Monday, May 23, 2016

Structual Condition Assessment Handbook and Forensic Science

It occurred to me recently that many people are confused about what a "Forensic Geologist" is and why I call myself that.  For 25 years prior to being the television host of America Unearthed I ran a materials forensic laboratory as a licensed professional geologist (Minnesota License #30024).  In January of 1990, I founded America Petrographic Services, Inc., after working as a concrete petrographer for five years prior to that, and still operate the company as it's President.  As I've explained many times in my lectures, or when asked what I do for a living, my response is, "I perform autopsies of concrete and rock."  This is a pretty accurate way to describe the work I do which is primarily using laboratory analysis and testing to determine the cause of concrete failures and poor performance.  Because of the vast number (several thousand projects) and variety of concrete and rock problems I have investigated over the past 31 years, it has resulted in my being considered one of the world's experts in material forensic science. 

This experience and notoriety in the construction industry is why American Petrographic Services Inc., was assigned to perform all the forensic analysis work on the fire damaged concrete at the Pentagon after 9-11.  It was truly an honor to be involved that work which will likely define my legacy more else I have done or ever might do.

In the late 1990's I was approached by the lead editor for a book project, Robert Ratay, to write the chapter about concrete for a book published in 2005 titled, Structural Condition Assessment Handbook.  Bob had a lot of people he could have asked to write that chapter and it was an honor and a privilege to be selected.  For those interested in learning more about the process of forensic investigation I encourage you to read the chapter I wrote in this book.  Keep in mind the process of investigation into the Kensington Rune Stone, and other mysterious artifacts and sites, is no different than process of investigating problems with concrete, mortar, rock etc.  You can read more about the book at the following link.

http://www.amazon.com/Structural-Condition-Assessment-Robert-Ratay/dp/0471647195/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464020659&sr=1-1-fkmr3&keywords=Structural+Condition+Assessment+Handbook+by+Robert+Ratay  

35 comments:

  1. Interesting blog. You gave even more pieces of info to the whole story. First read it here and never knew your background on this. Here is another article that talked about your work. Was what got my interest, I just never knew! https://historyheretic.org/2016/05/23/forensics-new-frontier-for-history-hunting/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jacob,

      That's a really helpful link that explains the work I do very well. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

      Delete
  2. Where can I find your report of the forensic analysis of all the concrete fire damage at the Pentagon from 9/11. I want to be a forensic geologist too. You are a hero for that!
    ~Wendy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy,

      Unfortunately, all the reports (there were dozens of them) are classified as our client was the United States government. However, we did publish a brief synopsis of the work in our company newsletter several years ago. I'll track down a copy of that and try to post a link to it.

      I also give lectures about the work we did at the Pentagon and that includes photos from first responders that clearly show parts of the plane that I was unable to share for five years after the attack.

      Delete
    2. I'm looking for the link to yoyr newsletter regarding the Pentagon. Short of the reports, please fill us in on your findings. I'm unable to find them anywhere.

      Thanks in advance.

      Delete
  3. Scott, I'm upset that America Unearthed will not continue. Can I expect to see you on TV in the near future on any channel?
    -Seb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seb,

      Much to the chagrin of the skeptics and trolls we are far from done with our work being featured on television. We are currently working on a new venture called Xplrr that will allow us to control our own destiny and make productions better than before.

      I'm very proud of the work we did in the three seasons of America Unearthed. We were the number one show on H2 and finished on top with our two final shows being the highest rated for all three seasons. The show was never canceled, History sold H2 and put us on hold. Regular History has a different audience and it really wasn't a good fit for America Unearthed.

      We had another season of shows all teed up, but such is the way things go in the business world. It was 100% a financial business decision. However, I learned a long time ago when one door closes another opens elsewhere.

      That door has already opened with Xplrr and we've marched right through it! Stay tuned for future announcements.

      Delete
  4. Didn't your new XplrR partner recently try to pass off a souvenir sword as being a relic from ancient Rome? What is your position on that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      First, I have not read anything other than cursory information about the sword. Therefore, I cannot weigh in intelligently one way or the other. However, I don't give either side of the argument any credibility until it can be definitively established the artifact has a clean chain of custody and provenance. Until that happens, opinions expressed either way are meaningless.

      As a side note, the tone of your comment suggests a less than objective mindset. Can you please identify yourself in future comments?

      Delete
    2. I'm your conscience.

      Delete
    3. Harold,

      It's amazing the information forensics on IP addresses can shed isn't it? My conscience? That's a pretty bold statement considering you don't have one. You are nothing more than an arrogant fool with a twisted and sanctimonious sense of self. Apparently, you have nothing better to do with your time than troll a former colleague you can't help but obsess over.

      I look forward to seeing you again so I can deliver you an important message... Maybe at the Fringe Festival sometime? ;-)

      Delete
    4. Wow. Outing an anonymous blog visitor by tracking his IP address?! Then you've know all along that the Joe Scales who has responded in past blogs is NOT Richard Nielsen, but you've mislead your followers anyway. I wonder what this might mean about some of the other things you've asked us to believe....

