Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2026 NAFE summer conference to be held July 17-19 in Portland, Maine.
Read More Read more about Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Summer Technical Conference in Portland, MaineThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 6-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 42, No. 2), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the summer meeting in July. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
David J. Icove, PhD, PE, DFE
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2026 NAFE winter conference (Saturday technical session) to be held January 16-18, 2026 in New Orleans, La.
Read More Read more about 2 Weeks Left to Submit Abstracts for NAFE Technical Sessions in New Orleans (Winter Meeting)Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2026 NAFE winter conference (Saturday technical session) to be held January 16-18, 2026 in New Orleans, La.
Read More Read more about Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Winter Technical Conference in New OrleansThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 6-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 42, No. 1), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the winter meeting in January. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
David J. Icove, PhD, PE, DFE
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2025 NAFE summer conference to be held July 11-13 in Ottawa, Canada.
Read More Read more about Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Summer Technical Conference in Ottawa, CanadaThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 4-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 41, No. 2), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the summer meeting in July in Ottawa. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE, F.ASME
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
Read the announcement below for information on the deadline extension for submitting an abstract for the upcoming 2025 NAFE winter conference (Saturday technical sessions) to be held Jan. 17-19 in Santa Fe, N.M. Get your abstracts in on or before September 27 to the online journal management system (OJS).
Read More Read more about Deadline Extended to Sept. 27 -- Get Your Abstracts In for Santa Fe Technical Session at Winter ConferenceRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the upcoming 2025 NAFE winter conference to be held Jan. 17-19 in Santa Fe, N.M.
Read More Read more about 1 Week Left to Submit Abstracts — Saturday NAFE Technical Sessions in Santa Fe (Winter Meeting)Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2025 NAFE winter conference to be held Jan. 17-19 in Santa Fe, N.M.
Read More Read more about Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Winter Technical Conference in Santa FeThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 4-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 41, No. 1), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the winter meeting in January. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE, F.ASME
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
The deadline for Ann Arbor abstracts is less than 1 week away -- we're still soliciting papers/presentations for the Saturday Technical Sessions. Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2024 NAFE summer conference in Ann Arbor, Mich. The abstract deadline is April 2.
Read More Read more about 1 Week Left to Submit Abstracts for Saturday NAFE Technical Sessions in Ann ArborThe deadline for Ann Arbor abstracts is fast approaching (1 month left). Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2024 NAFE summer conference in Ann Arbor, Mich. The abstract deadline is April 2.
Read More Read more about There's Still Time To Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Summer Technical Conference in Ann ArborRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2024 NAFE summer conference in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Read More Read more about Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Summer Technical Conference in Ann ArborAbstracts going forward will be a firm 150 word minimum, 200 maximum.
As a reminder, presentations made as part of the peer-review process do not have to use the NAFE template provided on the Submission page. That template was developed for the pandemic-era conferences and is provided as an optional resource. Presentations are to be about 40 minutes long with 10-15 minutes of Q&A. The Q&A is important for the peer-review process so presentations going too long will be asked to go to the conclusion to ensure there is time for questions.
Thank you for all the contributions. We have published a 7-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 40, No. 2), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the summer meeting in July. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE, F.ASME
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
The deadline for Daytona abstracts is fast approaching. Read the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2024 NAFE winter conference in Daytona Beach, Fla. The abstract deadline is September 15.
Read More Read more about There's Still Time To Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Winter Technical Conference in Daytona BeachRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2024 NAFE winter conference in Daytona Beach, Fla. The abstract deadline is less than 30 days away.
Read More Read more about Don't Delay: Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Winter Technical Conference in Daytona BeachRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the 2024 NAFE winter conference in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Read More Read more about Submit Your Abstract for the NAFE Winter Technical Conference in Daytona BeachThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 7-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 40, No. 1), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the winter meeting in January. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE, F.ASME
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
We're extending the abstract deadline for the summer NAFE Saturday Technical Sessions in Kansas City. Get your abstracts in by April 22. Read the full announcement below for details.
Read More Read more about There's Still Time to Submit an Abstract for Saturday NAFE Technical Sessions in Kansas CityPlease get your abstracts in by end of this week (April 15) for consideration for the summer NAFE Saturday Technical Sessions in Kansas City. Read the full announcement below for details.
Read More Read more about 1 More Week to Submit Abstracts for Saturday NAFE Technical Sessions in Kansas CityYou still have time to submit an abstract by the April 15 for the summer NAFE conference in Kansas City. Read the full announcement below for details.
