Frequently Asked Questions - Engineering Consulting & Expert Witness Services
Straight Forward Answers to Common Questions About Failure Analysis, Forensic Investigation, and Engineering Expertise
At Clarksean and Associates, we know that when you're facing a technical failure, legal case, or complex engineering challenge, you need clear answers fast. This FAQ page is designed to help you better understand our services, capabilities, and process—whether you're an attorney, insurer, engineer, or business owner. We’ve compiled the most common questions we receive to give you insight into how we work and how we can help.
Your Questions Answered - Explore Our Engineering FAQ Below
General Questions
What does Clarksean and Associates do?
We provide expert engineering consultation, forensic investigation, and failure analysis for mechanical and thermal systems. Dr. Randy Clarksean applies 35+ years of experience to uncover root causes behind system failures, fires, explosions, and more.
Who is Dr. Randy Clarksean?
Dr. Clarksean is a Ph.D. Mechanical Engineer, PE, and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator. He’s worked on engineering cases across the U.S., Europe, SE Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, providing expert witness testimony in high-stakes cases.
Where is Clarksean and Associates based?
We’re located in Perham, Minnesota—but we consult nationally and internationally.
👉 Have a case that needs investigation? Contact us now.
What industries do you serve?
We’ve worked in manufacturing, energy, construction, agriculture, mining, HVAC, fire protection, and more. If a system fails or a design is in question, we can help you with it.
Do you only work with large companies?
No—we serve clients of all sizes, including law firms, insurers, engineers, and small businesses. If you have a complex technical problem, we can help.
Do you travel for onsite investigations?
Yes. We frequently travel across the U.S. and internationally for onsite inspections and evidence collection.
📞 Need an expert on location? Reach out today to schedule your consultation.
Failure Analysis
What is failure analysis?
Failure analysis determines why a component, system, or process failed. We use engineering calculations, forensic inspection, and testing to uncover the true root cause.
Why is understanding the true root cause so important?
Because surface-level answers don’t fix the real issue. We go beyond “what failed” to uncover why—so you can prevent repeat failures and future liability.
What kinds of failures do you investigate?
From bolts, bearings, and pressure vessels to turbines, irrigation systems, and electrical components—we’ve worked on it all.
Don’t guess—get a root cause you can rely on. Start your failure analysis today.
What is thermocouple failure analysis?
We examine thermal sensors like thermocouples to understand if they failed due to temperature spikes, material degradation, or installation errors.
How long does a typical failure investigation take?
It depends on complexity, but most cases begin with a preliminary finding within 2–4 weeks. Detailed reporting may follow shortly after. In litigation, the time frame will be driven by discovery and other legal matters.
Do you provide failure prevention recommendations?
Yes—we don’t just analyze failure; we recommend changes to design, materials, or maintenance practices to prevent future issues.
Ready to fix what went wrong Let’s solve it together.
Fire and Explosion Investigations
Do you handle residential fire investigations?
Yes—we investigate fires in homes, garages, and multi-family structures, often on behalf of insurance companies or fire protection specialists.
What about industrial explosions of large-scale losses?
Absolutely. We’ve worked on major incidents at coal storage facilities, power plants, and industrial sites, following NFPA 921 guidelines.
Can you determine if a fire was caused by a lithium battery?
Yes. We’ve handled lithium-ion fire cases involving laptops, toys, and portable power units using X-ray, forensic disassembly, and thermal modeling.
Need answers after a fire or explosion? Consult our team today.
Are you qualified to testify in fire-related cases?
Yes. Dr. Clarksean is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and a Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII).
What is NFPA 921 and why does it matter?
It’s the gold standard for fire investigation practices. We follow NFPA 921 methodologies to ensure our findings are scientifically valid and court-admissible.
How soon should an investigator be called after a fire?
As soon as possible. Early involvement helps preserve physical evidence before it's lost, removed, or altered.
Don’t wait—get a qualified expert involved now.
Engineering Analysis & Testing
What is engineering analysis?
It’s the use of math, physics, and modeling tools (like FEA and CFD) to evaluate stress, flow, and thermal behavior in systems or components.
Can you help with design verification?
Yes. We assist in verifying engineering designs before manufacturing or implementation—reducing risk and improving reliability.
What tools do you use for analysis?
We use hand calculations, spreadsheets, finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), structural analysis, and computational heat transfer (CHT).
Have a complex design or system? Let’s run the numbers.
What is natural frequency analysis?
It’s used to evaluate the vibration behavior of a structure or component to avoid resonance and fatigue issues.
Can you test actual components or just models?
We do both. We combine modeling with real-world experimental testing to validate results and simulate real conditions.
What is the benefit of using both simulation and testing?
It ensures accuracy. Modeling shows theoretical behavior; testing proves it in reality. Together, they provide strong, defensible results.
Need test results you can trust? Ask us about experimental validation.
Expert Witness & Legal Support
Do you work as an expert witness?
Yes. Dr. Clarksean has testified in cases involving product defects, design flaws, engineering malpractice, and industrial accidents.
What types of legal cases do you support?
We’re experienced in personal injury, wrongful death, insurance subrogation, trade secret theft, and patent infringement litigation.
How are you findings presented in court?
Through detailed written reports, clear visualizations, and testimony designed to help juries and judges understand complex technical subjects.
Need expert support for your legal case? Let’s talk.