T. Thompson & Associates
Accident Reconstruction Consultants
1600 Merrill Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 489-7566
| |
T. Thompson & Associates |
Information on this page was taken directly from the ACTAR site and from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board site. We thank them for this information.
|
In 1985, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided a grant to develop national guidelines for the standardization of training in the field of traffic accident reconstruction. A task force of accident reconstructionists, engineers, police officers, educators and attorneys met and developed a report entitled Minimum Training Criteria for Police Traffic Accident Reconstroctionists. In that report, the task force addressed certification of individuals in the field and recommended that "a certification board be formed" to accredit accident investigators and reconstructionists. Five years later, twelve professional accident reconstruction associations with world-wide representation met to explore the possibility of forming an internationally recognized accreditation program open to both police and civilian accident reconstructionists. The Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) was the result of that coalition. The Governing Board of Directors, comprised of one representative from each participating association, has included police officers, engineers, educators and private consultants all working in the field of traffic accident investigation and reconstruction within the United States and Canada. ACTAR was founded by and exists for the benefit of the traffic accident investigation and reconstruction community, as represented by the membership of the participating professional organizations. The Commission has not been obligated to nor controlled by any governmental body or agency. Since its incorporation in 1992, it has been the ongoing goal of ACTAR to promote, within the legal and scientific community, a recognition of the minimum standards established by the NHTSA study, as well as those developed by an ongoing review of the latest technology and trends in the profession. Minimum standards have been designed to advance the recognition of the ACTAR accreditation program, and in doing so, to encourage the integrity, consistency and professionalism of those involved in traffic accident investigation and reconstruction, to promote the professional and intellectual development of those individuals, organizations and institutions involved in traffic accident investigation and reconstruction, to assist the legal and scientific community in weighing the suitability of individuals offering their services as Accident Reconstructionists and to improve public awareness of the profession as it relates to the legal system. By way of committee discussions of different aspects of accident investigation and reconstruction training programs, as well as review of other disciplines practicing in the field, the ACTAR Governing Board of Directors developed a formula for minimum training and experience requirements. Applying those minimum standards to a higher level of understanding and knowledge in the collision investigation and analysis field, the Governing Board of Directors created and refined a multi-part accreditation examination. That examination was reviewed by outside independent professionals in the testing field, as well as educators, to ensure an objective, clear and thorough examination. Although participation in the accreditation program is voluntary, people who are properly trained and experienced in accident investigation and reconstruction can successfully complete the examination and achieve accreditation. Those accredited must obtain a minimum number of continuing educational units (C.E.U.'s) over a five year period from completion of the initial examination to maintain their status with ACTAR. Frequently Asked Questions About ACTAR What is ACTAR? The Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) is an internationally recognized commission with approximately 500 ACTAR Accredited Reconstructionists practicing throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia. These Accredited Reconstructionists are engineers, police officers, consultants, former police officers and those of other backgrounds working in the profession. How does an accident reconstructionist become accredited? A reconstructionist must apply to the commission and meet minimum standards of education and experience. If the standards are met, the reconstructionist must successfully complete a practical and a theoretical examination to be accredited. How does an accident reconstructionist maintain accreditation? The reconstructionist abides by a code of ethics (discipline procedure under ACTAR bylaws) and maintains a minimum level of continuing education in the profession. Who governs the commission? A Board of Directors with representatives from the following organizations: International Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists (IAARS) Society of Accident Reconstructionists (SOAR) National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS) National Association of Traffic Accident Reconstructionists and Investigators (NATARI) Canadian Association of Technical Accident Investigators and Reconstructionists (CATAIR) Midwest Association of Technical Accident Investigators (MwATAI) Southwestern Association of Technical Accident Investigators (SATAI) Maryland Association of Traffic Accident Investigators (MdATAI) Central Missouri State University (CMSU) Illinois Association of Technical Accident Investigators (IATAI) Texas Association of Accident Reconstruction Specialists (TAARS) Washington Association of Technical Accident Investigators (WATAI) New Jersey Association of Accident Reconstructionists (NJAAR) Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Michigan State Police (MSP) Forensic Accident Reconstructionists of Oregon (FARO) American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) New York Statewide Traffic Accident Reconstruction Society (NYSTARS) Should I renew my accreditation early or wait until the end of the five-year accreditation period? The answer may depend upon the propensity for acquiring CEUs. If you foresee attending any training courses for which CEUs are likely to be offered and you already possess the 80 CEUs required for reaccreditation, you may wish to renew early so that the upcoming course CEUs can be used for the next renewal period. CEUs, in excess of the required 80, are non-transferrable between renewal periods. Upon renewal the CEU count starts from zero. Crash Reconstruction Specialists, State of Illinois This information is from the State of Illinois, Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. It is about the "Accident Reconstruction Specialist" program, now called the "Crash Reconstruction Specialist". This name change was adopted by the State of Illinois to support NHTSA's direction in this area. NHTSA started to refer to accidents as crashes. Accidents give the public a perception, when the word crash is what really happens. You must be an active law enforcement officer to take this exam. To take this exam you must apply and meet the training requirements in accident investigation and reconstruction to take the exam. Crash reconstruction has grown from a little recognized discipline to an accepted profession. In 1985, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sponsored a committee of accident reconstructionists, lawyers, engineers, and teachers to develop national guidelines for the certification of those pursuing the specialty of crash reconstruction. In order to validate the professional expertise of individuals practicing crash reconstruction in Illinois, a formal program was adopted by the Board effective September 1, 1996. Illinois remains today the only state to offer such a program in the United States. Since the inception of the program over 225 officers have been certified. The program requires that an applicant complete four major training programs from Board certified schools. Upon completion of these courses, an application is submitted to the Board. If the application is approved, the applicant is required to take and pass all three parts of a cost-free state exam with a score of 70% or better. Finally, the recommendation of applicant's credentials and their ability to pass the exam are presented to the Board for certification as an Crash Reconstructionist. For more information on the Illinois "Crash Reconstruction
Specialist" certification, contact: |
This site is Copyrighted and Maintained by |
