Northwestern University Center for Public Safety -

The concept of scientific crash investigation has been a part of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety since its inception in 1936. We literally "wrote the book" on crash investigation and reconstruction. In addition to writing the books, we also continue to be world leaders in providing training in traffic crash investigation and reconstruction through our many courses of study. We offer the most comprehensive program of its kind, with the course series beginning at basic crash investigation and culminating in advanced traffic crash reconstruction.

The Center's textbooks set the standard for serious crash investigators, attorneys, engineers, and insurance adjusters around the world. Traffic Collision Investigation is the 10th edition of the volume initially written by renowned engineer and traffic safety researcher J. Stannard Baker and continued by many faculty members who have taught at the Center for Public Safety. Its companion, Traffic Crash Reconstruction, newly updated and expanded in 2010, uses real-world crash cases and mathematical formulas to help interpret how a crash occurred.

Traffic Crash Investigation 1

Traffic Crash Investigation 1introduces the concept of investigating crashes rather than just reporting them. The most valuable information in determining how a crash occurred is available at the crash scene. The investigator must know both what evidence to collect and how to collect it. Documentation of the scene through knowing what to measure and how to map it is also a key part of this class. The text for this class in the latest edition of Traffic Collision Investigation, the ground-breaking book initially created by J. Stannard Baker, one of the founders of the science of crash investigation. The Center's expert instructors present lectures and demonstrations and supervise practical work projects in class and in the field. Those who successfully complete this training session will significantly improve their qualifications to handle all aspects of the majority of traffic crashes occurring within their jurisdictions.

For more information about Crash Investigation 1, or to register, please click_here.

Traffic Crash Investigation 2

Traffic Crash Investigation 2 builds on what was presented in Traffic Crash Investigation 1. While the primary focus of Traffic Crash Investigation 1 is on the identification and collection of evidence at the crash scene, the focus of Traffic Crash Investigation 2 is more on the interpretation and analysis of crash-related evidence. This course is newly revised for 2010 and now includes specific instruction in the use of laser-based devices, featuring Laser Technology, Inc units, for measuring evidence at crash scenes and downloading that information into mapping software. The text for this class is also J. Stannard Baker's Traffic Collision Investigation.

For more information about Crash Investigation 2, or to register, please click_here.

Math and Physics Workshop for Crash Reconstruction

Our Crash Investigation 1 and Crash Investigation 2 classes provide attendees with the skills they need to identify and collect evidence at crash scenes. The classes that follow, Vehicle Dynamics and all Reconstruction-related classes, make extensive use of mathematical formulas and basic laws of physics and motion. The Math and Physics Workshop for Crash Reconstruction provides a review of the mathematical and physics formulas and concepts that are employed in those classes. This refresher is designed for those who may have studied algebra, trigonometry, and basic physics, but have not had the opportunity to use that knowledge and related skills for years.
For more information about Math and Physics Refresher for Reconstruction, or to register, please click_here.

Vehicle Dynamics

Vehicle Dynamics introduces students to the laws of physics and mechanics that relate to motor vehicle collisions. The classroom instruction and use of case studies prepares students to continue their education in various crash reconstruction classes. Students who have not recently completed Traffic Crash Investigation 2 (or the Math and Physics Workshop for Crash Reconstruction) will be required to successfully complete the Vehicle Dynamics Readiness Exam before they can register for this class.
For more information about Vehicle Dynamics, or to register, please click_here.

Traffic Crash Reconstruction 1

In crash reconstruction, the investigator examines and reviews the information that was collected at the crash scene, from the involved vehicles, and involving the human element and possibly collects other relevant information. The reconstructionist then provides an interpretation of the evidence to indicate how the crash likely occurred. Traffic Crash Reconstruction is newly revised for 2010 and features the completely updated and revised 2010 edition Traffic Crash Reconstruction by Lynn B. Fricke. This class combines lectures, other course material, and extensive analysis of real-world case studies.

For more information about Traffic Crash Reconstruction 1, or to register, please click_here.

Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2

In Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2, the investigator will further explore the techniques for reconstructing traffic crashes. This class also used the newly revised and expanded Traffic Crash Reconstruction by Lynn B. Fricke as a text. In this class, the investigator acquires even more advanced skills through the analysis of real-world case studies including motorcycle, pedestrian, and truck collisions.

For more information about Traffic Crash Reconstruction 2, or to register, please click_here.

Heavy Vehicle Crash Reconstruction

As its name implies, Heavy Vehicle Crash Reconstruction examines the unique characteristics of how heavy vehicles, specifically including articulated vehicles, perform in various crash scenarios. Areas of emphasis include assessment of truck braking systems, event data recorders, tachygraphs, and gear positions. As is our practice in all reconstruction classes, investigators assess case studies showing how various analytic techniques can be applied to real world crashes.

For more information about Heavy Vehicle Crash Reconstruction, or to register, please click_here.

Pedestrian Vehicle Crash Reconstruction

The majority of collisions involving pedestrians require the services of a reconstructionist. The behavior of a human body after being struck by a vehicle is guided by basic laws of physics; however, there are specialized formulas that are applied in pedestrian involved collisions. Similar to other reconstruction classes, the investigator is provided with real work case studies to analyze.

For more information about Pedestrian Vehicle Crash Reconstruction, or to register, please click_here.

Traffic Crash Reconstruction Refresher

The field of traffic crash reconstruction is always evolving, and new technologies are always being introduced both on vehicles and for the science of reconstruction. This three-day course is designed for those who completed their crash reconstruction training some time ago and need to renew their skills or for those who need an update on newer technologies such as electronic data recorders, LED or HID vehicle lights, and ABS brakes and stability control. The Traffic Crash Reconstruction Refresher reviews both the basic physics techniques that are used to analyze traffic crashes and the newest technologies. As with all of our reconstruction classes, extensive use is made of real world cases.

For more information about Traffic Crash Reconstruction Refresher, or to register, please click_here.

New CI Manual

Traffic Crash Reconstruction Kit

Two Book Set

$100 Savings

$20 Savings

In an effort to meet your needs, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety has redesigned its Crash Investigation Courses so that your agency can take advantage of our superior instruction in a variety of ways.

You enroll in courses on-campus at Northwestern University's Center for Public Safety. You get hands on practical approach for all levels of crash investigation and reconstruction from our expert instructors.
If you have some technical experience and are a self starter you can take Crash Investigation 1 Online - Self-paced and Crash Investigation 2 Online - Self-paced. This comprehensive program provides you with the same information and the same detailed study of crash investigation as presented during the Center's two-week on-campus or field courses. You will learn to make measurements, sketches, after-crash diagrams and photographs of the crash scene. You will also be taught in an interactive format, with instructors to guide you through the process and grading your projects and exams. After successfully completing Crash Investigation 1 Online and Crash Investigation 2 Online, you will be prepared to begin the entire series of advanced investigation and reconstruction courses offered on campus at the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and around the country.
Your agency enters into a contract with NUCPS, and we bring our instructors to you for the same high-quality instruction on-site.

If you are interested in hosting an Crash Investigation course on-site at the location of your choice, please contact Roy Lucke by e-mail at rlucke@northwestern.edu or by phone at 800-323-4011, extension 1-3469.