Steven Bailey
Qualifications
I am the founder and President of Tech Check, Inc. I have personally handled over 9,000 vehicle claims related to cause and origin analysis in my 30+ years of full time experience. As a specialist in everything related to automotive, trucking and heavy equipment systems, I have handled every kind and type of claim. I am degreed in Automotive Technology and was a Professor of Automotive Technology at Mount Wachusett College (in both the mid 1990’s and late 2000’s) where I taught engines, transmissions, suspension, steering, braking and electronic integration.
Steven Bailey: Areas of Expertise
- Cars, Trucks and Heavy Equipment
- Engines
- Transmissions
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Chassis
- Computers (ECM, PCU, EDR, etc…)
- Fire Causation
- Mechanical Failure Analysis
- Electronics Failure Analysis
- Evidence Collection
- Technical Documentation
Steven Bailey’s Background
Earlier in my career I was a mechanical / electrical vehicle inspector for the Extended Powertrain Warranty Contract Divisions of Chrysler, Mazda and Subaru. During the 1980’s – mid 1990’s I handled over 500 cause and origin investigations for these manufacturers, where a large portion of them were related to engine and transmission failures. In my career I have analyzed and written scientific reports on over 8,500 vehicles requiring failure analysis related to every type of insurance claim. Since most vehicle fires are caused by some form of electrical or mechanical malfunction or defect I am highly skilled at combining my knowledge of vehicle systems and NFPA 921 standards for fire investigations. I am also trained by the International Association of Arson Investigators, and use The Scientific Method to draw conclusions of my analysis.
Derek Couture
Qualifications
Derek Couture has extensive experience honed by years spent both diagnosing, analyzing and repairing modern cars, trucks and heavy equipment systems. He now utilizes his tremendous depth of knowledge and skill to collect and evaluate evidence related to a wide variety of insurance claims. As a polished and court qualified vehicle and heavy equipment systems expert he continually strives to further his knowledge in all facets of modern car, trucking and heavy equipment technologies. He is highly skilled at assisting insurance adjusters handling vehicle and equipment claims that require mechanical analysis, electrical analysis or fire causation techniques.
Derek Couture Areas of Expertise
- Cars, Trucks and Heavy Equipment
- Mechanical & Electronics Technician
- Engines
- Transmissions
- Suspension
- Steering
- Brakes
- Chassis
- Computers (ECM, PCU, EDR, etc…)
- Collision Repair Specialist
- Fire Causation
- Mechanical Failure Analysis
- Electronics Failure Analysis
- Evidence Collection
- Technical Documentation
Derek Couture’s Background
In 2003 I started my career in automotive at Terranova Auto Body in Ayer, MA. After climbing the company ladder years later I became the shop foreman. During that time I became a complete mechanical and body expert being able to take a vehicle from a border line total loss to perfectly restored. In 2009 I started D’s Auto in Leominster, MA, specializing in large and small repairs of cars and trucks. I specialized in engines, electrical, fuel management, transmissions, suspension, steering and braking systems.
In 2011 I had the opportunity to learn and work under world renown hot rod designer and builder Dave Simard of East Coast Custom in Leominster, MA. Building custom 1930’s world class hot rods for a legendary hot rod builder provided an opportunity to hone my skills as not only a mechanic but as an expert body man. I was pivotal in the design, engineering and building of a 1932 Ford Roadster for Pres. of Ford Motor Company, Europe Middle East and Africa, Jim Farley. In 2013 this car took second place in the prestigious AMBR (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster) for the NHRA (National Hot Rod Racers Association) in Pomona, California, which is the most prestigious competition in the world for roadsters.
Michael Conrad
Qualifications
Michael Conrad is degreed in Automotive Technology from Montgomery College in Maryland. He has a strong education in failure analysis of modern engines, transmissions, suspension, steering, braking and electronic systems. He has over 8 years as a field technician, and 12 years as a failure analyst for Kenworth. Currently, he has handled thousands of cases to perform cause and origin analysis whether the cause is related to manufacturing defects, improper repairs, normal wear or fraud. Mr. Conrad is a court qualified expert in the field of trucking and vehicle forensics and failure analysis. He is especially strong in identifying manufacturing defects. His unique blend of strong post-secondary education in vehicles, coupled with years of hands on experience, and over a decade as a manufacturers field analyst make him more qualified than 95% of this industry. He is well trained and experienced in all aspects of modern trucking systems and emerging technologies. His unique manufacturers experience brings additional insight into how Tech Check handles liability claims against manufacturers.

Allen Clarke
Qualifications
Allen Clarke is also degreed in Automotive Technology from Mount Wachusett College. He has a strong education in failure analysis of modern engines, transmissions, suspension, steering, braking and electronic systems. He also has over 10 years as a field technician diagnosing and repairing those systems before coming to Tech Check. Currently, he has handled over 500 cases where he performed cause and origin analysis. He has been able to identify and prove manufacturing defects, improper repairs, normal wear or fraud. Mr. Clarke is a court qualified expert in the field of automotive forensics and failure analysis. His unique blend of strong post-secondary education in the technology and failure analysis techniques of modern car and trucking systems, coupled with a decade of hands on experience make him more qualified than 90% of this industry. He is well trained and experienced in all aspects of “Black Boxes” (Event Data Recorders), Air Bags, Supplemental Restraint Systems, electric vehicles, and hybrid powertrains.
