and analyzed data from various sources to determine the cause of mechanical, electrical and structural failures in construction projects; identified potential risk factors for future cases with an accuracy rate of 95%.
Collected physical evidence from accident sites such as soil samples, broken parts or laboratory tests; maintained detailed documentation on all findings throughout investigation processes.
Consistently completed forensic engineering assignments under tight deadlines while adhering to industry safety protocols; successfully managed 12 investigations within a six-month period without any incidents reported.
Reported key findings to clients via comprehensive written reports that incorporated photos, diagrams and other technical illustrations where necessary; facilitated clear communication between parties involved in the case resolution process by providing concise summaries of events & circumstances surrounding each incident investigated.
Spearheaded numerous educational initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness about modern forensic engineering techniques and practices among local community members; trained over 50 individuals on effective identification/collection procedures related to crime scene analysis over a three month period.

Reliably inspected and examined evidence from over 200 crime scenes to identify the cause of fires, explosions, vehicle accidents and other incidents; identified key information that led to successful criminal prosecutions in 80% of cases.
Structured detailed reports on findings for court proceedings by conducting laboratory tests on samples from accident sites and analyzing data using specialized software; reduced report preparation time by 40%.
Utilized a comprehensive understanding of physics principles when investigating accidents related to electrical wiring faults or structural failures; increased accuracy rate of case conclusions by 35%.
Prepared 3D renderings with digital modeling tools to simulate crash scenarios based upon collected physical evidence as part of investigations into traffic fatalities; successfully helped prosecute offenders in 25+ cases involving vehicular homicide/manslaughter charges.
Improved quality control protocols at test laboratories through rigorous analysis & testing while validating results against specifications established according to industry standards & regulations; saved $8K over 6 months in associated costs due to improved efficiency rates.

Coordinated with law enforcement agencies on the analysis of evidence from over 100 criminal cases, leading to successful conviction in more than 50% of cases.
Reduced employee turnover by 20% through effective training and mentorship programs for new forensic engineers at the lab.
Competently performed complex laboratory experiments to accurately determine cause and origin of fires; used findings as expert witness testimony in court proceedings with a success rate of 94%.
Investigated multiple accident sites across 10 different states, compiling detailed reports that were used to identify structural defects or negligence responsible for causing injury or death; secured $5 million+ in settlements for affected parties along the way.
Advised governmental bodies and private corporations on best practices related to fire safety protocols & standards while proactively identifying potential risks; implemented policies resulting in zero fire-related fatalities within their premises over 4 years running.

Analyzed complex forensic evidence from various crime scenes and reviewed existing data to determine the cause of accidents, ultimately resulting in a 15% decrease in case resolution time.
Revised safety protocols for hazardous materials handling and storage, ensuring compliance with state regulations; saved $500 per month on operational costs without compromising quality assurance standards.
Preserved physical evidence such as fingerprints, tire tracks or vehicle components using specialized equipment and advanced techniques for further laboratory analysis; identified over 250 pieces of crucial evidence used in court proceedings during past cases.
Reorganized digital databases containing information about criminal records, accident reports & witness statements to make them more accessible by judicial personnel; reduced search times by 25%.
Efficiently created detailed damage assessments utilizing sophisticated software tools while collaborating closely with law enforcement officials throughout the investigation process; secured convictions at 70+ trials since joining the team 4 years ago.

Successfully inspected and analyzed over 800 pieces of evidence, including physical structures, documents and digital data to assist in criminal investigations; identified key inconsistencies that led to the conviction of 3 defendants.
Mentored junior forensic engineers on complex techniques such as collecting evidence from fire scenes, conducting interviews with witnesses & suspects, interpreting case law and compiling reports for litigation purposes.
Testified in court proceedings as an expert witness regarding laboratory results for 4 cases; increased accuracy throughout the legal process by providing detailed insight into technical findings based on scientific analysis.
Documented all investigative work thoroughly and submitted comprehensive final reports containing conclusive information within 24 hours after completing each assignment; saved 200+ investigation hours per year through accurate file management practices.
Inspected up-to-date technologies such as optical microscopes & spectrometers used to obtain samples at crime scenes while ensuring proper safety protocols were followed during every stage of the process; reduced contamination risks by 70%.

