This course is designed for agency representatives who are currently active in photographing crash scenes. We will guide you through the proper use of your departmentally issued camera, using at least three different camera modes beyond the camera’s Auto mode. This training will be accomplished through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practical exercises.
You will gain knowledge and confidence in both daytime and nighttime scene documentation, as two of the five days will be dedicated to nighttime photography through demonstrations of flash photography techniques and the use of available light. We will spend one day at a local salvage yard, where you will apply the skills acquired in the classroom to simulate the post-crash vehicle inspection normally at the impound lot. You will also learn macro techniques for recording close-up evidence, including vehicle lamp photography.
You will leave this course with a confident working knowledge of techniques for photographically recording vehicles, vehicle damage, and vehicle-related evidence with your departmentally issued digital camera. The course requires full attendance of all scheduled instruction, completion of all planned projects assigned, and evaluation by the instructors.
Topics Include
- Use of digital cameras
- Analyzing the crash scene
- Close up documentation
- Lighting conditions
- Night, inclement weather and flash photography
- Photographing vehicle damage
- Photographing human body injury
Audience
Law enforcement and private traffic crash investigators, claims adjusters, engineers, medical examiners, attorneys, safety officers, military investigative personnel, animators and graphic designers
Florida Students: FDOT grant-funded seats are available to sworn Florida law enforcement personnel, civilian crime scene personnel and Medical Exhaminer Technician Field Investigators employed by Florida agencies (federal and military law enforcement personnel in Florida do not qualify).
Course Length
40 hours
What to Bring
Required
- Digital camera (SLR format preferred)
- Memory cards
- Card reader designed for the camera's memory card
- External flash for mounting on the camera's hot shoe
- Off-camera sync cord
- Extra batteries for the camera and flash unit
- Battery charger
- Tripod
- Level
- Work clothes for outside activities (including inclement weather)
Recommended
- Camera manual
- Remote shutter release cable or wireless remote
- Circular polarizing filter that will fit your camera's lens (i.e. 52mm, 62mm, 72mm, etc.)
- Laptop computer with administrative privileges
ACTAR Information
IPTM's Digital Photography for Traffic Crash Investigators course is eligible for 40 ACTAR CEUs.
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What Our Students Are Saying
- “Excellent of course – well blended between in class instruction and hands-on practicals. Instructors work strictly knowledgeable on the topic. Kept attention and high energy that maintained my interest. I would highly recommend this course.” – N.S.
- “The hands on was phenomenal! I love that at least half hour day was actually driving the camera. I also appreciated the instructors make sure each person knew what we were doing.” – H.T.
- “Both instructors very knowledgeable and willing to help. Course was very informative and would recommend to other police officers.” – Ptl. C.D.
- “Every aspect of the course was beneficial” – Ptl. F.S.
- “Being hands-on helped learning and making it fun. I have a new appreciation for photography.” – Ofc. A.S.