Appeal to physics, computer sci departments

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is known for its exacting approach to the physical sciences.

Yet, its report on the World Trade Center collapses has drawn fire as an attempt to get computer simulations to work as desired by an unreasonable tweaking of initial conditions.

Is the NIST report credible, or is it in actuality a political document with little scientific basis?

An excellent exercise for students and professors in physics and computer science departments would be to read, with careful note-taking, the NIST's main report and all the various back-up reports.
Also, those whose interest is in detection of scientific fraud are strongly encouraged to read the material.