Forensic Collision Investigator

This profile has recently been updated to include the CVF 2024 and core skills, and the new version can be found on College Learn by entering the Profile title in the search function. Please note this profile is out of date and is in the process of being reviewed.

Attend the scene of fatal and life threatening collisions to gather and provide expert evidence to the investigation team and the criminal justice system.

• Engage with, implement and abide by departmental procedures in line with the requirements of the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice and Conduct and the International Standards Organisation (ISO/IEC 17020:2012) standards to provide a quality service.
• Record and map the scene of fatal and life threatening road collisions using a variety of methods and equipment to prepare visual representation.
• Conduct examinations of a range of vehicle types as part of investigations to collisions.
• Ensure thorough and meticulous collection, preservation and interpretation of the scene and other evidence, including vehicle defects and digital data to report on the circumstances of the collision.
• Deliver competent, factual reconstructive reports, evidential statements, when appropriate, expert and interpretive reports, and continuity processes for the criminal justice system.
• Advise how to interpret and assign conclusions to forensic findings, distinguishing between factual and expert reporting.
• Assist other team members with investigations and participate in the FCIN peer review process.

Prior education and experience:

• City & Guilds or University Certificate of Professional Development (UCPD) (level 4) in Forensic Collision Investigation, or equivalent.
• An FCIN approved Level 4 Statistics Course.
• Passed FCIN competence assessment.

Skills:

• Good communication skills with the ability to listen to others.in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, groups, and communities.
• Able to produce concise reports or other documents.
• Able to present evidence in court and at other hearings.
• Skilled in the use of standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements, including creating visual records for forensic investigations.
• Able to use resources efficiently in own role and to comply with financial rules and procedures.
• Able to identify potential opportunities to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.
• Able to break down a straightforward problem into component parts and determine appropriate action, including the evaluation of forensic examination of items and collision scenes, and to take decisions and evaluate outcomes.
• Able to review own performance objectively and to develop and follow an appropriate continuous improvement plan.
• Able to appropriately prioritise and plan own work.
• Able to identify potential new ways of working and innovation where appropriate and possible to enhance efficiency and/or effectiveness within own area of work.

• Maintain competence by completing annual competency assessment provided by the Forensic Collison Investigation Network (FCIN).
• Maintain authorised practitioner status on FCIN list of authorised FCIs.
• Keep up to date with new approaches to evidence based policing and technological approaches within the forensic collision field.
• Complete all annual and mandatory training as stipulated by any national and force guidelines.
• Keep up to date with national guidance to your core duties.

Membership of Chartered Society of Forensic Science or Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators (ITAI) (Associate level as a minimum).

• Forensic Vehicle Examiner
• Forensic Collision Investigation Unit Supervisor