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 Course Information
Course: Basic Crash Investigation
Category: Motor Vehicle & Accident Investigation
Location: SCPO Instructors
Attire: Business Casual / Practical Application
Description:
Basic Crash Investigation
This 2-week Basic Crash Investigation training is the first in a series that will teach officers the proper techniques for recognizing and properly recording evidence and damage that occurs when motor vehicles collide. It teaches students how to properly investigate crashes rather than simply reporting them. Students will gain an understand of some basic laws of motion that will allow them to correctly identify, document, memorialize, and photograph critical evidence that may be important should a full reconstruction of the crash subsequently be needed.  
 
Topics include professional interviewing techniques for gathering information from people; recognizing specific roadway evidence; and methods to preform vehicle damage analysis. This course is designed for any officer that investigates crashes at all levels of severity and is essential for officers assigned to a traffic bureau. Some basic math formulas will be taught, and officers enrolled should have basic (sometimes rusty) algebra skills.
 
Equipment: Students will need a scientific calculator as cell phone use as a calculator is prohibited; a compass, and a 360-degree protractor. The instructor will email specific information about this equipment once you are registered so please wait if purchasing these tools.
 
Location: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Police Training Institute located in the Emergency Services Training Academy (ESTA) 402 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
 
Date: 06/16/25 to 06/27/25 (2 weeks- M-F)
          *Registration opens on 3/16/25*
 
Time: 0800-1600hrs
 
Cost: Free - Kean University’s Statewide Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program presents these workshops, which are free to Law Enforcement Crash Investigators, with funding and support from the New Jersey Division of Traffic Safety.
 
Registration:
Students wishing to register must wait until 90 days before the course occurs and go to "  https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-highway-traffic-safety-home/police-resources/  " and click on the Basic Crash Investigation link. There, you will find all Basic Crash Investigation classes scheduled for this grant year. Scroll down to find the course held at the Somerset County Emergency Services Training Center and click the Jotform link listed for your desired course date.
 
If you have any questions or problems enrolling, contact Rich Maxwell at maxweric@kean.edu or cell phone (732) 567-7431.
 
Please contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Police Training Institute (scpti@co.somerset.nj.us) with any venue-related questions or concerns.
Schedule: All classes are coordinated through the vendor link above.