Read More Read more about Get Your Abstracts In ASAP for Saturday NAFE Technical Sessions in KC — 2 Weeks Left Until DeadlineRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the summer NAFE conference.
Read More Read more about Abstract Deadline Approaching (April 15) for Summer NAFE Conference in Kansas CityRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the summer NAFE conference.
Read More Read more about Submit an Abstract for the Summer Conference in Kansas CityRead the announcement below for information on submitting an abstract for the summer NAFE conference.
Read More Read more about Submit an Abstract for the Summer Conference and Publish in the NAFE JournalWe're extending the deadline to 9-15 for abstract submissions of technical presentations/papers for Saturday's program in San Antonio.
Read More Read more about Deadline Extended to September 15 -- It's Not Too Late to Submit an Abstract for San Antonio Saturday Technical SessionWe're still looking for abstract submissions for technical presentations/papers for Saturday's program in San Antonio.
Read More Read more about Submit an Abstract for San Antonio Conference and Publish in the NAFE JournalWe're soliciting papers for the Saturday Technical Session segment of our annual winter meeting (to be held January 6-8 in San Antonio at the Hotel Contessa).
Read More Read more about 2023 San Antonio Winter MeetingThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 6-paper edition of the Journal (Vol. 39, No. 1), which is now live on our website at journal.nafe.org. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind for the San Antonio meeting in January. The call for papers is now open, so please register/log in to journal.nafe.org to submit new abstracts.
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE, F.ASME
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
It’s time to solicit papers for the Saturday Technical Session segment of our annual winter meeting (to be held January 6-8 in San Antonio at the Hotel Contessa).
Read More Read more about San Antonio Meeting 2023It’s time to solicit papers for the Saturday Technical Session segment of our annual meeting (to be held July 22-24 in Toronto at the Hyatt Regency Toronto).
Read More Read more about Toronto Summer MeetingKEY DATES
4-01: Abstracts due from authors in OJS
4-10: Abstracts reviewed and rated by AEs (Editorial Board)
4-15: Abstracts (up to 8 papers and 2 backups) selected for conference by Editorial Board and authors notified. Anything selected as a backup *will* be slated for the following conference. Selection as “backup” is to be more about redundancy for a conference than quality. There is no “theme” schedule for this event, unlike prior “marine” or “fire” themed conferences.
4-16: AEs are assigned to papers in OJS
5-15: 90% draft papers to AE, who provides feedback to author and makes sure all issues resolved by 7-1
6-1: Powerpoint drafts with 2 “learning questions” and at least 5 “prompting” questions due to AE, who provides feedback to author and makes sure they’ve resolved any issues by 7-15
7-22 to 7-24: Conference presentations given in Toronto
The Tuscon meeting went very well. Tonja Koob (Forensic Hydrology and Environmental Assessment in Louisiana’s First Oil Field: A 100-Year Recreation of Historical Land Use) and Elizabeth Buc (Self-Loosening Sediment Traps Resulting in Gas Explosions) were voted as the best presentations for Journal presentations. We are looking forward to publishing their paper and everyone else who presented.
If you have an idea for a paper, please review the infomation on the Journal site and submit an abstract. We do not require an abstract to come in at a specific time. If it helps you to start earlier, particularly if you have time availabe early on, then we will support that by accepting the abstracts. Please do not submit more abstracts than you are willing to be accepted for a given cycle. The official call for abstracts along with milestone dates will be announced later.
All abstracts for a given publication cycle will be evaluated at the same time. Our intent is to approve "8 + 1" or possibly "8 + 2" -- that we select the best 9 or 10 *qualified* abstracts for development. Everyone selected commits to submitting the pre-conference draft paper and developing a presentation. The "+1" or "+2" will move up if one from the initial 8 drops out or requires too much revision to stay on the initial schedule. If all 8 initial selectees are presented, the the others will be automatically in the next conference cycle. All papers will be of acceptable quality, so what makes a paper a "+1 or +2" will be subject redundancy or other content-related issues.
As always, I am willing to review an abstract and provide feedback prior to submission. Abstract selection is done by the committee without author names. My email is "eic@nafe.org".
If you wish to be a peer reviewer or join the Technical Review Committee as an Associate Editor (AE), please email me. The Journal's Managing Editor (Ellen Parsons) assigns the AE's while the Senior Associate Editor (Jim Green) assigns peer reviewers. Authors know their AE but no their peer reviewers.
