Forensic Testing · FTIR · SEM · DSC · GPC · GC/MS - TGA - LC/MS, CT Scanning

Court-Admissible Forensic Testing & Plastic Failure Analysis

Court-admissible reports provide expert opinions used by attorneys to support claims. Our ASTM-compliant protocols, A2LA-certified laboratories, and Ph.D.-level experts ensure your forensic evidence withstands Daubert challenges.

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100

Years of Combined Expert Experience

200
+

Cases

38
+

States

A2LA-Certified Laboratory · ASTM-Compliant Protocols · Ph.D.-Level Expert

Why Forensic Testing Matters in Litigation

The difference between a general lab report and court-admissible forensic evidence.
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Court-Admissible Reports

Court-admissible reports provide expert opinions used by attorneys to support claims. Reports meet state and federal requirements — a 'for-information-only' lab report does not.

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Calibrated & Certified Equipment

We only use independent, A2LA-certified labs. Equipment is kept calibrated to ensure reliability.

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Ph.D.-Level Interpretation

Data in and of itself is useless without interpretation. Interpretation of lab data and conclusions are only as good as the qualifications of the expert rendering the opinions.

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ASTM Protocol Compliance

We follow ASTM standards for handling and testing evidence. We prepare a laboratory testing protocol required to collect data to reach an expert opinion within a reasonable degree of scientific certainty.

Comprehensive Testing Capabilities

Our core forensic analytical methods include CT - Optical Microscopy - SEM/EDS - FTIR - GC/MS - DSC - TGA - GPC - Mechanical Strength Tests— each providing court-admissible evidence for plastic failure litigation.

FTIR — Chemical Identification

FTIR is typically the first go-to test to determine what chemical caused a failure. Every chemical has a unique FTIR 'fingerprint.'

  • Unique chemical fingerprint identification

  • Computer library matching against thousands of chemicals

  • Unmasks material substitution and off-spec resins

  • Identifies contaminants that caused failure

  • Most tests require only milligrams of material

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Overlaid FTIR infrared spectra showing unique chemical fingerprints used in forensic plastic failure identification

GC-MS — Mixture Separation & Identification

When FTIR reveals a complex mixture, GC-MS separates the chemicals into individual components, then matches each component against thousands of chemicals in the MS fingerprint library.

  • Separates complex chemical mixtures into components

  • Mass spectrometry library matching for precise identification

  • Paired with FTIR for comprehensive chemical profiling

  • Identifies trace contaminants and degradation byproducts

  • Critical for cases involving chemical incompatibility

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Senior researcher injecting sample into GC-MS instrument for forensic chemical separation and identification

SEM & EDS — Microscopic Fracture Analysis

Optical microscopes have limited magnification. SEM achieves exceptionally high magnification with excellent contrast. EDS identifies chemical elements on the fracture surface.

  • Exceptionally high magnification with excellent contrast

  • EDS identifies elemental composition of defect particles

  • Reveals fracture modes: ESC, fatigue, creep, tensile overload

  • Gold standard for proving crack initiation at defect sites

  • Imaging beyond what optical microscopes can resolve

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Scanning electron microscope in forensic analysis laboratory used for high-magnification fracture surface examination

DSC & TGA — Thermal Analysis

DSC identifies crystalline plastics by their unique melting points. If mixed recycled plastic was used, the product will show more than one melting point — proving contamination. TGA determines filler content and thermal stability.

  • DSC identifies crystalline plastics by melting point

  • Detects recycled or contaminated resin (multiple melting points)

  • TGA measures filler content (glass fiber, carbon, inorganic)

  • Determines thermal stability of the material

  • Proves manufacturer used regrind or off-spec material

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DSC thermogram revealing dual HDPE and PP melting peaks proving recycled plastic contamination in failed product

GPC — Polymer Chain Length & Regrind Detection

Every time a plastic is heated and processed, the polymer chain molecules are shortened. GPC measures the length of polymer chains. A high population of short chains means excessive regrind was used.

  • Measures polymer chain length distribution

  • Detects excessive regrind (short polymer chains = weak parts)

  • Quantifies degree of thermal degradation from processing

  • Proves manufacturer save money by using recycled material

  • Visual X-Y graph format easily understood by juries

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GPC polymer chain length distribution graph comparing degraded and virgin polycarbonate showing molecular weight differences

DMTA — Temperature Sensitivity Analysis

Plastics weaken when heated. DMTA provides data to determine the temperature sensitivity of a plastic part and the maximum temperature it can withstand before collapse.

  • Determines temperature sensitivity of plastic materials

  • Identifies maximum service temperature before collapse

  • Explains failures under combined heat and mechanical load

  • Critical for automotive under-hood and industrial applications

  • Proves material was inappropriate for service conditions

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DMTA curve showing glass transition temperature regions and modulus changes for plastic material temperature sensitivity analysis

Representative Cases

A selection from our 198+ plastic failure litigation cases.
Chemical Incompatibility

The silent killer of CPVC, polycarbonate (PC), styrenic plastics, and acrylic systems

PEX Oxidative Degradation

Premature failures from antioxidant deficiency or non-uniform distribution

SPF Chemical Migration

Spray foam insulation attacking CPVC pipe

Advanced Capabilities

Accelerated Aging & Comparative Testing

We generally analyze "good" samples using CT scanning. CT scans often reveal incipient cracks in the unused part at the exact location where the crack initiated in the failed part. This proves a design defect is causing the failures — not user error or environmental factors.
CT Comparative Analysis

Non-destructive CT scans of "good" parts reveal hidden defects at the same locations where failed parts cracked — proving systemic design deficiency.

