Professionals

James Flynn, BS, P.E.

EDUCATION:

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, May 1983
    California State University, Fresno
  • B.A. Biological Sciences, December 1976
    University of California, Berkeley

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Registered Professional Engineer, Mechanical, 1988, State of California
  • Registered Professional Engineer, Mechanical, 2005, State of Nevada
  • Registered Professional Engineer, Safety, 1989, State of California

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certified XL Tribometrist (CXLT)

SOCIETIES:

  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine
  • American Society of Safety Engineers
  • Society of Automotive Engineers
  • American Society of Testing and Materials
  • National Academy of Forensic Engineers
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

FORENSIC SPECIALIZATION:

  • Automobile Accident Reconstruction
  • Occupant Kinematics
  • Product Liability
  • Industrial Accident Analysis
  • Machine Guarding
  • Slip/Trip and Fall

EXPERT TESTIMONY:

Has qualified and testified as an expert witness in Federal, State and Municipal Courts.

EXPERIENCE:

J2 ENGINEERING, INC.
July 1993 to Present

Owner and Principal Engineer – Position as a Mechanical and Safety Engineer with emphasis on vehicular accident reconstruction, industrial accident analysis, mechanical and structural failure analysis, along with product liability and slip/trip and fall investigations. Involved in collection and analysis of field data, production of final written report and expert witness testimony.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
July 1998 to Present

Collaborative Researcher – Conduct research in the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory in the area of slip and fall dynamics. The research involves the investigation of the relationships between differing aspects of human gait and slip mechanics. The research also includes the analysis of tribometer (slip meter) performance.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
February 1994 to September 1998

Expert Examiner – Assisted in writing of the California State Professional Safety Engineering examination.

THE MOMENTUM GROUP, INC.
June 1991 to January 1994

Consulting Engineer – Partner and Mechanical Engineer in an engineering group which provided consulting services in the areas of mechanical, electro-mechanical and control system design. Took client concepts from the design stage through to the production of the final prototype.

BLAIR, CHURCH AND FLYNN CONSULTING ENGINEERS
November 1985 to July 1993

Consulting Engineer – Position as a Mechanical and Safety Engineer with emphasis on vehicular accident reconstruction, industrial accident analysis, mechanical and structural failure analysis, along with product liability and slip/trip and fall investigations. Involved in collection and analysis of field data, production of final written report and expert witness testimony.

GUARDIAN INDUSTRIES, CORPORATION
July 1983 to November 1985

Project Engineer – Responsible for maintenance and engineering in the "hot end" of a plate glass manufacturing facility. The "hot end" consists of the furnace, batch house, tin bath, and annealing lehr. Engineering projects included the modification of old equipment and the design, testing, and installation of new equipment. Scope of design work ranged from simple mechanical elements to complex systems. Also responsible for maintenance of the forklift fleet and plant compliance with Federal, State, and County toxic waste, air, and water pollution control regulations.

CETUS CORPORATION
June 1979 to August 1980

Research Biologist – Worked in an assay group using classical and recombinant genetic techniques to improve client bacterial strains.

BLUE SHIELD OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
April 1978 to June 1979

Communications Representative – Position re­quired written communication with medical providers in response to inquiries regarding interpretation of California State Medi-Cal regulations.

THE ORCHID LAB
April 1975 to April 1978

Lab Technician – Responsible for all phases of orchid culture from receipt of seed pod to shipment of immature plant to client. Responsibilities included the production and quality control of specialized media designed to stimulate germination of seed.

PATENTS:

Baseball Pitching Device
U.S. Patent No. 6,237,583
May 29, 2001

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Siegmund GP, Flynn JE, Mang DW, Chimch DD, Gardiner J, Utilized Friction when Entering and Exiting a Dry and Wet Bathtub. Gait and Posture 2010; 31:479-482.
  • Powers CM, Blanchette MG, Brault JR, Flynn JE, Siegmund GP, Validation of Walkway Tribometers: Establishing a Reference Standard. Journal of Forensic Sciences; Vol. 55, No. 2, March 2010.
  • Powers CM, Stefanou MA, Tsai Y, Brault JR, Flynn JE, Siegmund GP, Assessment of Walkway Tribometer Readings in Evaluating Slip Resistance: A Gait Centered Approach. Journal of Forensic Sciences; Vol. 52, No. 2, March 2007.
  • Flynn JE, Harper S, Underwood HW, Buckert R, Parks P, Simulation of a Side Impact and Vehicle Rollover using EDVSM and EDSMAC4 within HVE. 2005 Engineering Dynamics White Paper, www.edccorp.com
  • Flynn, JE, Forensic Engineering Analysis of Taillight Filaments by Digital Photomicroscopy. Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers; Volume XXI, No. 2, December 2004.
  • Powers CM, Burnfield JM, Lim P, Brault JM, Flynn JE, Utilized Coefficient of Friction During Walking: Static Estimates Exceed Measured Values. Journal of Forensic Sciences; Volume 47, No. 6, 2002.
  • Burnfield JM, Lim P, Brault J, Flynn JE, Powers CM, Comparison of Utilized Coefficient of Friction Requirements Among Persons of Different Ages During Shod Walking at Different Speeds. Proceedings of the American Society of Testing and Materials Symposium on Metrology of Pedestrian Locomotion and Slip Resistance, June 2001.
  • Powers CM, Kulig K, Flynn JE, Brault JR, Repeatability and Bias of Two Walkway Safety Tribometers. Journal of Testing and Evaluation; November 1999.
  • Neptune JA, Flynn JE, A Method for Determining Crush Stiffness Coefficients From Offset Frontal and Side Crash Tests. SAE Paper No. 980024, International Congress and Exposition; Detroit, Michigan; February 1998.
  • Neptune JA, Flynn JE, Underwood HW, Chavez PA, Impact Analysis Based Upon The CRASH3 Damage Algorithm. SAE Paper No. 950358, International Congress and Exposition; Detroit, Michigan; February 1995.
  • Neptune JA, Flynn JE, Chavez PA, Underwood HW, Speed From Skids: A Modern Approach. SAE Paper No. 950354, International Congress and Exposition; Detroit, Michigan; February 1995.
  • Neptune JA, Flynn JE, A Method for Determining Accident Specific Crush Stiffness Coefficients. SAE Paper No. 940913, International Congress and Exposition; Detroit, Michigan; February 1994.
  • Neptune JA, Blair GY, Flynn JE, A Method for Quantifying Vehicle Crush Stiffness Coefficients. SAE Paper No. 920607, International Congress and Exposition; Detroit, Michigan; February 1992.

ABSTRACTS:

  • Flynn, JE. "Variability in the Measurements of the Slip Resistance of a Wetted Surface When Using a Single Variable Incidence Tribometer and Eight Different Neolite Test Feet," 2006 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences,.
  • Flynn JE, Medoff H, Brungraber R. "An examination of the performance of three tribometer types and an inclined ramp on the measurement of the slip resistance of five different wetted floor surfaces," 2001 Proceedings of the International Conference on Computer-Aided Ergonomics and Safety,
  • Burnfield JM, Flanagan S, Flynn JE, Brault JR, Powers CM. "Coefficient of Friction Requirements During Weight Acceptance and Push-Off During Periods of Ascending and Descending Stairs," 2001 Proceedings of the International Society of Biomechanics XVIIIth Congress
  • Flynn JE, Powers CM, Burnfield JM, Brault JR. "An Evaluation of the Reproducibility of Data Obtained From Two Types of Tribometers When Measuring the Slip Resistance of Walkway Surfaces," 2001 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
  • King MD, Flynn JE, Underwood HW, Harper S. "A Conservation of Angular Momentum Analysis Technique Using EDSMAC," 2001 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
  • Powers CM, Burnfield JM, Brault JR, Flynn JE. "Comparison of Coefficient of Friction During Gait to Standard Tribometry Measurements: Evaluation of Shod and Barefoot Conditions at Various Walking Speeds," NOIRS 2000, National Occupational Injury Research Symposium Proceedings.
  • Powers CM, Requejo P, Lim P, Flynn JE, Brault JR, Kulig K (2000). "Comparison of Coefficient of Friction Requirements During Gait to Standard Tribometry Measurements," 2000 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
  • Flynn JE, Underwood HW, Wilson J. "The Effectiveness of Differing Shoe Sole Materials in Providing Slip Resistance on Ice", 2000 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
  • Flynn JE, Neptune JA, Campbell H, Underwood H and Chavez P. "The Effect of the Use of Differing Sanding Pressures on the Measurement of the Coefficient of Friction When Using the Brungraber MK II Tribometer," 1997 Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

PRESENTATIONS:

