Forensic engineering and its future in Sabah: Strengthening infrastructure integrity

FORENSIC engineering is an emerging and highly important discipline in modern infrastructure management.

In essence, forensic engineering refers to the application of engineering principles and scientific investigation to determine the causes of failures or deficiencies in materials, structures and engineering systems.

The discipline focuses on identifying why a structure or system fails to perform as intended and provides recommendations to prevent recurrence in the future.

As infrastructure development continues to expand in Sabah, the role of forensic engineering will become increasingly significant for both government agencies and the private sector.

From the government perspective, forensic engineering plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and reliability of public infrastructure.

Government departments such as the Public Works Department (JKR) are responsible for managing large numbers of public assets including roads, bridges, public buildings and slope structures.

Through forensic investigations engineers are able to analyse structural deterioration, identify root causes of damage and recommend corrective or preventive measures.

These investigations allow the government to maintain asset integrity while also improving design standards and maintenance policies for future infrastructure projects.

Sabah presents unique engineering challenges due to its geographical and environmental conditions.

The state has mountainous terrain, high rainfall, and significant soil variability which increase the risk of slope failures, landslides and foundation problems.

In addition, Sabah has experienced seismic activity in the past making structural resilience an important consideration in engineering design.

Forensic engineering investigations help engineers analyse failures associated with geotechnical conditions such as unstable slopes, settlement of foundations or structural cracking.

Such investigations are vital in determining whether failures were caused by design errors, construction defects, material weaknesses, or environmental factors.

Infrastructure systems such as roads, buildings, power supply networks and water supply systems require periodic forensic evaluation to ensure long term safety and serviceability.

Road failures such as pavement cracking, settlement, or bridge deterioration can disrupt transportation networks and affect economic activities. Similarly, failures in building structures can pose risks to public safety and result in costly repairs.

Power supply infrastructure, including substations and transmission towers, must also be regularly assessed to avoid structural failures that could disrupt electricity distribution.

Water supply systems, including pipelines and reservoirs, are equally critical, as structural defects or pipeline failures may cause service interruptions or contamination.

By conducting systematic forensic checks, engineers can detect hidden defects or latent conditions before they develop into major structural failures.

According to Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Amarjit Singh, the discipline is not only about investigating failures but also about learning from them to strengthen future infrastructure planning.

He emphasises that Sabah must begin to integrate forensic engineering practices into routine infrastructure monitoring rather than relying solely on reactive investigations after failures occur.

In his opinion, proactive forensic assessments can significantly reduce maintenance costs, extend the service life of infrastructure assets, and improve public safety.

He further notes that developing local expertise in forensic engineering will allow Sabah to respond more efficiently to infrastructure issues while building technical capacity within the state.

In the private sector forensic engineering services are increasingly required by developers, contractors, consultants, insurance companies and legal institutions.

When structural defects occur in construction projects, forensic engineers are appointed to determine the sequence of events leading to the failure and identify responsible factors.

These findings are often used in contractual disputes or legal proceedings. The private sector also benefits from forensic investigations because lessons learned from past failures can improve future project design, construction practices and quality assurance systems.

One important issue in forensic engineering practice is the certification and independence of forensic investigations. Ideally, forensic certification should be conducted by independent consultants rather than contractors involved in the original construction works.

Independent consultants are more likely to provide unbiased technical assessments because they do not have direct financial or contractual interests in the project outcome.

Contractors, while knowledgeable about construction processes, may face potential conflicts of interest if they are responsible for defects or failures.

Therefore, the involvement of certified forensic engineering consultants ensures transparency, professional accountability and credibility of the investigation findings.

Looking ahead, Sabah has strong potential to develop its own forensic engineering expertise through collaboration between government agencies, universities, and professional engineering bodies.

Educational institutions can contribute by introducing specialised forensic engineering programmes, research initiatives, and professional training courses.

Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Amarjit Singh believes that Sabah should establish a structured framework for forensic engineering practice including certification standards, investigation protocols and professional guidelines tailored to the state’s environmental and geological conditions.

In conclusion, forensic engineering is a vital discipline for the future development of Sabah’s infrastructure.

By investigating failures, identifying root causes, and recommending preventive measures, forensic engineering helps ensure that infrastructure systems remain safe, reliable and sustainable.

Both government and private sector stakeholders must recognise the importance of systematic forensic checks on critical infrastructure such as roads, buildings, power supply networks and water systems.

With proper certification, professional independence, and institutional support, forensic engineering will play a key role in strengthening Sabah’s infrastructure resilience and supporting long term economic development.