Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 1996
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1982
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1980
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Alaska, #162562
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, California, #23209
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, Washington, #24845
  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
  • Certified Fire Investigator (CFI)
  • Certified Forklift Operator (CFO)
  • Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
  • National High-Performance Driving Instructor
Academic Appointments
  • Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Washington Department of Mechanical Engineering, 1996-present
Professional Honors
  • Affiliate Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington
Professional Affiliations
  • Society of Automotive Engineers
  • SAE ABA Fire Safety Committee member and peer reviewer
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • National Fire Protection Association
  • International Association of Arson Investigators
  • National Association of Fire Investigators
  • International Code Council

For over 39 years, Dr. Scheibe has used his mechanical engineering background to investigate, reconstruct, analyze, and determine the cause for accidents, component failures, and fires involving industrial machinery, vehicles, heavy equipment, tools, appliances, recreational equipment, and consumer products. He specializes in the engineering analysis of product safety and performance from the standpoint of design, operation, manufacture, assembly, maintenance, instruction, guarding, and warning. 

Dr. Scheibe has evaluated machinery operation in numerous industries including power generation, transportation, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, chemical processing, marine, and mining, for concerns that include machine design, hydraulics, lubrication, vibration, power transmission, materials handling, and occupational safety.

Dr. Scheibe specializes in structural and vehicle fire and explosion origin and cause determination, and has conducted research, performed numerous investigations, published papers, and taught courses on vehicle fire investigation to industry engineers in the US and abroad. With a background in vehicle dynamics, design, and mechanics, he has also performed extensive research on commercial vehicle braking systems and specializes in the analysis, testing, and performance evaluation of vehicles and component systems that include brakes, steering, drivetrain, and suspension.

As a seasoned field investigator, Dr. Scheibe has been principally involved in a broad range of matters, from minimal premises liability issues to large recall investigations and other complex-loss investigations following significant disaster events including crane collapses, explosions, and multi-vehicle collisions. He regularly assembles a multidisciplinary team to address technical issues that serve the best needs of the client and situation.