Expert Witness Blog

There are many different types of materials analysis techniques under the broad heading of “spectroscopy”, utilizing a wide variety of different approaches to probing material properties, such as absorbance, reflection, emission, scattering, thermal conductivity, and refractive index. Atomic absorption spectroscopy expert witnesses may opine on atomic absorption technology, as well as related issues. In Atomic Absorption: Feeding the Food Safety Market, Hazel Dickson writes on food safety:

The prominence of food safety in the global analytical community has revealed atomic absorption (AA) as a key player in the analysis of trace elements in foodstuffs. An established technique of several decades, AA is proving to be the technique of choice for those laboratories requiring dedicated analysis on a regular basis. Analytical laboratories inherently demand robust and reliable methodologies and instrumentation. AA offers an ideal solution, providing excellent sensitivity, accuracy, and precision. In addition, advances in automation, through online sample dilution and automated standard preparation, simplify routine tasks and offer increased productivity and sample throughput.

One of the fastest growing markets in food safety is China, mirrored by the continued growth of the Chinese Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The Food Safety Law, introduced in China in June 2009, which toughens penalties against manufacturers of mislabeled or tainted food, and has raised the profile of food safety in this region significantly. This has resulted in a noticeable increase in the trace elemental analysis of foodstuffs. China is the world’s largest exporter of fruits and vegetables, with meat, fish, and cereals (such as rice) contributing significantly to the billion-dollar export market.

Spectroscopic Analysis. There are many different types of materials analysis techniques under the broad heading of “spectroscopy”, utilizing a wide variety of different approaches to probing material properties, such as absorbance, reflection, emission, scattering, thermal conductivity, and refractive index. Spectroscopic analysis expert witnesses may opine on infrared spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy, as well as related issues. In Atomic Absorption: Feeding the Food Safety Market, Hazel Dickson writes on food safety and the media:

Recent years have seen a change in the availability of research and information relating to food and public health. Such research is no longer only visible to scientific researchers through academic literature but is becoming more and more visible to the general public through news websites, magazine articles, and online blogs and social networking sites – for example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now announces product recalls though the real-time information network Twitter. In addition, the past several months have seen a wealth of articles appearing in the general public news relating specifically to trace elements in foodstuffs, including antimony and arsenic in fruit juice, lead in cocoa products, and tin in canned foods. With an ever-increasing public and consumer awareness, the demands placed on food analysis and testing laboratories has reached an all-time high.

Read more: http://spectroscopyonline.findanalytichem.com/spectroscopy.

There are many different types of materials analysis techniques under the broad heading of “spectroscopy”, utilizing a wide variety of different approaches to probing material properties, such as absorbance, reflection, emission, scattering, thermal conductivity, and refractive index. Spectroscopy expert witnesses may opine on spectroscopic analysis and absorption spectroscopy, as well as related issues. In Atomic Absorption: Feeding the Food Safety Market, Hazel Dickson writes on metallic elements in food:

Some metallic elements are essential to the health and well being of the human body as they play an important role in basic functions. Examples of these include phosphorus, which is needed for muscle and tissue growth, and calcium, which is critical for normal cell operation. Minute amounts of zinc and manganese are required for hormone production and enzyme function. The absence or excess of these elements in the diet would result in the body not functioning in a normal and healthy way. Other elements such as arsenic, mercury, and lead are toxic and offer no physiological benefit. Entry of these elements into the body is usually via ingestion of food that has been contaminated due to pollution of the environment where the food is produced. Food and beverage suppliers and manufacturers, therefore, have a responsibility to know what is in the food they are supplying to consumers.

Read more: http://spectroscopyonline.findanalytichem.com/spectroscopy.

Interstate motor carrier operations expert witnesses may opine on federal motor carrier safety regulations and the Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as other issues. Trucking experts at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) recently issued a press release, coming out in support of the newly proposed Motor Carrier Protection Act of 2010.

