Cranfield is proud to deliver this world-leading course for military and civil road accident investigators. This course builds on our world-renowned Fundamentals of Accident Investigation course to further develop the particular skills required for military and civil road accident investigations. It draws upon the experience of road safety and vehicle industry expertise to give an in-depth view of the road accident investigation process.

The course content was carefully developed in close collaboration with the UK Defence Accident Investigation Branch and the Australian Army Land Safety Investigation Branch.

The course is programmed to run annually in July.

The course concentrates on applying techniques to the specialised aspects of road accidents and serious incidents.

A major element of the course is a five-day simulation exercise. The exercise covers many aspects including: team management; accident site management; accident site safety; evidence planning and collection; accident site photography; witness interviewing; media management, working with recorded data; documentation investigation; analysis techniques; formal report writing and development of safety recommendations.

At a glance

  • Dates
    • 07 - 25 Jul 2025
    • 06 - 24 Jul 2026
  • DurationThree weeks
  • LocationCranfield campus
  • Cost

    Course fee: £5,760. The course fee includes refreshments and lunch during the day.
    Accommodation is not included and must be booked separately.

    Concessions available

Course structure

The course features lectures, tutorials and practical training, including a five-day simulation of a road accident investigation. The course is formally assessed and, when combined with our Fundamentals of Accident Investigation course, completes the core element of our MSc in Safety and Accident Investigation.

What you will learn

On successful completion, you will have gained the skills needed to confidently conduct a road accident investigation.

Core content

  • Management of complex investigations
  • Investigation of military/civil road accidents
  • Scene examination and marking
  • Investigating vehicle stability
  • Human factors in road investigations
  • Human factors in road reconstructions
  • Electric vehicle / autonomous vehicle investigations
  • Investigating road furniture and construction
  • Toxicology evidence and interpretation
  • Physiology, psychology and pathology in road investigation
  • Investigating with recorded vehicle data
  • Investigating survivability
  • Enhanced interview techniques
  • Applied analysis methods
  • Five-day accident simulation exercise
  • Working with the media
  • Report writing

Upgrade to a professional qualification

Many of our Continuous Professional Development (CPD) short courses within the Safety and Accident Investigation Centre are available as standalone CPD courses. Our postgraduate programme in Safety and Accident Investigation allows you to combine the Fundamentals of Accident Investigation and Applied Road Accident Investigation courses towards a part-time Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or a Master of Science (MSc) qualification.

Structure of accident investication course

Who should attend

The course is designed for those who may have to conduct, or participate in, a road accident investigation. Having previously attended Fundamentals of Accident Investigation is a prerequisite.

Concessions

Where three delegates or more are booking from within one site or one organisation, a discount of 10% will apply to the invoice for the course tuition fee. Accommodation fees are not included in the discount scheme. Please ask about our discount scheme at time of booking.

Accommodation options and prices

We are pleased to offer an exclusive accommodation package at our Mitchell Hall hotel. Located on campus, all rooms are en-suite and available on a half-board basis Monday to Fridays and on a full-board basis on a Saturday and Sunday during the course. The cost of this package is £2460.

If you would like to book this accommodation package* for this short course, please indicate this on the registration form.

*Subject to availability.

Alternatively, you may wish to make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel.

Location and travel

Cranfield University is situated in Bedfordshire close to the border with Buckinghamshire. The University is located almost midway between the towns of Bedford and Milton Keynes and is conveniently situated between junctions 13 and 14 of the M1.

London Luton, Stansted and Heathrow airports are 30, 90 and 90 minutes respectively by car, offering superb connections to and from just about anywhere in the world. 

For further location and travel details

Location address

Cranfield University
College Road
Cranfield
Bedford 
MK43 0AL


How to apply

To apply for this course please use the online application form.

Apply now

Read our Professional development (CPD) booking conditions.