FORENSIC MECHANICAL ENGINEER | EXPERT WITNESS
Fire & Explosion Investigation | Mechanical Failure Analysis | Automotive Forensics


James W. Laird, PE, is the Founder and Principal Engineer of CAE Forensic (Clear Analysis Engineering, PLLC), an independent forensic engineering firm based in Bellingham, Washington. With more than 16 years of experience and over 2,000 forensic inspections and failure analyses, Mr. Laird investigates the causes of fires, explosions, mechanical failures, and vehicle-related incidents for attorneys, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and self-insured organizations.



AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

FIRE AND EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION
Residential, commercial, and industrial fires involving gas piping, appliances, cooking equipment, vehicles, heavy equipment, and other mechanical systems. Investigations follow the scientific methodology outlined in NFPA 921.

MECHANICAL FAILURE ANALYSIS
Plumbing fixtures and supply lines, water heaters, HVAC and boiler systems, fire sprinkler systems, fatigue and weld failures, and other mechanical components.

AUTOMOTIVE AND VEHICLE INVESTIGATIONS
Crash data retrieval and interpretation using Bosch Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) technology, along with investigations involving steering, braking, suspension, wheel separations, and motorcycles.

EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT LIABILITY
Heavy and forestry equipment, forklifts, aerial work platforms, power tools, ladders, exercise equipment, machine guarding, and workplace safety issues.



INVESTIGATIVE APPROACH:

Mr. Laird evaluates physical evidence, technical records, applicable codes and standards, and competing failure hypotheses to develop objective, technically supported conclusions. His experience includes coordinating joint inspections and laboratory examinations with opposing experts, including optical and scanning electron microscopy of failed components.



EXPERT WITNESS EXPERIENCE:

Mr. Laird has provided expert testimony in state and federal court proceedings, with six depositions and four trials across eight matters since 2014, including two depositions in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He has experience reviewing and evaluating opposing expert opinions and preparing reports consistent with Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and the Daubert standard.

He is available to assist both plaintiff and defense counsel, as well as insurance carriers, third-party administrators, and self-insured corporations, with independent forensic investigation, failure analysis, expert reports, and testimony.



CREDENTIALS AND EDUCATION:

Mr. Laird holds a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech.

He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia.

Additional credentials include Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and Bosch CDR Technician and Data Analyst.



SERVICE AREA:

Based in Washington, CAE Forensic serves clients throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as on a national basis.