Prior to starting his forensic engineering practice, Mr. Tompkins had a 25-year automotive engineering career that included a variety of design, test and development positions for auto/truck manufacturers and suppliers as both an employee or a consultant. Mr. Tompkins has specific engineering experience in the following auto chassis areas: steering, brakes, tires, suspensions, power trains and vehicle dynamics.
Mr. Tompkins is a licensed Professional Engineer of Michigan, Oregon and Washington. His credentials have been accredited by NCEES (The National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying) to streamline registration via comity in other states.
Mr. Tompkins has worked as an ASE Certified Master Automobile Mechanic, taught Vocational Auto Mechanics and has an extensive welding/fabrication background. He participated in more than 250 races in SCCA, ARCA and NASCAR's Grand American Division as driver, crew chief and/or racecar builder.
In fourteen years as a forensic engineer, Mr. Tompkins has been retained on over 1000 cases. He has qualified as an expert more than 45 times in various state and federal courts.
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: B.S.M.E. (automotive engineering major) University of Michigan 1970.
Registered Professional Engineer-Michigan (26692)
Registered Professional Engineer-Washington (32046)
Registered Professional Engineer-Oregon (17770)
NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying) Council Record 13105
SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) National Competition License (1972-1976)
NIASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) certified Master Automobile Mechanic (1974 - 1978)
State of Michigan Master Automobile Mechanic (1976 - 1988)
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Private Pilot - SEL (1991 - Present)
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: SAE (Society of Automotive Engineeers)
FARO (Forensic Accident Reconstructionists of Oregon)
WATAI (Washington Association of Technical Accident Investigators)
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Taught Vocational Auto Mechanics at Regional Career Center, Ypsilanti, MI (1972 - 1974)
"Understanding Kinematics as the Basis of Future Front Suspension Design," presented to Engineers, Designers and Analysts of General Motors Corp. Engineering Staff and CPC Group, June 1985
"Five Link Front Suspensions Systems," presented to General Motors CPC Group Management, Production Design, Advanced Design and Manufacturing Engineeering staffs, March 10, 1987
"Impact Analysis of Low-Speed Collisions," Talbott Associates seminars presented to plaintiff and defense attorneys in Portland,OR, Seattle, WA, and Vancouver, WA
"Data Collection Guidelines - Making Cost Effective Use of your Engineering Expert," a training seminar for Safeco Employees, November 1999
Guest Speaker, Pacific Northwest Legal Conference CLE, Ocean Shores, WA, December 2001
"Automotive Product Defect Investigation - Looking for a Needle in a Haystack?" Oregon Casualty Adjusters Association, November, 2002
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: More than 1000
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Accident reconstruction of Auto, Truck, Motorcycle, Bicycle, Pedestrian and Railroad accidents
Industrial Accident or Failure Investigation
Failure Analysis of mechanical devices
Product defect/liability investigation of automobiles, automotive components and consumer products
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: approximately 30%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: approximately 70%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: 20
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: January 23,2007
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: More than 45
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: More than 75
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: 14 years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Accident investigation and reconstruction, mechanical failure analysis, product defect/liability investigation, testing, written reports, CAD drawings, 2-D and 3-D animations, expert testimony when required
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Please contact my office for a current fee schedule.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: Please refer to Cronrath & Tompkins, Forensic Engineers, P.S. current fee schedule, available by contacting my office.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: Please refer to Cronrath & Tompkins, Forensic Engineers, P.S. current fee schedule, available by contacting my office.
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Please refer to Cronrath & Tompkins, Forensic Engineers current fee schedule, available by contacting my office.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Please refer to Cronrath & Tompkins, Forensic Engineers, P.S. current fee schedule, available by contacting my office.
