Andy Bryce
Andrew’s career in forensic engineering began while carrying out an undergraduate placement at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, analysing the cause of aircraft component failures for the Air Accident Investigation Branch. Following his Masters Degree he joined Rolls Royce plc, Military Engine Division in 1988 where he was trained in the forensic investigation of engine failures for both in-service and development engines. Other areas of responsibility included carrying out in-service turbine component condition assessments and writing quality standards. Andrew resigned from Rolls Royce at Senior Scientist grade and joined Hawkins in 1991. Since joining Hawkins, Andrew has carried out over 1700 forensic investigations involving engineering, fire and explosion incidents both in the United Kingdom and overseas. These cases have covered a great range, from small domestic incidents to multi-million pound losses in shops, warehouses, factories, power stations (gas turbines & compressors), aerospace and marine. Andrew is experienced in the legal process and has given evidence in the capacity of an expert witness in Magistrates’ Courts, County Courts, High Courts, Crown Courts, Coroner’s Courts, mediations and arbitrations on numerous occasions. He is listed as an expert in the Expert Witness Directory. Andrew is currently a Director of Hawkins and based in the […]
Investigating Fires Involving Biomass Boilers
Biomass is the use of organic matter as a fuel, used since people first burnt wood to cook food and keep warm. More recently, it has been part of a drive for using renewable energy sources to fuel our homes and businesses, rather than fossil fuels.
Carriage of Coal: Gas Monitoring & Ventilation
When transported or stored in bulk, coal can be hazardous because: it can create a flammable atmosphere, it can self-heat, it can deplete the oxygen concentration and, it can corrode steel structures.
Spark Ignition: Electrical Fires Onboard Vehicles
Forensic investigations into the causation of vehicle fires may be considered, by some, to be a dark art.
Dr Andrew Moncrieff Gives a Webinar on Arson for The Association of Insurance Surveyors
On 31 January, Dr Andrew Moncrieff spoke (virtually) to 42 members of the AIS about arson, and techniques that Hawkins use to determine whether a fire was set deliberately or not.
BLEVEs – The Hidden Danger of Back Boilers
Back boilers are often located within a chimney breast behind either an open fire or range cooker, and they are typically installed during a house’s initial construction.
Getting Pyrotechnical: This Article Is Not About Fireworks
We are all probably very familiar with fireworks, especially the type commonly used in gardens on Bonfire Night, or those seen when watching professional displays at weddings and other celebrations. These types of fireworks are classified F1 to F4 in “The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015,” covering all the types of fireworks from hand-held sparklers to the largest display shells used by professionals.
Arson: A Burning Desire
Arson: A Burning Desire: Arsonists cause injury, death, property destruction, burdening insurance companies financially.
Ed Hammersley Joins Hawkins’ Fire Investigation Team
After graduating from the University of York in 2002, Ed worked at analytical laboratories in Yorkshire and London, specialising in the field of analytical chemistry. He then moved to Pfizer in Kent, as an analytical research scientist within the pharmaceutical research and development group.
Hawkins’ Easter Eggsperiments #3: Egg-splosion
An exploding egg-speriment. Don’t try this at home! Our team includes chemists and forensic engineers who are highly trained and skilled in dealing with flammable items and the necessary safety precautions.