      Bart

      Delete
    5. Bart,

      Actually, only recently was I able to confirm the identity of "Mr. Scales." Due to confidentiality reasons I can't discuss the details behind his creepy, obsessive behavior, but if you've read this blog you've seen plenty of examples of his cyber stalking. Most of his nastiest comments were never posted and I'm sure if you knew the whole story you'd be as disgusted as I am.

      I also have reason to believe "Joe" has been in contact with Nielsen and Williams on a different blog to coordinate their attacks on my research which in the end resulted in their committing academic fraud.

      I haven't misled anybody, it is those who post comments as "Anonymous" or under a fake name that intentionally deceive. If you want to make accusations and question others, the least you can do is use your real name instead of hiding in the shadows behind a keyboard throwing darts like a coward.

      You are free to believe whatever you want. What I share here, in my papers and in my books are what I have concluded is the truth based on my interpretation of the facts.

      I'm all done with the sick and creepy behavior of the likes of "Joe Scales." Either put your name behind your comments or crawl back into the basement and troll elsewhere.

      Delete
    6. Scott Wolter, formerly known as a forensic geologist, now also known as a forensic IP sleuth!

      Nice work, Scott. What you did was long overdue.

      Patrick S.

      Delete
  5. Happy to see you mention your many decades of experience.
    Your America Unearthed 'brand' should be continued in whatever media is available.
    That show was the ONLY program which 4 generations of my family anticipated, watched and discussed.

    There is a huge market for this and I hope you will continue it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Mound,

      I never felt the need to talk about my past work or accomplishments as I just assumed people would take what I say at face value. However, I quickly learned there are many out there who don't accept the word of anyone who supports things they don't want to believe in. They will incessantly criticize and attack hoping to further their own agenda. I'm proud of the work I've done both in the professional world and with the historical research. I thought it would be helpful for people to know about some of the things I do in my work life.

      I totally agree there is an appetite for America Unearthed type programming and that is exactly what Hutton and I plan on bringing in our new venture with XplrR. Thanks for your past support and stay tuned for more good stuff.

      Delete
  6. Going down the right path of "information" disbursement. I really like to idea of combined forces. The momentum just took a long time. I think people have put 2&2 together and when the detractors provide no new information that contradicts what you have presented, they lose. This is an "information" predicament and when they (above mentioned people) spend their whole time shooting the messenger, eventually somebody is going to ask "why"......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dave,

      The detractors that troll here offering nothing but negativity and harassment are simply lazy. It takes hard work to research these mysteries. I've been very fortunate, and much of my success was due to other very bright researchers sharing their knowledge while working together. It's that kind of open-minded collaboration that leads to progress and important discoveries.

      The main internet debunker of my work is simply trying to make a name for himself by being negative about everything regardless how valid or mundane a point might be. It's all about driving traffic to a site. Because it's not serious inquiry or legitimate review I don't take any of the attacks seriously because it's all a big marketing game.

      That is the answer to your question of "why?"

      Delete
  7. "Why does Scott need to post his professional career"..Its already out there. Since he is "in private enterprises", funded by the rules of "business" (academics probably have no idea what the work "bankrupt" means), he doesn't have to share anything.

    But I would suggest that posters do check out the "professional" journals, etc., for their information. I think people will find the rules are very different then publishing in, what I deem as "closed market" publications, ie, academic journals. For example, this is one publication that one company I worked for had....enjoy

    http://www.concreteconstruction.net/magazine/

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mindy McCarthy,

    I'm not going to bother posting either of Mr. Edwards' negative comments published elsewhere as it's a waste of the readers of this blog's time. Edwards is a failed academic who has an 13 year-old axe to grind against me. His geological opinions on the Kensington Rune Stone are flawed to say the least. He, like Richard Nielsen and Henrik Williams are driven to try and put down the KRS by personal issues and not legitimate scientific inquiry. Edwards' claims he's going to write a paper about what he says he observed on the KRS 15 years ago. I've written several papers and three books on my research in that time. If he had anything meaningful to contribute he would have done it by now.

    Let's let these three sad souls fade into the sunset and move on with more positive commentary. The readers of this blog will no longer have to endure comments from "Joe Scales" or Mr. Edwards ever again.

    I appreciate your support Mindy, but I'm not going to dignify this man's disgusting comments with a response.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Mr. Wolter, I was cheking in Google Maps sites neir my city looking for strange or odd places and I found in this coordinates two structures that resembles solar markers, (please check the pictures that appearce on the site) and I want to know your opinion about it. Thank you for your attention.
    I am your truly follower and believer.
    Thanks.
    Coordinates: 32°37'41.5"N 116°04'52.9"W

    Pd(Mi father is the person that finds this structures)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cristina,

      I plugged in those coordinates and see that it lies right on the Mexico-U.S. border. I was unable to see the structures you mention, but I suspect they are in the desert areas and were likely used for astronomical purposes, perhaps as part of Native rituals.

