Industry-Leading Firearm Forensics and Analysis
At Kent Engineering, our multidisciplinary team of engineers and project managers have extensive experience analyzing and determining the root cause of incidents pertaining to firearms. We collaborate across multiple disciplines, to ensure that we provide our clients with the most accurate answers to their problem. Using sound technical methodology coupled with our materials testing and forensic laboratory we can offer our clients a full range of solutions. Our experts are regularly retained to determine the root cause of a failure, whether it be related to design, specification, performance, or manufacturing. With a robust materials and forensic laboratory at our fingertips, our firearm inspections go into far greater detail than a traditional gunsmith.
About Us
Our team is our advantage. Our support team of expert mechanical, structural, materials, metallurgical, corrosion, welding engineers, architects and technicians sets us apart. We pride ourselves on effective communication, and we work closely with our clients every step of the way to ensure they are fully satisfied with the answers and solutions we provide.
Our Capabilities
- Optical and digital microscopes
- Scanning Electron Microscope
- Material Composition: Electron Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS)
- Material Composition: Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy (ICP)
- Metallography
- Material Properties
- Functional/Operational Testing (Simulation, Live Fire)
- Custom Design and Parts Fabrication (3-axis Mill, 3D Printing)
- Prototypes
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Type 07 FFL Holder
- Non-Destructive Testing (Ultrasonic, Magnetic Particle, Dye Penetrant)
- Trigger Testing
- Accident Reconstruction
Experts and Associates
Founder and principal of Kent Engineering, Randy Kent is a Registered Professional Engineer with over 37 years of experience in failure analysis and mechanical engineering forensics. Randy holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in in metallurgical engineering, both from the University of Washington.
Cody Hoover has over 18 years of DoD nuclear field experience. He holds a BS in Nuclear Engineering. As a U.S Navy veteran, he also has several training and certifications surrounding naval leadership and naval nuclear training. He also boasts an EPA Universal Technician Certification which allows Cody to work with both small and large appliances such as motor vehicle air conditioner (MVAC) and HVAC appliances.
Pursuing the Truth Through Forensics and Litigation Support since 1983!
Serving Clients Across a Variety of Industries
At Kent Engineering, we provide engineering investigation and failure analysis services across a variety of industries, including legal, insurance, manufacturing, transportation, multi-family and commercial buildings, plumbing, and food processing.
Our staff of engineers and technicians lend their range of specialties and deep expertise to each industry, identifying and analyzing failures in order to help represent our clients well and help build new, better, more efficient, and safer systems.
News and Insights
Follow our latest news and thoughts which focuses exclusively on
our insights, events, and industry trends
- Randy Kent, MS, P.E.
- October 2024
- Resource Article
Are you responsible for juggling the current working condition of your property, including capital budgets, all while trying to predict when the next colossal building systems failure is going to rear its ugly head?
- Bradley Capatch, P.E.
- July 2021
- Case Study
This case study is on the evaluation of the type of degradation in the pipes and fittings for a condominium in Seattle, Washington.
- Michael Leach, MS, P.E.
- July 2021
- Case Study
In this case study, a concrete construction service hired Kent Engineering (KE) to design and load test concrete washout pans.
- Michael Leach, MS, P.E.
- July 2021
- Case Study
A welding company contacted Kent Engineering (KE) to perform testing for a new Welding Procedure Specification (WPS).
- Randy Kent, MS, P.E.
- June 2020
- Case Study
Our case study involves forensics and litigation support through an independent analysis of the failed saddle adaptor for a lifting-jack.