Digital Photography training for Forensic Collision Investigators and Forensic Vehicle Examiners
Our courses are designed to give you both the theory and practical knowledge to fulfil your roll and capture consistent and dependable evidential images. They focus on ensuring you get the support you need both during the course and following it. We provide manuals, help guides, videos and email and phone support to ensure you are not left struggling at those critical times. We have provided training to over 100 forensic collision investigators and forensic vehicle examiners, from both the police service and private sector and we have received excellent feedback, in respect to the quality and breadth of the training we provide.
Initial Level Certificate
Three days of training, daily assessments, practical assessment and a final on-line examination (to be completed within 7 days from the end of the course). This is an ideal course for someone new to the discipline, who has no experience of using a DSLR/Mirrorless camera. The course covers the basics of using DSLR’s/Mirrorless cameras and the technology, day and night time scene photography, Macro and the use of flash. An extensive pre-read is provided ahead of the course, together with help guides to assist the student post course.
Standard Level Certificate
One week of training (5 days), where students undertake daily assessments, practical assessment, on-line final examination (to be completed within 7 days from the end of the course) plus a photographic portfolio of images based upon 4 assignments, submitted within 6 weeks from the end of the course. Graded - Pass or Merit (marks dependant). Refresher course within 3 years. Pre-read, Supporting manual, videos and help guides, plus email and telephone support for up to 12 months. Loan equipment during the course is available if required.
Advanced Level Certificate
One week of training (5 days), where students undertake daily assessments, practical assessment, on-line final examination (to be completed within 7 days from the end of the course) plus a photographic portfolio of images and written essays, based upon 6 assignments, submitted within 10weeks from the end of the course. Graded - Pass or Merit and Distinction (marks dependant). Refresher course within 5 years.
Pre-read, Supporting manual, videos and help guides, plus email and telephone support for up to 12 months. Loan equipment during the course is available if required.
Both the Standard and Advanced Level Certificates cover the same training, but the Advanced certificate requires students to undertake a greater number of assignments and, as well as providing a portfolio of images, they must also provide written essays alongside the images, detailing the equipment use, processes used, results and a summary of the assignment.
These courses cover everything from the various camera technologies (including components) and how they work, the differences and how they impact on the work of an FCI/FVE, through to lenses, settings, modes, image capture in different conditions and lighting scenarios, photographing day and night time scenes, vehicles, components and views. It also covers a number of different techniques to capture images and detail, even when it appears the camera can’t. Photographic principles, such as depth of field, focus, exposure, aperture, perspectives and menus are also covered. We also cover Exif data, who to analyse images, basic image developing, dust deletion, lens and sensor cleaning and camera calibration.
In addition, it is important for FCI’s and FVE’s to understand how to back up data, maintain audit trails and otherwise conform to best practice and align with the requirements of the FSR, so this is also included, and more.
Refresher Course
Three days of refresher training with updates, practical assessment and image assessment. This is aimed at established and trained FCI’s and FVE’s, who need to brush up on their skills, knowledge and learn new techniques. Supporting manual, videos and help guides, plus email and telephone support for up to 12 months. Loan equipment during the course is available if required.
Advanced Forensic Vehicle Examiners Digital Photography Course
A 3 day practical based course for FVE’s concentrating on capturing images of vehicle damage, views, defects, components and failures, using macro and standard lenses with various lighting techniques. This course is based at a recovery agents premises and utilises damaged vehicles as the subjects, both in and outdoors.
This course is ideal for anyone who has undergone previous training and wishes to expand their knowledge and skill. Supporting manual, videos and help guides, plus email and telephone support for up to 12 months. Loan equipment during the course is available if required.
All students who successfully complete the above courses are awarded certificates outlining their grade, student number and refresher date.
Adobe Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, Nikon NX-Studio & Canon DPP training
We also provide training in the above software packages for FCI’s and FVE’s, to enable you to improve images, understand when images have been edited, compile images for HDR, focus stacking, panoramas, damage overlays, tethering and component reconstruction using photography and images. This is a two day course. Students require a laptop and software.
