In 1987, Paul Angelides founded his own engineering firm in Syosset, New York, where he still serves as president. Paul Angelides is a senior member of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE).
Forensic engineers tend to be highly experienced professional engineers who can help with legal cases where, for example, there was an accident or crime related to building construction, engineering, or sometimes automobiles. Forensic engineers can help their clients understand what may have happened, and they often take the stand in court proceedings to present and defend a particular interpretation of the event in question.
Forensic engineering is a niche within professional engineering. It requires different skills than most engineering jobs, including speaking in front of an audience, staying cool during cross-examination, and handling difficult ethical concerns. Most forensic engineers get started not because they went through a program or applied for the job, but because someone involved in a court case called on them for their expertise.
NAFE provides this small group of engineers with a network and resources for dealing with the difficult issues they face and for advancing their capacity to do what they do. With a small membership of about 450, NAFE is selective. Applicants who want to join the organization.
must come with experience, recommendations, and membership in other technical societies in order to be considered.
