* 2026 Fundamentals of At-Scene Crash Investigation - Feb. Class ** Morris County Police Academy

Registration for this class is now open.

 

 

Fundamentals of At-Scene Crash Investigation

One-Week

Kean University’s Statewide Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program presents this new one-week class, offered free to Law Enforcement Crash Investigators, with funding and support from the New Jersey Division of Traffic Safety.

This new course is replacing the two-week Basic Crash Investigation Course.

Dates: February 23rd to February27th, 2026
Location: MorrisCounty Public Safety Training Academy

 

Course Syllabus

Fundamentals of At-Scene Crash Investigation

Course Length

One Week (40 Hours)

Intended Audience

This is an entry-level crash investigation course for sworn law enforcement officers who are responsible for responding to, documenting, and investigating motor vehicle crashes at the scene.

Students are required to bring a calculator that, at a minimum, can perform square and square root calculations.  It would be beneficial for the student to obtain a scientific calculator if they intend to further their education in crash investigation.

Course Description

This new one-week course is replacing the two-week Basic Crash Investigation.  The new course provides law enforcement officers with foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to properly recognize, document, measure, and interpret traffic crash scenes.  Emphasis is placed on crash dynamics, human factors, roadway- and vehicle-based evidence, basic crash-mathematical concepts, and legally defensible investigative practices.  The course integrates classroom instruction with hands-on field exercises to reinforce accurate data collection and documentation techniques required for effective at-scene crash investigation.

This training is designed to assist officers in developing the technical skills necessary to recognize, record, document, and, when appropriate, collect evidence encountered during the investigation of serious injury or fatal motor vehicle crashes.  The information and evidence documented during this course are intended to be preserved and later transferred to investigators with advanced training for further scientific analysis.

It has long been understood that the success of any collision reconstruction depends mainly on the quantity and quality of roadway, vehicle, electronic, and human-related evidence present in a given crash.  Reconstruction becomes increasingly complex—and in some cases impossible—when critical evidence is altered, destroyed, lost, or improperly documented.  Upon successful completion of this course, officers will possess the skills necessary to conduct more thorough, methodical, and professional crash investigations.

While the techniques taught in this class may not be required for every crash (e.g., minor property-damage collisions), they are especially valuable in cases involving bodily injury or in evolving investigations in which criminal statutes may later be implicated.  Societal, departmental, and personal benefits are realized when officers are appropriately trained to recognize and preserve crash evidence, and they develop greater proficiency and efficiency by regularly applying these principles during routine crash response.

Students will need to bring a basic scientific calculator (cell phone use as a calculator is prohibited) and a drafting compass to the class.

If you have any questions or problems enrolling, contact Rich at richard.maxwell@kean.edu or cell phone (732) 567-7431.

 

 

 

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM:

By submitting a request to register for this course, you have read, understand, and agree to the provisions outlined below:

1.    If you cannot attend this training class, a cancellation request must be sent by email from yourself or your agency to maxweric@kean.edu  AT LEAST 14 DAYS BEFORE the first day of training for this class.

2.    You are unable to attend, and an approved replacement is found who will attend the training in your place, a replacement request must be sent by email from yourself or your agency to maxweric@kean.edu  AT LEAST 3 DAYS BEFORE the first day of training for this class.  This request must contain the officer's name to be replaced and the new officer’s name, rank, email address, and cell phone number.

3.    If you or your agency fail to provide any of the above notifications and you do not attend the training on the first day of class, you forfeit your ability to register for any NJDHTS-sponsored training courses (found on NJSAFEROADS.COM) for a period of no less than 6 months from the 1st day of training of the course missed.

4.    Submitting this registration request does not ensure you a spot in this class. You will be notified by email from the Program Training Coordinator, Rich Maxwell of your enrollment status no later than three weeks before the start day of the class.

If you are submitting this request for the above officer to attend this class and would like a copy of the confirmation email sent to you, please submit your name and email address in the boxes below.