  • Flynn JE, Post R, Mayda M, Revenaugh G. "Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Collision Analysis, Simulation and Animation." The Society of Forensic Scientists and Engineers, January 2007, Waikoloa, HI
  • Flynn JE, "Quantifying Vehicle Speed from Impact Damage and Post-Collision Travel," The Society of Forensic Scientists and Engineers, March 2006, Yosemite, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "History of ASTM Precision and Bias Testing of the Variable Incidence Tribometer and the Portable Inclinable Articulated Strut Tester," ASTM International, January 2006, Phoenix Arizona.
  • Flynn JE, Harper S, Underwood HW, Buckert R, Parks P. "Simulation of a Side Impact and Vehicle Rollover using EDVSM and EDSMAC4 within HVE," HVE White Paper Session, February 2005, Miami, FL.
  • Flynn JE, "Forensic Engineering Analysis of Taillight Filaments using Digital Photomicroscopy," National Academy of Forensic Engineers, July 2004, Honolulu, HI.
  • Flynn JE, Underwood HW, "Automobile Accident Reconstruction - An Overview", A seminar presented to Allstate Insurance Company, May 2004, Fresno, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Slip and Fall, Progress and Problems," The Society of Forensic Scientists and Engineers, March 2004, Yosemite, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Slip Biomechanics," ASTM International Symposium on the Biomechanics of Slips and Falls, June 2003, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "ANSI A1264.2 and the use of the VIT and PIAST Tribometers," The Society of Forensic Scientists and Engineers, March 2002, Yosemite, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Automobile Accident Reconstruction: Case Evaluation and Methods of Data Collection," Central Valley Adjuster’s Association, Fresno, CA, 2002.
  • Flynn JE, Medoff H, Brungraber R "An examination of the performance of three tribometer types and an inclined ramp on the measurement of the slip resistance of five different wetted floor surfaces," International Conference on Computer-Aided Ergonomics and Safety, August 2001, Maui, HI.
  • Flynn JE, "The Forensic Engineering Use of Current Tribometry Research in Slip and Fall Cases," National Academy of Forensic Engineers; January 2001, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Precision and Bias Testing of the English XL Variable Incidence Tribometer and the Brungraber Mark II Portable Inclinable Articulated Strut Tester," National Occupational Injury Research Symposium. October 2000, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • Flynn JE, "An Overview of Current Methods of Tribometric Analysis of Walkway Surfaces," The Society of Forensic Scientists and Engineers; March 2000, Yosemite, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Repeatability of Walkway Slip Resistance Testing Using Neolite® as the Test Foot Liner," American Society of Testing and Materials; June 1999, West Conshohocken, PA.
  • Flynn JE, "Results of Precision and Bias Testing of the English XL Tribometer," American Society of Testing and Materials; January 1999, Memphis, TN.
  • Flynn JE, "The Effect of the Use of Differing Sanding Protocols on Readings of Slip Resistance When Using the English XL and Brungraber MK II Tribometers," American Society of Testing and Materials, January 1997.
  • Flynn JE, Brault JR, Underwood HW, "Reconstruction and Biomechanics of Low Speed Rear End Automobile Collisions," A seminar presented to the California State Automobile Association; June, 1997, Fresno, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "An Analysis of Slip and Fall Accidents," American Society of Safety Engineers; June 1997, Fresno, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Automobile Accident Reconstruction and Occupant Kinematics," American Society of Safety Engineers; August, 1996, Fresno, CA.
  • Flynn JE, "Reconstruction of Motor Vehicle Accidents," American Society of Mechanical Engineers; November 1995, Fresno, CA.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

ASTM International
2010 to 2012 Chair of Committee F-13,
Pedestrian Walkway Safety and Footwear

2010 Engineering Sciences Section Moderator
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
Seattle, Washington

National Academy of Forensic Engineers
Member – Technical Review Committee
2006 to Present