      I'm also guessing they have been there for an awfully long time!

      Delete
    2. I am sending you two pictures in reference of the Google maps site that I ask you to check, the first one is the stone that I believe is a solar marker of a kind, even that it looks like a menhir, it has very interesting features on it and in the surroundings like the three holes on its side, carve on an angle, the rocks in the background where the shadow of the stone is projecting and the hole in the rock on the left that’s look like a mortero hole, that Indians use for grinding seeds, the second picture shows the position of the marker on level ground of what I call the sun stone , but on the right side of it I see what’s look like a platform made of stones that resembles a Inca wall and on a side another sunstone. I might seeing things but your opinion it’s very important to me, I want you to remember that I use this pictures from the Google maps application and that I don’t own them. Thank you for your patience.

      http://imgur.com/a/i2IMu

      Delete
  10. This article was brought to my attention by a friend. I found it incredibly interesting! It really highlights the dynamics of Sweden and how the political system has spent the past nearly 100 years trying to eradicate anything that doesn't fit in with the government'should agenda.it also highlights the fact that languages, both written and spoken, evolve over time.

    https://redice.tv/news/isolated-people-in-sweden-used-runes-up-until-1900-still-speak-old-norse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. InvisibleJenn,

      This is exactly what I've been trying to articulate (not very well apparently) for a long time; that there is essentially a government mandate in Sweden that the Kensington Rune Stone is a hoax. This partly explained the non-scientific and as evidenced most recently, nonsensical behavior of scholars like Swedish professor Henrik Williams, who resorted to academic fraud to maintain the Swedish paradigm regarding the Kensington Rune Stone.

      As many who have followed this blog can attest, the negative reactive to the voluminous factual evidence, presented by myself and others over the past few years, that is consistent with the authenticity of the KRS has reached the level of religious fanaticism. Some people's beliefs, although Williams knows the KRS is genuine, have clouded their judgment to the point where they behave irrationally.

      Recently, Sweden and the University of the Minnesota, supported the lecture tour of an academic who wrote a book that brings absolutely nothing of tangible value to the KRS discussion, yet a platform for this uninformed "scholar" to offer his unsupported negative opinion to a wide audience in Minnesota. The question is why? The answer appears to be to further the mandate set by Sweden and academia here in the U.S.

      It's time to hold both parties accountable and let the factual evidence speak instead of people with miss-guided political agendas.

      Delete
    2. Yeah, I've been following your blog for quite a while! That's why I found this article so interesting and wanted to share it here. It perfectly backs up everything you've said about the issues Sweden has when it comes to truthful academia. Just imagine that if they are so suppressive of the runes and languages in their own country then how much have they hidden and suppressed of the archeological discoveries around the world to maintain their government stances. With totalitarian governments like that, knowledge is a great and powerful enemy!

      Delete
    3. InvisibleJenn,

      Since you have been on this blog for a long time which I greatly appreciate, you know the habits of the anonymous skeptics who will be absolutely silent about an article like this that they can't assail. However, when anything positive comes forward that supports any of the ideas I put forth they go into attack mode.

      Sometimes I'm amazed at how backwards and behind certain branches of academia really are when it comes to determining historical truths when it really isn't that difficult if they simply followed proper scientific method.

      Delete
  11. Scott Wolter,

    Thank you for your show America Unearthed. I am a teacher in Texas and brought your show into the classroom occasionally in hopes to encourage my students to open their minds and think outside of the textbook. They loved it.

    Also, I just recently viewed the episode about the Dare Stones and was just horrified to think that the natives could possibly have stalked the Jamestown settlers over hundred of miles in order to annihilate them. It definitely is very different than the what we were taught as children about early colonists/Native American relations!


    Thank you again for your series, your expertise, and for opening our minds. I wish you the best of luck.

    Sincerely,
    Angie Russell
    Whitehouse, Texas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angie,

      Thank you so much for the kind words. We had a great run with the show and received overwhelming support from the public who collectively said they want more. That is why I have partnered with Hutton Pulitzer to start a new company called XplrR (Explorer). We will produce programming that is interactive and will dig much digger than we were able to do on network television.

      As far as the "Lost Colony" goes, I'm quite sure there is more to the story about the interaction between the colonists and the indigenous tribes. Keep in mind the colonists were looked upon as invaders who often didn't exactly conduct themselves as good neighbors. We'll likely never know the whole story, but we need to remember there are two sides to this one as well.

      Stay tuned.

      Delete
  12. Honestly, nothing about pigeon eggs or omelettes?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dan,

      Were you trying to make a point or did you hit the 'publish' button prematurely? I don't think you are really being "honest" with this comment are you?

      Delete
  13. Hi scott, how can we make contact with you about a previous research piece?

    We are based in the Uk.

    Many thanks,

    Martin

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello Scott,
    May we know the name of the government agency that hired you to analyze the Pentagon concrete? If necessary I will go through the declassification process. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kawika,

      If you're worthy of knowing, you'll figure it out on your own.

      Delete