Case Repository - AI Ethical Decision-Making Simulator

2019

Expert Witness—Chair of Standards and Safety Committee

Case #19-3

Questions

What are Engineer A’s ethical obligations under the circumstances?

Conclusions

Engineer A’s role as a private forensic engineering expert should not present any clear or apparent conflict of interest.
Engineer A has an obligation to (1) fully disclose to Attorney X his role as the chairman of the boiler code standards and safety committee within an engineering society, and (2) advise Attorney X that Engineer B serves a member of one of the technical subcommittees within the boiler code standards and safety committee.
Engineer A has an obligation to be respectful of Engineer B in his role as a member of one of the technical subcommittees within the boiler code standards and safety committee and also not engage in any written or verbal exchanges with Engineer B regarding the pending litigation without direction from legal counsel.

2007

Expert Witness—Disclosure of Interests Represented

Case #07-12

Employer Faithful Agents and Trustees Advertising Public Statements and Criticism Misrepresentation/Omission of Facts Professional Reports, Statements, Testimony Statements on Technical Matters for Interested Parties Conflict of Interest Outside Employment/Moonlighting | Synthesis Find Similar

Questions

Was it ethical for Engineer A to provide expert testimony in the manner described?
Was it ethical for Engineer A to serve as a expert witness under the circumstances?

Conclusions

It was unethical for Engineer A to provide expert testimony in the manner described.
It was unethical for Engineer A to serve as a expert witness under the circumstances.

2005

Failure to Disclose Full Impact of Development

Case #05-4

Misrepresentation/Omission of Facts Professional Reports, Statements, Testimony Opinions Statements on Technical Matters for Interested Parties Conflict of Interest Faithful Agents and Trustees Advertising Self-Promotion | Synthesis Find Similar

Questions

Was it ethical for Engineer A to fail to volunteer the fact that the anticipated commercial development could significantly increase traffic, as well as air and noise pollution?

Conclusions

It was not unethical for Engineer X to fail to volunteer the fact that the anticipated commercial development could increase traffic, as well as noise and air pollution.

1995

Failure To Include Information In Engineering Report

Case #95-5

Misrepresentation/Omission of Facts Professional Reports, Statements, Testimony Opinions Statements on Technical Matters for Interested Parties Errors Duty to Disclose Advertising Self-Promotion | Synthesis Find Similar

Questions

Was it ethical for Engineer B to not have included the failed operation of the test equipment in his report?
Was it ethical for Engineer B not to communicate with any representatives of Engineer A about the project?
Was it ethical for Engineer B not to communicate with the contractor’s supervisor and workers who were on the job during construction?
and 1 more

Conclusions

It was unethical for Engineer B to issue his report without mentioning the failed operation of the testing equipment.
It was unethical for Engineer B to not communicate with any representative of Engineer A about the project.
It was unethical for Engineer B to not communicate with the contractor’s supervisor and workers who were on the job during construction.
It was unethical for Engineer B to issue his report without mentioning that the 19 piles questioned had, according to the driving records, met refusal.