  • Co-Chairman of a workshop testing the performance of several tribometer types when evaluating similar surfaces. The workshop was sponsored by, and conducted at, the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Southern California, November 2007, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Co-Chairman of a workshop testing the performance of several tribometer types when evaluating similar surfaces. The workshop was sponsored by, and conducted at, the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Southern California, January 2006, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Co-Chairman of a workshop testing the performance of several tribometer types when
  • Evaluating similar surfaces. The workshop was sponsored by, and conducted at, the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Southern California, June 2003, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Vice Chairman, ASTM International (ASTM), Committee F-13.40 Research Subcommittee. This section directs all ASTM research related to slip/trip fall analysis and walkway safety.
  • Member, Underwriter’s Laboratories Standards Technical Panel 410, Slip Resistance of
  • Floor Surface Materials.
  • Member, ASTM Committee F- 13, "Walkway Safety and Footwear." This Committee is responsible for developing approved methods and standards related to the measurement of walkway slip resistance.
  • Member, ASTM Committee D-21, "Polishes." This Committee is responsible for stimulation of research and the development of specifications and test methods relative to polishes.
  • ASTM Task Group Chairman, responsible for the development of methods of tribometer "test foot" preparation.
  • Chaired ASTM "Workshop on Precision and Bias Testing," June 1998, ASTM Headquarters, West Conshohocken, PA.
  • Chaired ASTM "Workshop on Test Foot Preparation," January, 1997, New Orleans, LA.
  • Chaired ASTM, "Workshop on Precision and Bias Testing," June 1997, ASTM Headquarters, West Conshohocken, PA.

MEETINGS SEMINARS

ASTM F-13 Committee Meetings:
2010

 San Antonio, TX
2009

 Atlanta, GA
2008

 West Conshohocken, PA
2008

 Tampa, FL
2007

 West Conshohocken, PA
2007

 Anaheim, CA
2006

 Los Angeles, CA
2006

 Phoenix, Arizona
2005

 West Conshohocken, PA
2005

 Atlanta, GA
2004

 West Conshohocken, PA
2004

 Tampa, FL
2003

 Los Angeles, CA
2003

 Albuquerque, NM
2002

 2002Dallas, TX
2002

 West Conshohocken, PA
2001

 2001Reno, NV
2001

 West Conshohocken, PA
2000

 New Orleans, LA
1999

 West Conshohocken, PA
1999

 Memphis, TN
1998

 West Conshohocken, PA
1998

 San Diego, CA
1997

 West Conshohocken, PA
1997

 New Orleans, LA
1996

 Orlando, FL
1996

 West Conshohocken, PA
1995

 Washington, DC
  • XIX Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference, June 2005, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • 2005 HVE Forum, Engineering Dynamics Corporation, February 2005, Coconut Grove, Florida
  • ASTM International Symposium on the Biomechanics of Slips and Falls, June 2003, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
  • Symposium on Metrology of Pedestrian Locomotion and Slip Resistance, American Society of Testing and Materials, 2001, West Conshohocken, PA
  • "Observational Gait Analysis and Pathological Mechanisms"; University of Southern California, Department of Biokinesiology, 2000, Los Angeles, CA.
  • "Anatomical Perspective on Lower Extremity Surgical Interventions", University of Southern California, Department of Biokinesiology; 2000, Los Angeles, CA.
  • NOIRS 2000, National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, the Symposium was sponsored by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety and the Centers for Disease Control, 2000, Pittsburgh, PA.
  • 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2000, San Diego, CA.
  • XIVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association, 2000, San Diego, CA
  • "Accidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention", University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 1999, La Jolla, CA.
  • International Conference on "The Biomechanics of Slips, Trips and Falls," National Institute for Standards and Technology, 1996, Washington, DC.
  • 58th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2006, Seattle, WA.
  • 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2001, Seattle, WA.
  • 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2000, Reno, NV.
  • 49th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1997, Seattle, WA.
  • 47th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1995, New York, NY.
  • Vetronix Crash Data Retrieval Training Seminar, 2000, Santa Barbara, CA
  • Society of Automotive Engineers Topical Technical Conference, Frontal Offset Crash Testing, 2000, New Orleans, LA
  • Society of Automotive Engineers Topical Technical Conference, Lower Extremity Injuries, 2000, New Orleans, LA
  • Society of Automotive Engineers Topical Technical Conference, Airbag Design and Performance, 1997, Costa Mesa, CA.
  • Society of Automotive Engineers Topical Technical Conference, Low Speed Rear End Impacts, 1996 Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
  • Society of Automotive Engineers Topical Technical Conference, Low Speed Rear End Automobile Collisions, 1994, Irvine, CA.
  • BH2VK Crash Testing Project, San Bernardino, CA, August 1992.
  • Engineering Dynamics Corporation, Computer Aided Accident Reconstruction, January 1989, Northridge, CA.