Membership
WHAT IS THE
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The National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE ®) is a
professional organization formed in 1982 to advance the art and skill of
engineers who serve as engineering consultants to members of the legal
profession and as expert witnesses in courts of law, arbitration proceedings
and administrative adjudication proceedings.
Forensic Engineering
is the application of the art and science of engineering in matters which are
in, or may possibly relate to, the jurisprudence system, inclusive of
alternative dispute resolution.
NAFE was formed to identify and bring together
professional engineers having qualifications and expertise as practicing
forensic engineers to further their continuing education and promote high
standards of professional ethics and excellence of practice.
To qualify for membership, a candidate must have
appropriate engineering education and experience in practice, including actual
experience in forensic engineering. In addition, the candidate must provide
acceptable detailed references from attorneys, senior claims managers or NAFE
members who are personally familiar with his or her forensic practice and
experience.
The National Academy of Forensic Engineers is formally
affiliated with the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and has adopted the NSPE Code of
Ethics.
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE
The National Academy of Forensic Engineers seeks
to lead in the ethical practice of forensic engineering by fostering competent,
independent and unbiased application of engineering principles within the
jurisprudence system.
BOARD CERTIFICATION
The
NAFE is a founding (charter) member of the Council of Engineering and Scientific
Specialty Boards (CESB). The CESB was formed by national engineering technical
and professional societies, the state examining boards who license professional
engineers and the accreditation board which governs the university engineering
curricula.
All of the members of NAFE are Board Certified Diplomates of the CESB through the
NAFE.
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
The
services that NAFE members receive include:
Listing in the NAFE Directory, which is available to major bar associations, insurance
groups, engineering societies and others.
A copy of the NAFE Directory.
A subscription to The Journal of
the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, which publishes papers by NAFE Members
on a variety of issues of concern to practicing forensic engineers.
The NAFE Newsletter and special
mailings with current information of particular interest to forensic engineers.
Special (low cost) insurance program for forensic engineers
available to NAFE members.
Information on NAFE seminars, held at least
semi-annually. NAFE seminars provide an opportunity to meet directly with
other forensic engineering practitioners and receive counsel and advice from Academy
officers, and members.
Access to the NAFE1 Yahoo Discussion
Group which was formed by the members of NAFE to exchange forensic engineering
information. The goal of the NAFE1 Yahoo
Discussion group is to improve and
advance the practice of Forensic Engineering. The NAFE1 Yahoo
Discussion group is for education and
technical information exchange by NAFE members only and is limited to matters
of Forensic Engineering practice.
MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY
Three
levels of membership in the National Academy of Forensic Engineers are
available - Fellow, Senior Member and Member. To gain membership and be
entitled to use the NAFE designation, an applicant must:
Be a registered professional engineer.
Hold an appropriate level of membership in a national
engineering technical society.
Hold membership in the National Society of Professional
Engineers.
Have engineering experience of at least:
20 years for Fellow status
12 years for Senior Member status
5 years for Member status.
Have experience in the practice of forensic
engineering of at least:
15 years for Fellow status
5 years for Senior Member status
2 years for Member status.
Have experience in case preparation as a
forensic engineer of at least:
50 cases for Fellow status
10 cases for Senior Member status
2 cases for Member status.
Have experience in actual courtroom testimony as
an engineering expert of at least:
10 cases for Fellow status
5 cases for Senior Member status
2 cases for Member status.
Provide acceptable detailed references from attorneys,
claims managers or NAFE members who have first-hand knowledge of the practice
and qualifications of the candidate. Requirements are:
5 references for Fellow status
3 references for Senior Member status
2 references for Member status
AFFILIATIONS
For those persons interested in forensic engineering who are ineligible for
membership in NAFE, the following affiliations are available:
CORRESPONDENT
Available to lawyers, claims personnel and other persons having an interest in
forensic engineering, including engineers not meeting the qualifications for
Academy membership. Correspondents are eligible to receive a copy of Academy
publications, a copy of the NAFE directory and may attend and participate in
NAFE meetings and seminars.
INTERNATIONAL
AFFILIATE
Available
to practicing forensic engineers residing outside the
STUDENT
AFFILIATE
Available
to engineering undergraduate or graduate students who are student members of
the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and who also are student
members of recognized technical societies. Student affiliates are eligible to
receive the Journals of the Academy and appropriate member notices and literature
(except the Academy Directory) and may attend NAFE meetings and seminars.