Crash Investigation Training

 

Courses Offered

1. Introduction to Crash Investigation (2-days)

2. Conducting the Scene Investigation (3-days)

3. Technical Vehicle Inspection (2-days)

4. Scale Diagramming (2-days)

5. Fatality Crash Investigation (2-days)

6. Pedestrian Crash Investigation (2 days)

7. Commercial Vehicle Crash Investigation (2-days)

8. Crash Photography I (1-day)

9. Crash Photography II (2-days*)

 

Course Descriptions
1. Introduction to Crash Investigation (2-days)
This course begins the investigation process and is designed for officers who have completed their academy training and just beginning their specialized training process. Emphasis will be on collision terminology, scene management, scene documentation and preservation, interviewing techniques and creating good quality field notes.

 

2. Conducting the Scene Investigation (3-days)
Observing and documenting evidence at a scene is critical in the investigation process. Emphasis of this course is educating the officer to the different types of evidence found at a crash scene and how it relates to the crash. Techniques in mapping and measuring is taught and field projects are part of the normal curriculum. Participants will be required to measure crash scenes. The Traffic Institute's traffic template will be provided. Each participant should have with them: 100-foot, or longer, tape measure, role-a-wheel, string, yard stick or carpenter's rule, marking crayons and/or paint and appropriate clothing for weather conditions. A mechanical pencil, eraser and compass is very beneficial. Completion of the Introduction to Crash Investigation is a pre-requisite for attendance of this class.

 

3. Technical Vehicle Inspection (2-days)
Analyzing the damages to the vehicle involved is crucial in understanding how the vehicles came together. This course deals with the vehicle inspection process, a vehicle’s behavior during a collision and the analysis of the vehicles’ equipment, ( i.e. lamps, tires, brakes, etc.). Field projects and salvage yard inspections are part of the normal curriculum. Each participant is required to have with them: the Traffic Institute's traffic template or equivalent, appropriate clothing for weather conditions and vehicle inspection and measuring equipment: 100-foot,25-foot tape measure, role-a-wheel, string, yard stick or carpenter's rule, marking crayons and/or paint and concrete nails and hammer. A mechanical pencil and eraser will prove very beneficial.

Completion of the Introduction to Crash Investigation and Conducting the Scene Investigation, or Crash I equivalent, is pre-requisite for attendance.

 

4. Scale Diagramming (2-days)
This course reviews the mapping and measuring procedures and helps the officer in creating a neat and thorough scaled scene diagram as well as detailed damage profiles of the vehicles involved. These drawings are used as court exhibits in a criminal trial or can be used to assist the investigator in speed determinations. Each officer will draw crash scenes using the Traffic Institute’s Traffic Template. Field projects are part of the normal curriculum. An overview of the computer programs available to law enforcement will also be presented. Completion of the Introduction to Crash Investigation and Conducting the Scene Investigation, or Crash I equivalent, is pre-requisite for attendance. The Technical Vehicle Inspection course would be beneficial, also.

 

5. Fatality Crash Investigation (2-days)
This course will introduce a new "standardized investigative checklist" and review the scene management and documentation procedures, interview techniques, and the "team" concept for all phases of the investigation. It will also focus on a proper presentation of data to the prosecutor’s office as well as trial preparation and testimony for the police officer. Emphasis will also be placed on the report writing format.

Each officer will receive a packet containing a written policy and a crash investigation manual. This policy and procedure can easily be incorporated into any department’s Standard Operating Procedure. The manual will include a step-by-step procedure for completing a thorough investigation and blank forms to document the crash investigation.

Prior completion of At-Scene(Crash I), Introduction to Crash Investigation , Technical Vehicle Inspection (Crash II) course or equivalent would be beneficial.

 

6. Pedestrian Crash Investigation (2 days)
This two-day course will cover all aspects of crashes involving vehicle and pedestrians. The course will review basic crash investigation techniques, the technical investigation process and pedestrian movements throughout the collision events. Numerous speed formulas will be presented. Participants in the class should have with them: The Traffic Institute's traffic template, scientific calculator) and a mechanical pencil. The Norm Johnson and IPTM templates may also be beneficial.

 Completion of the Introduction to Crash Investigation and Conducting the Scene Investigation, or Crash I equivalent, is pre-requisite for attendance. The Technical Vehicle Inspection course or Crash II equivalent would be beneficial, also.

 

7. Commercial Vehicle Crash Investigation (2-days)
This course will deal primarily with tractor/semi-trailer rigs. The course will review basic crash investigation techniques, the technical investigation process and vehicle dynamics as it relates to semi rigs. The emphasis will be on the technical inspection of the tractor/trailer rig and focus heavily on the air brake system. An overview of the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations will also be presented. Participants in the class should have with them: The Traffic Institute's traffic template, scientific calculator and a mechanical pencil. The Norm Johnson and IPTM templates may also be beneficial.

Completion of the Introduction to Crash Investigation and Conducting the Scene Investigation, or Crash I equivalent, is pre-requisite for attendance. The Technical Vehicle Inspection course or Crash II equivalent would be beneficial, also.

 

8. Crash Photography I (1-day)
This one-day photography course will cover procedures and techniques for proper crash photography and the different types of equipment available to law enforcement today(including digital) . Emphasis will be placed on composition for proper documentation of evidence. The use of photographs for follow-up investigative procedures and prosecution will also be presented.

 

9. Crash Photography II (2-days*)
This two-day photography course will review the equipment, procedure and techniques for proper crash photography. This is a "getting to know your camera" class as well as a technical review of photography principles. A nighttime and day-time field project is part of the normal curriculum. Each officer must bring with him a camera, flash and two color, 24-exposure rolls of film. A digital camera may also be used, if the department owns one. A flashlight and reflective vest would also be recommended for the nighttime photo session.

Due to the nighttime project in this course, the first day begins at1:00 PM and will end approximately at 9:00 PM The second day will begin promptly at 8:30 AM.