Letters and certificates for credits for doing peer review or being Associate Editor will be released in the next few weeks. I look forward to seeing abstracts for new papers for Toronto as well as
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE
EIC, JotNAFE
Vol. 38, #2 is published. We have six papers, featuring failed resin components; a crash involving an articulated semi-trailer; an industrial electric failure; a fire investigation involving a gas log; a failure of a hot water recirculation system; and electrocution fatalities due to downed powerlines. Thank you to all of the authors for their hard work!
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE
Editor In Chief, JotNAFE
We still have openings for papers for Tuscon. This is your chance to be published. The subject matter must be about the field of forensic engineering and be about a method, technique, or case study. Papers have also taken other approaches, such as historical studies to show how standards changed and its impact on liability. The critical aspect is it cannot be just a "war story," recounting a case and presenting opinions. A Journal paper's conclusion must be supported by work shown (like a case study showing the engineering effort or disecting the opposing work) and/or by citation of showing supporting theory, supporting facts, similar examples, etc.
We will work with you. If you can produce a "90% draft", as described in our Submission page, by Nov. 1 we would love to have you present it at Tuscon and publish it next summer. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Bart Kemper, P.E., DFE
Editor In Chief, JotNAFE
email: EIC@nafe.org
Abstract submission for the NAFE Winter 2022 meeting is now open through September 30. If you have a forensic engineering "lesson learned" to share, please consider developing a paper for the Journal. We will be seeking 8 papers plus 2 "in reserve". The ones selected for "reserve" will be based on redundancy with others (i.e., two auto accidents). Any paper selected as "reserve" and not needed is automatically accepted for the following conference. As a registered user, you can search the Journal archives to see if the topic has been addressed before. As long as you have a new aspect to present, it will be considered. You can find the requirements and guidance by using the "Make a submission" button, and you can review papers from the last few years to get a better feel for what a successful paper is. I look forward to reviewing your abstract.
Read More Read more about Call for Papers Winter 2022 MeetingThank you for all the contributions. We have published a 16-paper edition of the Journal. It's live on our website at journal.nafe.org. We are steadily working through the backlog of papers as well as bringing 6 new papers to be presented at this week's NAFE Summer Conference in Providence, RI. The Journal is actively contributing to expanding the body of knowledge for forensic engineering, as evidenced by the continuous searching and downloading of our papers. We hope NAFE members will have new papers in mind we we do our next call for abstracts in a few months.
Bart Kemper, P.E., DFE
Editor-In-Chief, JotNAFE
Emails have gone out for the Peer Reviewers for the last two editions of the Journal. Going forward, we will not wait until a paper is published. By the end of August all peer review work for remaining unpublished papers will be documented and emailed, regardless of when the review was conducted. In the future we will be issuing out credit for Peer Review work every June and December. This will give Reviewers timely documentation for their work for the Journal.
If you worked on a paper published in the last two editions of JotNAFE and have not received an email, please contact me at eic@nafe.org. Some of the emails have bounced.
Peer reviewers are vital to our Journal. They conduct the detailed review of a paper's methods and citation. Many jurisdictions and organizations, including NAFE, give PDH credit for peer review work. If anyone wishes to be a peer reviewer, or has been a peer reviewer in the past but has not been active, please contact me and I'll update the roster.
Bart Kemper
Editor In Charge, JotNAFE
Abstract submissions for the NAFE Summer 2021 meeting is now open through April 15. If you have a forensic engineering "lesson learned" to share, please consider developing a paper for the Journal. We will be seeking 8 papers plus 2 "in reserve". The ones selected for "reserve" will be based on redundancy with others (ie, two auto accidents). Any paper selected as "reserve" and not needed is automatically accepted for the following conference. As a registered user you can search the Journal archives to see if the topic has been addressed before. As long as you have a new aspect to present, it will be considered. You can find the requirements and guidance by using the "Make a submission" button and you can review papers from the last few years to get a better feel for what a successful paper is. I look forward to reviewing your abstract.
Read More Read more about Call for Papers for Summer 2021Abstract submissions for the NAFE Summer 2021 meeting is now open through April 15. If you have a forensic engineering "lesson learned" to share, please consider developing a paper for the Journal. As a registered user you can search the Journal archives to see if the topic has been addressed the same way you plan. You can find the requirements and guidance by using the "Make a submission" button and you can review papers from the last few years to get a better feel for what a successful paper is. I look forward to reviewing your abstract.
Bart Kemper, PE, DFE
Editor In Chief
Template broken. Now fixed.
Read More Read more about Apologies for previous errorsWe're now "live" as a journal! Please check your bio!
Read More Read more about DOIs and your Biographical info