On 17 October 2019, Colonel Danie Poolman presented a talk titled “Forensic Engineering Case Studies” as a joint initiative of the Metallurgical and Mining Engineering Departments in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. Colonel Danie Poolman is an Alumnus of the Metallurgical Engineering Department and the Head of the South African Police Service: Forensic Science Laboratory: Forensic Engineering Section with 26 years’ experience in forensic case-work.
His most recent high-profile investigations included the Jason Rohde murder trial as well as the Oscar Pretorius ballistics reconstruction.

The cases discussed were mainly associated with Metallurgical and Mechanical Failures and the assistance that engineering principles have in the solving of crime scenes. Four cases were discussed in the talk, which highlighted the role of engineering principles in the solving of crime scenes.

The presentation was well attended by students and professional members of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.