Why would this legislation be a good thing for truckers? Todd Spencer, Executive Vice President of OOIDA, thinks tightening regulation and closing loopholes is necessary. “If passed, this law would put a stop to a system that allows rogue brokers and scam artist to operate unchecked,” he said. “Too often, we’ve seen bad brokers get away with collecting payment from shippers but leaving truckers holding the bag.” The OOIDA has, for many decades, represented the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. They are the nation’s largest such trade association, with over 155,000 members.

Read more: http://www.truckertrucker.com/.

In Ask the Expert: How the Securities Foreclosure Mess Happened, mortgage loans expert witness Maher E. Soliman writes on the Conditional Prepayment Rate:

The CPR is the measurement of prepayment speed determine from reversion (sale of a home) refinance or the opposite end of the spectrum which is delinquency and default. Mortgages originated over the last decade were attributed an estimated holding time or CPR of say 60 months. Other things that influence price and for understanding the lenders desire to become fixated with the sub prime mortgage sector are subject to ethical scrutiny. I am referring to extreme maximum leverage used to buy loans and the introduction of something called accounting practices such as derecognition. The latter is suspect, according to many accountants, as it offer no real value to a transfer and subject to entering a “gain on sale.”

Read more: http://www.foreclosureinfosearch.com/

Streaming media expert witnesses may opine on digital multimedia evidence and streaming video, as well as related topics. The Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) issued their Best Practices for the Acquisition of Digital Multimedia Evidence Version 3.0 on April 14, 2010, including information on preservation of DME.

DME preservation should consider the following:

Gaining Physical Access If the data is stored on-site, coordinate with personnel at the storage location to gain access to secured areas, locked containers, or storage devices.

In Ask the Expert: How the Securities Foreclosure Mess Happened, variable rate mortgages expert witness Maher E. Soliman writes:

It maybe the FDIC and lax oversight causing the unbelievable reemergence of banking and institutional investment activity in partnership. Their triparty collective efforts emerge in direct opposition to the spirit and intent of FIERREA legislation.

FIERREA was provided by the US legislature to expressly deny banks the capacity to used insured deposits to invest in junk classes of bonds disguised as securities. Devaluation of Bank equity and value once again becomes a reality.

Gas stations expert witnesses may opine on service stations, filling stations, gasoline, petrol, and diesel fuel. Here the California Service Station & Automotive Repair Association writes on ENHANCED INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR VST (Vapor Systems Technologies Inc.) NOZZLES:

On July 26, the Air Resources Board (ARB) held a meeting with industry associations and representatives to clarify expectations of the Enhanced Inspection Program that will mitigate gasoline spray incidents by VST nozzles.

A few CSSARA members have shared specific issues that they have had concerning customer complaints about pumping gas without hold-open nozzle clips, and about VST removing clips without prior approval in an attempt to fix the problem. Dealers have said that they have had VST reattach the clips to satisfy customers. The ARB is aware of these complaints and is exploring steps to be taken to alleviate the problems.

Transportation rules and regulations expert witnesses may opine on federal motor carrier safety regulations and the Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as other issues. Trucking experts at the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) recently issued a press release, coming out in support of the newly proposed Motor Carrier Protection Act of 2010.

The act would establish significant penalties for violations of broker regulations, including unlimited liability for freight charges for conducting brokerage activities without a license or bond. Additionally, if the bill is passed into law, brokers and freight forwarders will be required to renew their operating authority annually and FMCSA will be required to revoke operating authority that is not renewed annually. Revenue generated from the renewal fees would then be dedicate to FMCSA’s oversight and enforcement of broker regulations. The bill establishes strict guidelines on companies that provide brokers with surety bonds, as well as guidelines on how they administer these bonds. The bill clarifies that trucking companies must have a broker’s or freight forwarder’s license and an appropriate bond in addition to their motor carrier operating authority to arrange freight for another carrier for compensation.

Read more: http://www.truckertrucker.com/.