Qualification & course specification
Introduction
This qualification specification is designed to introduce the learner to the use of PC-Crash as a kinetic reconstruction tool for use in Road Traffic Accident Investigation. It also covers the Crash3 algorithm and pre-impact kinematics.
It forms the third of four modules which are designed to take the learner through different stages of the PC Crash program. Modules 1 and 2 are suitable for all Road Traffic Investigators, whilst it is recommended that Modules 3 and 4 should only be available to Senior Road Traffic Investigators, with at least three to four years unsupervised experience.
Qualification regulation
The course has been developed by North West Technical Services Ltd (NWTS Ltd), who are the UK agents for Dr. Steffan Datentechnik (DSD), and has been approved by the Forensic Collision Investigators Network (FCIN), as an award for completion of the third module in PC-Crash training. It is open to both serving Police Officers and to Private Practitioners.
Qualification overview and objective
This qualification is intended for those who wish to use PC-Crash for the dynamic reconstruction of vehicle to vehicle road traffic accidents and multibody modelling of pedestrian collisions. The training will lead to an understanding of the principles and practices used in order to generate a kinetic reconstruction of road traffic accidents, including computer optimisation.
The course content can be found in Appendix 1.
Entry requirements
In order to complete this qualification, learners are required to hold a minimum of either:
- City and Guilds Institute Certificate in Road Accident Investigation
- University Certificate of Professional Development in Forensic Road Collision Investigation
- An equivalent certificate in the subject
AND
- Have completed a course, covering the extraction of data from CCTV analysis
- Have completed Module 1 – Draw Program and Module 2 – CCTV Analysis in PC-Crash, unless a proven knowledge in this aspect of PC-Crash can be demonstrated.
In addition to the above and prior to registration, those who wish to take Module 3 of the PC-Crash course are likely to be active members of either a Police Collision Investigation Unit, or practising Private Practitioners working in the area of Road Traffic Accident Investigation or equivalent.
The following are essential requirements for joining course:
- A working knowledge of the English language
- A sufficient level of numeracy for simple sums
- A working knowledge of a Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawing package
- A working knowledge of CCTV Analysis
- An understanding of 3D laser scanning or photogrammetry
- A basic understanding of Dynamics (Newtonian Principles)
Geographical coverage
This qualification is suitable for learners throughout the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland). It is also open to international learners.
Special needs
Every effort will be made to support learners with special needs (religion, disability etc). These need to be flagged up on the attached application form, and at the earliest opportunity, in order that there is sufficient time for suitable arrangements to be made.
Training venues
Because of the present Covid situation training will be undertaken using Zoom, with the number of learners restricted to 6, with the option in an emergency to increase this number to 8.
When Covid restrictions do not apply, the course can be supplied to up to 24 learners (with a classroom assistant) within suitable training facilities, supplied by the Client, or at a suitable Hotel or Conference Centre.
For validation purposes, the course sessions will be recorded, and copies of coursework and exam papers will be held in secure storage, at least up to the revalidation of the learner after three years.
Certification and re-validation
The successful learner will be Certificated for this module for a period of three years. Thereafter the validation can be renewed by attendance at the 2-day UK Workshop, held annually on the weekend after the May Bank Holiday. Arrangements can be made for additional Workshops to be presented at venues and times to be agreed between the parties (so long as sufficient attendees can be guaranteed). The annual Workshop will be based on case studies as well as new features added to the PC-Crash Program, and will include a short exam at the end of the Workshop.
The UK Workshop will also be attended by those who have completed and are certificated in Module 4 – Advanced Kinetics. Those that are successful in the exam will either receive a 3 year extension to their Certificate for Module 3 Kinetics or a combined extension to their certification for Modules 3 – Kinetics and Module 4 – Advanced Kinetics.
Where the expected level is not achieved, either in Module 3 training or at a later application for renewal, NWTS Ltd will make every effort to assist the applicant to obtain the necessary standard.
The cost for the annual Workshop (including hotel, meals and renewal of the Certificate) is presently £506.00 plus VAT, with a discount of 10% for ITAI members (£460 plus VAT). All efforts will be made to maintain these figures, however, they will be subject to market forces.
Guidance on delivery
The total qualification time and guided learning hours for this qualification are listed below:
The course consists of a two-day classroom programme followed by the production of one project by the learner. Thereafter there is a revision day including a written exam.
TQT is an estimate of the total number of hours it would take an average learner to achieve and demonstrate the necessary level of attainment to be awarded with the qualification, both under direct supervision (forming guided learning hours) and without supervision (all other time). TQT and GLH values are advisory and assigned to the qualification as guidance.
NWTS Award in “CCTV analysis in PC-Crash”
Credit Value: 5
Guide learning hours (GLH): 18
Total Qualification Time (TQT): 22
Assessment Method: Classroom Training and Project
Guidance on assessment
These qualifications will be assessed informally throughout the presentation of the course and formally by both assessment of the submitted project and the written examination on the revision day.
