Clifford C. Bigelow, P.E., CFEI

Principal Consultant

Forensic Services

St. Louis

Background

Mr. Clifford Bigelow earned a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering and an M.S. degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in four states and is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CFVI) through the National Association of Fire Investigators.

Mr. Bigelow consults on a wide range of projects involving materials and mechanical engineering investigations. He has over 35 years of engineering and consulting experience in the fields of failure analysis, metallurgy, materials characterization, mechanical engineering, accident investigation, product development, testing, and design. He has broad experience conducting comprehensive in-field and laboratory investigations of damage and failures involving transportation equipment, industrial machinery, and consumer products. His experience includes engineering investigations of automobile and truck accidents, industrial accidents, and failure and damage analysis of a broad range of manufacturing and process equipment such as boilers, pressure vessels, weldments, rotating equipment, valves, piping, and castings. His expertise has been applied in the failure analysis of automobile, truck, railroad, and aircraft systems including aircraft turbine and reciprocating engines. Mr. Bigelow is active in the investigation of residential and industrial fire and explosions and specializes in laboratory analysis of materials in fire cause determinations with emphasis on fire cause analysis of fuel gas and electrical systems involved in fires.

Mr. Bigelow is proficient in materials laboratory procedures including optical microscopy, metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), and mechanical testing. He has technical training and teaching experience in mechanics, machining, and welding.

Education and Certifications

• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, M.S.: Illinois Institute of Tech. (1994)

• Metallurgical Engineering, B.S.: University of Illinois (1987)

• Industrial Technology, B.S.: Illinois State University (1979)

• Registered Professional Engineer: Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas

• Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator: National Association of Fire Investigators

• Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator: National Association of Fire Investigators

• Memberships: ASM International, Society of Automotive Engineers, ASTM, NACE