Crash Investigation & Reconstruction
Northwestern University Center for Public Safety offers the most respected series of crash investigation and reconstruction courses available for aspiring and experienced professionals. Our five-course sequence begins with an immersive introduction of essential investigative techniques, advances through key concepts, and concludes with case-study-driven reconstruction practice. Each course is a prerequisite for the next in the series and builds upon knowledge gained in the previous class. This sequence is a prerequisite for many of our advanced reconstruction courses.
Crash investigators must work quickly and confidently to preserve significant physical results before the crash scene is altered or evidence disappears. They must anticipate what information will be needed for
enforcing traffic laws, planning crash prevention programs and possible case litigation. In addition, they must properly document the at-scene information and evidence because once the scene is cleared, the
evidence might be impossible to recover.
Crash Investigation 1, based on J. Stannard Baker and Lynn Fricke’s classic text, Traffic Crash Investigation, is an in-depth study of the skills needed to systematically investigate a traffic crash. Students learn techniques for recognizing and properly recording roadway and vehicle crash evidence, measuring and photographing of crash scene, and creating sketches and after-crash diagrams. The course introduces
students to the use of electronic devices to collect and record at-scene data (EDR) and addresses how collected data are used to reconstruct crashes.
At-scene traffic crash data collection is useful only if all appropriate information is collected and properly interpreted and analyzed. Participation in Crash Investigation 2 enhances the capability and
credibility of the at-scene investigator.
Officers and investigators who successfully complete Crash
Investigation 2 develop skills in technically preparing crash
investigation data, report writing, and collecting follow-up data required
by prosecutors, defense attorneys, claim adjusters, fleet
supervisors, reconstructionists, and highway safety engineers.
Crash Investigation 2 builds upon topics examined in Crash Investigation 1 and provides students with greater knowledge of the information available at the crash scene and how to properly collect and initiate interpretation of that information. Like Crash Investigation 1, the course is rooted in Traffic Crash Investigation and emphasizes vehicle behavior in crashes, vehicle damage analysis, report writing, advanced mapping and evidence location skills, and properly downloading and preserving digital evidence from collision investigations.
Instructors demonstrate use of such emerging technologies as mapping scenes and recording videos with drones and/or total stations. Our CDR Operator course is now included within Crash Investigation 2, and all participants will complete the course certified to download and preserve event data recorders from vehicles.
Vehicle Dynamics is the branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of bodies and the action of forces in producing or changing that motion. Our Vehicle Dynamics course covers the dynamics relating to objects involved in traffic crashes. One of the key objectives of this course is to teach students the classical mechanics equations of motion.
This third course in our sequence provides an introduction to basic mathematical procedures and to the basic laws of physics necessary for those who wish to attend Traffic Crash Reconstruction 1 and Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2. Among the topics covered are:
This 4th course in our sequence teaches the foundations of reconstruction to those entering the crash reconstruction profession. In addition to the prerequisite courses in this series, participants should possess an understanding of physics as well as math skills that include high-school level algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
Students utilize the knowledge obtained in Crash Investigation 1 and 2, as well as Vehicle Dynamics, to
begin developing an understanding on how a crash occurred. Based on Lynn Fricke’s greatly expanded textbook, Traffic Crash Reconstruction, this course focuses on analyzing and interpreting information that has been collected at lower levels of investigation in order to describe the crash and the events leading to actual impact in as much detail as possible.
Crash Reconstruction 1 participants will learn to apply the new knowledge from daily lectures to real- world case study situations. This learning format provides students with the training necessary to successfully reconstruct traffic crashes. After successfully completing this course, students will have obtained the core knowledge of traffic collision reconstruction and the ability to reconstruct collision situations using momentum.
In our 5th and final course in our sequence, participants continue to build on the skills learned in Reconstruction 1 and further expand their understanding of crashes. Students learn to analyze collisions using conservation of energy and utilize special velocity calculations for situations involving vehicle falls, flips, and rollovers. They also learn basic event data recorder analyzing skills and how to apply such data to traditional reconstructions. Finally, students develop an understanding of a Monte Carlo Statistical Analysis and learn to solve momentum-based collision sequences using spreadsheet analysis.
Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2 provides training through lecture and daily real-world case studies to tie lecture-learned knowledge to handson analysis. Upon successful completion of this course, students will possess core traffic collision reconstruction knowledge and the ability to reconstruct crashes using energy and statistical analysis of momentum-based reconstructions.
This course is a prerequisite for other advanced reconstruction offerings.
Prospective students can select an on-ground or online experience. The curriculum is the same no matter which format a student chooses.
We offer our traffic crash investigation and reconstruction courses in locations throughout the U.S. Click below to view open, upcoming sections in the five-course sequence and select your next class!
Different course locations may offer schedule variations, so be sure to review the schedules that are posted on the registration page for each individual course section.
Crash Investigation 1 and Crash Investigation 2 Online are offered as asynchronous courses. While the same curriculum is covered as in our on-ground sections, you will experience a longer time frame and the convenience of studying and participating from home, office, or wherever else life takes you. Consistent participation is expected, and students must complete assignments by set due dates.
Vehicle Dynamics, Traffic Crash Reconstruction 1, and Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2 are offered in a remote learning format and are synchronous, meaning that participants must log into the course site at a specific time and participate as if in a live classroom. Click here to learn more about NUCPS Online Learning.
Students who successfully complete all five courses in the NUCPS crash investigation and reconstruction sequence qualify for our new custom email signature logo. Learn more . . .
