Scientific crash investigation has been a part of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety since its inception in 1936.  We are the only Top 10-ranked university to offer comprehensive on-ground and online traffic crash investigation and reconstruction continuing education courses. Our selection ranges from introductory investigation courses through advanced crash reconstruction electives. 

Access All Upcoming Crash & Reconstruction Course Sections

Crash Investigation & Reconstruction Core Sequence

officer kneeling to investigate crash and place evidence markersOur Core Sequence is the heart of our Traffic Crash Investigation & Reconstruction program. These authoritative classes are prerequisites for many of our elective courses. All six of these courses offer online formats that follow the same unsurpassed curriculum as their traditional on-ground counterparts.

 Learn More & Register for a Core Class


 

Elective Courses in Crash Investigation & Reconstruction

image shows outline of car in neon blueExpand your traffic crash investigation and reconstruction expertise with one of our elective courses, which range from CDR / EDR and sUAS classes through specialized, advanced reconstruction courses. 

NEW! We are now offering a Blended Learning format for our Crash Data Retrieval Systems Operator and Traffic Crash Reconstruction Update & Refresher courses. Click below to learn more!

 Browse Our Elective Crash Courses


 

Download Your 2025 / 26 Course Catalog

Have you downloaded your 2025 / 26 Course Catalog yet? Our PDF catalog offers detailed information on all of our course offerings that are schedule or may be scheduled for the 2025 / 26 academic year. From intro to advanced, all of our course descriptions are here. 

Download Now!


 

Search ACTAR-Accredited Courses

ActarcrashMore than 70% of NUCPS crash courses are approved by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) for ACTAR CEUs. 

 

 View ACTAR-Accredited Course List


 

NUCPS Crash Division News & Links

The 2025 Fricke Cooper Achievement Award Application Period Is Open

Apply for the 2025 Fricke Cooper Achievement Award by March 1, 2026! Click below to learn more about the requirements for this prestigious award and download an application.

Learn More about the Fricke Cooper Award

NUCPS Traffic Crash Reconstruction Professional Logo

Obtain your custom NUCPS Traffic Crash Reconstruction Professional email signature logo!  To qualify, you must have successfully completed the following five courses through Northwestern University Center for Public Safety: 

  • Crash Investigation 1;
  • Crash Investigation 2;
  • Vehicle Dynamics;
  • Traffic Crash Reconstruction 1; and 
  • Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2. 
We invite eligible students to download, complete, and submit the logo request form to obtain their Traffic Crash Reconstruction Professional logo.
Textbooks and templates

Crash Textbooks & Templates

Crash Investigation & Reconstruction Textbooks

Traffic Crash Investigation is included in the tuition for Crash Investigation 1, and  Traffic Crash Reconstruction is included in the tuition for Traffic Crash Reconstruction 1.  These titles are also available for purchase through higher education publisher Kendall Hunt. Please use the below links to purchase your textbooks:

Crash Templates

All of our crash templates are available online through the Northwestern University Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Use the magnifying glass icon at the top right to search for your product on the NU bookstore website. If you need help finding your template, please contact the Northwestern Barnes & Noble Bookstore at (847) 491-3991.

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