Road traffic accident investigator Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a road traffic accident investigator, or collision investigator, you would be responsible for carrying out detailed examinations of accidents. You would piece together events leading up to an accident to try and work out why it happened.

You might work in a police traffic unit, or on behalf of an insurance company or legal firm.

Your duties would include:

• working with the police to gather witness statements
• examining vehicles and the accident scene
• checking tachograph information on larger vehicles like lorries or coaches
• analysing accident scene photographs
• producing scaled plans of an accident scene
• reconstructing accidents using software programs to work out contributing factors like vehicle momentum and speed.

The information you collect would be used to produce accident reports and expert witness testimonies for judicial and civil courts, and tribunals.

Hours

Your working hours are likely to be irregular and occasionally unsocial.

On a self-employed or consultancy basis, you would work the hours that an assignment demands. As an accident investigator for the police, you could work shifts and have on-call duties. Part-time hours could be available.

You would work outside at the accident site when gathering information, and write up reports in an office.

Income

• Police force traffic investigators are paid between £20,000 and £30,000 a year
• Freelance or consultant investigators charge an hourly rate, which ranges from £30 to over £100.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

For many of the accident investigation training courses you will need GCSEs (A-C) in maths and physics, or equivalent qualifications. Experience in related areas of work such as the emergency services could be helpful.

You could take the Continuing Professional Development Certificate in Forensic Road Collision Investigation, offered by Ai Training Services and approved by DeMontfort University and the Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators. The course is open to the public and covers the maths and physics you need for the job, investigation principles and reconstruction techniques.

• De Montford University

The course lasts around 32 weeks and you study by distance learning and attend a week's residential training. Contact Ai Training for more information.

There are other courses offered by private training providers that lead to certificates and diplomas in road traffic investigation. It is important to check that the course you take is approved by a recognised awarding body or institution. The Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators (ITAI) may be able to help you with this.

• The Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators (ITAI)

The police force also employs both police officers and civilians in collision investigation. On joining the police force, you would work within a road policing department and gain a qualification on the job. See the Police Officer job profile for details on how join the police.

Training and development

If you are going to work as an investigator in the police force, you would train towards the City & Guilds Certificate in Forensic Collision Investigation. This qualification is only available for the police and police support staff.

You could take further specialised courses, such as vehicle examination. You can find these through private training providers and organisations like the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The ITAI provides a continuing professional development (CPD) scheme for its members. You would be required to complete a minimum of 18 hours' CPD each year. See the ITAI website for more information.

• Institute of Road Traffic Accident Investigators (ITAI)

Skills and knowledge

• an enquiring mind and good problem-solving skills
• the ability to prioritise information
• a methodical approach to gathering evidence
• the ability to work alone
• the ability to pay very close attention to detail
• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• good maths and IT skills.

More information

Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators
Column House
London Road
Shrewsbury
SY2 6NN
Tel: 08456 212066
www.itai.org

Ai Training Services Ltd
Unit A5
Lakeside Business Park
Broadway Lane
South Cerney
GL7 5XL
Tel: 01285 864650
www.aitsuk.com

Opportunities

Most job opportunities are with road traffic investigation units in the police force, insurance companies, local authorities or legal firms. You should contact organisations directly for information about vacancies.

With experience, you may be able to work on a freelance or consultancy basis.

You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)

• Police - Could You?
• All Police Jobs
• Directgov (Jobseekers page)