An Unlicensed Engineer for Constructing Engineers - Case Study Example

It is evidently clear from the discussion that Charles Landers, unlicensed engineer for constructing engineers forged his partner Henry Wilson’s signature and used his professional seal on at least 40 documents. The falsified documents certified to the Anchorage City Health Department that local septic systems met all city wastewater disposal regulations. No violations of standards except for the forgery and misuse of the seal were reported. The circuit judge Michael Wolverton in his judgment banned Landers for one year from practicing as an engineer’s assistant.

Furthermore, he sentenced him to 20 days in jail, 160 hours of community service, $4000 in fines and a year of probation. The judge cited that Landers’ actions constituted a breach of public trust as the public relies on the word of professional engineers to ensure the safety of systems. The first important element is that of forgery of signatures and unauthorized use of an engineer’s seal. This is not only wrong in engineering but also in other professions where specialized professionals are required to provide their expertise on an issue.

This can lead to a destruction of property, loss of lives and reputational damage to the profession among others. The second element is the aspect of canvassing and behaving like a competent engineer while in the real sense one is not. This amounts to deceiving the public for purposes of individual gains, which is unethical as this could still have far-reaching consequences because a violation of standards may be experienced. The third element concerns relationship with fellow engineers such that they are supposed to respect one another in the provision of their services.

The relationship is important for personal and also for professional growth.