Demonstrated expertise in analyzing and reconstructing crime scenes, resulting in an accurate resolution rate of 85%.
Achieved a 30% reduction in evidence processing time by implementing advanced forensic engineering techniques.
Effectively assessed structural integrity of physical evidence to determine cause and origin of motor vehicle accidents; identified the contributing factors for over 35 cases per year on average.
Evaluated safety hazards at construction sites using specialized tools such as infrared cameras and pressure sensors; enabled prevention of potential disasters with a 100% accuracy rate while saving $50K annually due to fewer costly investigations required.
Optimized data collection methods through automation technology, reducing manual labor time by 75%, while ensuring compliance with legal regulations relating to digital forensics research activities.

Accurately assessed the cause and origin of over 250 construction defects involving fire, electrical, plumbing or structural systems to determine liability in civil litigation cases.
Examined physical evidence from crime scenes with meticulous attention to detail; uncovered crucial facts that led to successful prosecutions in 120+ criminal investigations.
Developed 3D models and simulations of accident sites which were used as demonstrative evidence for jury trials resulting in a 90% win rate across all clients represented.
Represented insurers on numerous occasions during mediations and arbitrations where damages awarded totaled $1 million+.
Authored detailed reports based on investigative findings which helped resolve complex legal disputes within an average of 6 weeks per case – 40% faster than industry standards at the time.

3. Skills

The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization may need someone with experience in investigating cyber-attacks, while another may be looking for a candidate who is familiar with forensic engineering principles.

It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume according to each job you apply for because many companies use applicant tracking systems these days; they are computer programs that scan resumes and look out for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.

You should also discuss your most relevant qualifications in other areas of the resume, such as the summary or work history sections.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Computer Programming
Cyber Security
Data Analysis
Data Recovery
Database Management
Digital Forensics
Evidence Collection
Investigative Techniques
Network Forensics
Report Writing

4. Education

Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, it is important to include an education section below the resume objective. However, if you have significant work experience as a forensic engineer that should be highlighted first, omitting the education section may be best.

If an education section is included, try to mention courses related to forensics or engineering that demonstrate knowledge of this field relevant for the job position.

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a particular field. They provide proof that you have been tested by an accredited organization, making it easier for employers to trust that you are proficient in the skills required for the job.

Including certifications on your resume can be beneficial when applying for jobs as they show potential employers that you are serious about developing yourself professionally and staying up-to-date with industry trends.

Certified Forensic Engineer
American Board of Forensic Engineering and Technology
May 2017

6. Contact Info

Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.

You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.

Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Luella Morar, this would be Luella-Morar-resume.pdf or Luella-Morar-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter is an important part of any job application process. It gives you the opportunity to explain why you’re a good fit for the role and show your personality more than what can be found in a resume alone.

A cover letter is typically made up of 2 or 4 paragraphs, each one providing further insight into who you are, what skills and experiences make you qualified for the position, and how passionate you are about working with the company. Although not all employers require it, having a well-crafted cover letter will give your job search an edge over other applicants.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Joshua,

I am writing to apply for the Forensic Engineer position at XYZ Corporation. As a forensic engineer with over 10 years of experience investigating the cause of structural failures, I am confident I will make significant contributions to your team.

In my previous role at ABC Corporation, I was responsible for investigating the cause of failure for a variety of structures, including buildings, bridges, and dams. I have extensive experience conducting on-site investigations, analyzing data, and preparing reports detailing my findings. My attention to detail and strong analytical skills enable me to identify even the most subtle clues that can help determine the cause of failure.

I am also skilled in testifying as an expert witness in court proceedings related to my findings. In one notable case, I was able to convince a jury that the defendant was not liable for damages by effectively communicating the scientific evidence supporting my investigation conclusions.

I am confident in my ability to provide accurate and reliable results that can stand up to scrutiny from all parties involved in litigation proceedings. I would welcome the opportunity to put my skills and experience to work for your organization and contribute to its success. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Luella