50% of the marks will be credited to the project work, with the remaining 50% based on the answers to the written examination. The pass rate will be set at 75% with a minimum pass rate in both sections of 60%.
A holistic approach will be taken with respect to the assessment of the learner in both the classroom and project stages of the module.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Where appropriate recognition of prior learning or prior achievement will be taken into account in the presentation of the module.
Required equipment for the training programme
The following is a list of the minimum equipment which is required by the learner in order to ensure that the training programme can take place within the allotted time, and to ensure that the learner can obtain the greatest benefit from Module 3. The items in red below are necessary for Web-based training, as this inevitably requires extra resources.
Training Program – Supplied by NWTS
- Download File – supplied by WeTransfer and containing Case Files and Notes
Training Program – Required resources for the Learner
- A valid DSD dongle
- Giving access to PC-Crash version 12.1 or newer.
- If a dongle is not available for the learner please contact NWTS, who can make suitable arrangements.
- A Computer with the following capabilities, as a minimum:-
- A Pentium or higher computer running Microsoft Windows 10 or above
- 64-bit capability preferred
- VGA card with a minimum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and 32-bit colour depth
- Video card to support Direct X 10 graphics acceleration for viewing 3D scenes
- Tablets and Small Screen Laptops are unsuitable because of the icon sizes in the program
- PC-Crash Software
- The computer needs to have been loaded with the PC Crash software from the discs at least 48 hours before the course. A check should be carried out to ensure that:
- The program loads as a valid copy, not as Demonstration Version. If there is a problem then contact NWTS immediately to solve this, before the training begins.
- The 3D DXF images (3D models of cars et cetera) has been installed. If in doubt please contact NWTS prior to the training so this can be verified.
- The computer needs to have been loaded with the PC Crash software from the discs at least 48 hours before the course. A check should be carried out to ensure that:
- A Mouse
- It is virtually impossible to move the pointer on the screen with sufficient accuracy using the Touch Pad. Users attempting that method will cause disruption to the training, as it will slow progress down.
- Access to PDF files
- The PC-Crash manual, which will be referred to in the training is a PDF document. Previously time has been lost arranging for computers to have access to Adobe.
- Local Hard drive
- Saving to a remote server takes time when dealing with large point clouds. Whilst this may be a requirement when dealing with real cases, it will again slowdown the training process. Training projects should be saved locally.
- Notepad
- Whilst the downloadable manual is available, there will inevitably be some points that the learner would like to note for future reference.
- Project
- There will be a requirement for the learner to submit one or more projects, covering the training programme, and these need to be sent to NWTS via a link. The preferred system would be Dropbox or WeTransfer.
- Calculator (advisable only)
- Network connection
- With the training carried out over the Internet the quality of the network connection is extremely important. It may be advisable to speak with your IT department to ensure that the best possible network connection can be given to the learner. Slow Internet connections cause significant delays and can affect the level of training that can be given.
- Web Cam
- The Zoom courses are limited to a maximum of 8 learners to ensure that the trainer can see each person on the course and monitor them, to make certain that no one is falling behind. A Web Cam is essential. Slow Internet connections can prevent the trainer seeing the learner.
- Access to WeTransfer
- The course materials will be available for download from WeTransfer via a link sent by email. Obviously, the learner needs to be able to access this information. You may need to speak with your IT department to ensure that course materials can be downloaded. The course materials will be available at least one week before the course. If the WeTransfer link is causing difficulties please contact NWTS at the earliest opportunity.
- Two Monitor Screens
- The learner will need 2 screens, one for the Zoom training and the second for working through the training examples in PC-Crash. Tablets and mini Laptops are unsuitable as the icons become too small to read.
Appendix 1: Course content – Module 3: Kinetic and Kinematic Modelling in PC-Crash
| Section | Learning Outcomes | Assessment Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Section of Module: | The Learner will: | The Learner can use or work with: |
| 1. Importing Plans | Review of the import of plans in PC-Crash |
|
| 2. Importing Vehicles | Understanding the different approaches to the import and scaling of vehicles |
|
| 3. Vehicle Settings | Understanding the drop down menu for vehicle settings |
|
| 4. Vehicle Deformation | Understanding deformation lines and Crash3 Algorithm |
|
| 5. Setting Up Crash Scenario | Understanding how to set up the crash scenario. z = 0, and what is visible on the screen |
|
| 6. Kinematic Backwards Calculations | Understanding the use of kinematic backwards calculations |
|
| 7. Case Studies | Understanding the application of PC-Crash to different crash scenarios |
|
| 8. Optimisation | Understanding both generic and advanced optimisation, as well as the Monte Carlo system |
|
| 9. Simulation | Understanding how to generate views from the different locations and the fly through option |
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