Forensic engineering is the investigation of materials, products, structures or components that fail or do not operate/function as intended. A criminal aspect is possible in any investigation but is not always the case; civil cases are much more common. Generally the purpose of a forensic engineering investigation is to locate cause or causes of failure with a view to improve performance or life of a component. It can also involve investigation of intellectual property claims, especially patents. Methods used in forensic investigations include reverse engineering, inspection of witness statements, a working knowledge of current standards, as well as examination of the failed component itself. The fracture surface of a failed product can reveal much information on how the item failed and the loading pattern prior to failure.