Research

Forensics

 

Vredenburgh, A.G. & Zackowitz, I.B. (2005). Human factors issues to be considered by product liability experts. In Y.I. Noy & W. Karwowski (Eds.), Handbook of Human Factors in Litigation. Chapter 26. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 26-1 – 26-11.

In this chapter, we will discuss some product liability issues that human factors experts should consider when investigating accidents that occur when someone is injured while using a consumer product. The objective is to demonstrate how a human factors consultant would evaluate a product liability case. This discussion will include an analysis of product design, effectiveness of warnings and instructions, and the human conduct contribution to these incidents. To demonstrate the evaluation of product liability cases, three case studies will be discussed. One case will describe design issues pertaining to the interaction between a motorcycle fuel valve and fuel gauge. A second case involves the use of barriers on a hot/cold compress. A final example will illustrate how warnings come into play by discussing a case involving latex glove hypersensitivity. Although only these cases are discussed, the analytical approach presented in this chapter can be applied by human factors experts to other products cases.

Zackowitz, I.B, & Vredenburgh, A.G. (2005). Preschoolers, adolescents and seniors: Age-related factors that pertain to forensic human factors analyses. In Y.I. Noy & W. Karwowski (Eds.), Handbook of Human Factors in Litigation. Chapter 35. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 35-1 – 35-11.

In this chapter we will discuss the age-related issues one may consider when investigating accidents that occur among preschoolers, adolescents and older individuals. The objective is to illustrate how factors beyond the basic facts of a case can be evaluated before a thorough analysis is complete. Research in psychology provides us with insight into developmental issues for many age groups. Combining forensic human factors and psychology will provide useful age-related guidelines for consultants to consider when investigating accidents. To demonstrate the evaluation of age-related human factors, six cases that we have investigated as forensic consultants will be discussed. Two cases for pre-school aged children will be presented: a pedestrian versus vehicle accident and a playground accident. Two cases illustrate adolescent issues: a child in traffic and a fall from height. Two cases concern older adults: a trip and fall accident and a driving accident. While specific cases are used as examples, this information will be useful to many practitioners in human factors forensic consulting as it can be applied to many different accident scenarios.

Vredenburgh, A.G. & Zackowitz, I.B. (2005). Sexual Harassment: A forensic human factors perspective. In Y.I. Noy & W. Karwowski (Eds.), Handbook of Human Factors in Litigation. Chapter 36. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 36-1 – 36-9.

This chapter will illustrate that harassment is a workplace safety issue that can result in physical injury, emotional and professional damage to the victim as well as negative consequences including legal liability to the organization. Because employees frequently spend many of their waking hours at work, their greatest opportunity to meet potential mates is on the job. If organizations prohibit all socializing of employees, they may feel stifled. Therefore, organizations must perform a balancing act: they must provide a safe organizational climate, yet not create an oppressive environment. In order to ensure a satisfactory outcome, both the victims of harassment and the organizations in which harassment occurs have certain responsibilities. We will discuss both the individual and organizational responsibilities and highlight these using actual examples of sexual harassment incidents. Furthermore, the principal forensic issues relevant to the discussion of harassment will be discussed.

Hornick, R.J. & Vredenburgh, A.G. (2004). A Two-way Street – With Hazards; Expert/Attorney Communications. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 1129-1130.

This panel will examine a wide range of communication issues pertinent to the attorney/expert relationship.  Effective communication between attorneys and experts is often overlooked as a critical element in the consultation relationship. How does communication impact the process from the initial phone consultation to the resolution of the case?  Panelists will discuss the initial stages of retention, the discovery process, information sharing, appropriate conduct with opposing counsel and experts, report preparation, and appropriate communication pre-deposition and trial.

Vredenburgh, A. (2000) Get Ready to be Challenged: How to prepare for the qualification process. Forvm, 16(2), 5. Reprinted in Council of Technical Groups Digest, 3(I) March 2001.

Noy, I., Vredenburgh, A., Hornick, R., Mortimer, R., Olsen, R., Thompson, D., Ryan, P., Savaglio, B., & Spangler, J. (2000). Mock Trial: Human factors contributions to litigation involving adaptive cruise control. In Proceedings of the XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association and 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 6-398 – 6-401.

A mock trial format will be used to explore some fundamental human factors issues associated with advanced cruise control systems such as have been introduced in Europe and Japan and are expected to be introduced into the North American market this year. The plaintiff in this case, the driver of a vehicle equipped with ACC, is seeking damages from the defendant, the manufacturer of the vehicle, for inappropriate design of the ACC that she alleges contributed to a motor vehicle collision in which she was involved. The underlying issue concerns the hand-over of control from the vehicle to the driver under conditions of partially automated driving. The mock trial will demonstrate the role of human factors expertise in the judicial process. Participants will include experienced human factors professionals and practicing attorneys. Commentators will highlight key issues during the proceedings. No judgment will be rendered at the conclusion. However, delegates will be surveyed to determine how human factors expert opinions may have influenced them and which arguments were most compelling.

Zackowitz, I., Cohen, H., & Vredenburgh, A. (1998). Operationally defining a legal term for forensic human factors. In Proceedings of the Silicon Valley Ergonomics Conference, Palo Alto, CA., 185-189.

Vredenburgh, A., Cohen, H.H., Hornick, R., Laughery, K., Leonard, D., Olsen, R., Smith, L., Thompson, D., Wogalter, M., & Zackowitz, I. (1997). Mock trial: How human factors experts contribute to civil litigation. Case 1: A pedestrian’s encounter with a tripping hazard. In Proceedings of the 41st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, (1) 524-528.

Vredenburgh, A., Cohen, H.H., Hornick, R., Laughery, K., Leonard, D., Olsen, R., Smith, L., Thompson, D., Wogalter, M., & Zackowitz, I. (1997). Mock trial: How human factors experts contribute to civil litigation. Case 2: Adequacy of warning systems to address product hazards. In Proceedings of the 41st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, (1) 524-528.

Vredenburgh, A.G., Zackowitz, I.B., & Cohen, H.H. (1996). Comparative risk perception of common activities: A forensic perspective. In Proceedings of the 41st Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, (1), 520-524.