Road Traffic Accident Investigator

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 variable

on call on shifts

How To Become a Road Traffic Accident Investigator

You can get into this job through:

a university course
working towards this role
applying directly
specialist courses run by professional bodies

College / University

You could get into this job by taking a course through a professional body like AiTS. Courses include:

University Certificate of Professional Development (UCPD) Forensic Road Collision Investigation
Foundation Degree in Forensic Road Collision Investigation

2 or 3 A levels, including maths or science, or the UCPD in Forensic Road Collision Investigation, for the foundation degree

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

You could join the police service as an officer or part of the civilian support staff and work in a road policing department, while doing qualifications on the job in traffic collision investigation.

You may be able to apply for an investigator job if you have qualifications and several years' experience in engineering, technical testing or health and safety.

Other Routes

You could take a private training course in road traffic investigation. It's important to check that the course you do is approved by a recognised awarding body or institution.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of public safety and security
customer service skills
legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use your initiative
analytical thinking skills
knowledge of psychology
knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

examining vehicles and vehicle parts
creating plans of the scene and making time and distance studies
working out vehicle speed through the amount of crush damage
checking tachograph information on vehicles
getting technical information from vehicle manufacturers
producing reports
acting as an expert witness

Working Environment

You could work on the road or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Institute of Traffic Accident Investigators, for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.