ASTM D3895 OIT Testing

Oxidative Induction Time tests determine if PEX pipe is appropriately stabilized to last more than a few years.

DMTA Temperature Profiling

Determines the maximum temperature a plastic part can withstand before collapse.

Multi-view CT scan showing nondestructive detection of hidden cracks and defects in failed plastic part

Testing That Proved the Case

Representative cases where forensic testing provided the decisive evidence.

CPVC  Florida

CPVC Fire Sprinkler — Chemical Incompatibility

Chlorinated PVC (CPVC)

FTIR identified incompatible acoustical caulk causing ESC cracking. SEM revealed thumbnail-shaped fracture patterns confirming chemical penetration from outside surface. Replacement of all CPVC pipe at wall penetrations where the incompatible acoustical caulk was used.

PEX  Multiple States 

PEX Piping — Premature Oxidative Degradation

Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX)

OIT testing (ASTM D3895) confirmed non-uniform antioxidant distribution from a leading PEX manufacturer. Areas with low stabilizer concentration degraded and became brittle within a few years of installation.

Product  National

Consumer Product — Contaminated Resin Detection

Polypropylene (PP)

DSC analysis revealed dual melting points proving recycled plastic contamination. GPC confirmed high population of short polymer chains from excessive regrind. Product failed due to weakened material.

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Attorney's Guide to Forensic Evidence

Critical protocols that ensure your forensic evidence survives Daubert challenges and court scrutiny.
Evidence Handling & Chain of Custody
Daubert Compliance Protocol
Expert Interpretation & Reporting

 Testing Plans for Legal Cases

Select the level of forensic investigation required — each testing plan builds on previous experience.
Preliminary non-Destructive Testing

Non-destructive evaluation and preliminary findings

  • Chain of custody documentation

  • CT scanning (non-destructive)

  • Photography & visual examination

  • Preliminary verbal opinion (3 days)

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Most Popular
Comprehensive Analysis

Full forensic investigation with court-admissible reporting

  • Everything in Basic Analysis

  • Test protocol development and approval

  • SEM/EDS fractography to determine causation

  • If chemical involvement (ESC) is indicated, FTIR to identify the chemical

  • If FTIR is not conclusive, GC-MS to further identify chemicals present

  • DSC & TGA thermal analysis

  • GPC molecular weight distribution

  • Mechanical testing (tensile, impact, hardness)

  • Court-admissible expert report

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Litigation Support

Complete forensic package with expert witness services

  • Everything in Comprehensive Analysis

  • Exemplar testing

  • Computer modeling to simulate the failure

  • Statistical analysis

  • Remediation recommendation

  • Accelerated aging studies

  • Assist in discovery process

  • Assist as needed for mediation and settlement discussions

  • Prep for deposition and trial

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Engineering & Design Services

Five core capabilities — from simulation to production-floor optimization.

  • High-rise condominiums contain thousands of feet of plastic pipe — borescopic inspection collects and archives thousands of images to quantify installation quality

  • During inspection, borescope images can reveal totally plugged pipes, installation defects, and incipient cracks

  • When cracks are found, immediate replacement is recommended with pipes and fittings marked for removal

  • Expert views all images and quantifies the quality of the installation — providing data to support damages claims across thousands of units

Quantify Your Damages

  • Whether expert for Plaintiff or Defense, forensic analysis is critical to de-risk the claim

  • Test results prove the root cause of failure — sometimes revealing the Plaintiff's theory is wrong

  • The sooner incorrect theories are identified, the better for all parties

  • When multiple potential defendants are put on notice, forensic analysis pinpoints the specific defendant at fault

De-Risk Your Defense

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Turning Data Into Jury-Friendly Evidence

Demonstrative evidence that makes complex science accessible to any audience.

"GPC data is typically demonstrated using a visual X-Y graph. The shape of the graph tells the story which can be easily and simply explained so that a lay person can understand."


Fracture surfaces are three-dimensional — including length, width, and depth. Most simple microscope images only provide a 2D view. Our high-end microscopes generate 3D images of the fracture surface showing the topology of the fracture.

Computer simulations and videos are powerful tools to demonstrate and explain complex technical concepts.
GPC Distribution Graphs

X-Y graphs showing polymer chain length distribution — short chains mean regrind, long chains mean quality. The shape tells the story at a glance.

3D Fracture Mapping

High-resolution stitched images showing fracture surface topology in three dimensions — dramatically more compelling than flat 2D microscopy.

Forensic Testing FAQ

Practical logistics of forensic testing for attorneys and investigators.

Request a Forensic Testing Quote

Tell us about your case. Our experts can provide a verbal preliminary opinion within 3 days of receiving your sample — starting with non-destructive CT scanning.

3-Day Preliminary Opinion
CT scan-based verbal findings within 3 business days of sample receipt.

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