Energy Methods and Damage Analysis in Traffic Crash Reconstruction

This comprehensive 40-hour course, offered by the Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM), is designed to help traffic crash reconstructionists master energy-based analytical methods. Many professionals find the subject of energy challenging and intimidating, which often leads them to avoid incorporating energy methods into their crash analysis work. This course removes that apprehension by breaking down complex energy concepts into understandable, practical applications.

Course Overview

Throughout this training, you will develop the ability to evaluate and interpret crashes through an energy-focused lens. The curriculum begins with foundational principles and advances through progressively more sophisticated techniques. You will gain clarity on frequently misunderstood concepts including Equivalent Barrier Speed (EBS) and delta-V, and you will master multiple collision analysis approaches, such as damage momentum analysis, which may prove more effective than traditional conservation of linear momentum methods in certain situations.

The course also addresses crush analysis in depth, examining the three primary energy equations that incorporate crush measurements. Hands-on outdoor projects will give you practical experience in documenting and measuring damaged vehicles, calculating damage-related energy values, and determining speeds from physical evidence.

Upon completion, you will feel confident applying energy-based analytical methods in your investigations and will have a solid grasp of the fundamental science that underlies commercial crash simulation software. This course serves as an excellent supplement to training on crash analysis software programs.

Prerequisites

You must have successfully completed IPTM's Traffic Crash Reconstruction course or an equivalent program. If your background in mathematics and physics is limited, IPTM strongly recommends first completing their 16-hour Re-Introduction to Math and Physics (Online) course prior to enrollment.

Topics Covered

• Standards, measurements, and dimensional analysis
• Understanding and applying conversion factors
• Vectors
• Damage momentum and crush analysis
• Crush measuring protocol and techniques
• Outdoor practical project—damage interpretation and crush measurement
• Energy concepts and analytical methods
• Determining appropriate post-impact drag factors
• EBS and delta-V comprehension
• Conservation of linear momentum and delta-V vectors
• Introduction to crush and Hooke's Law
• Collision analysis utilizing damage momentum
• Stiffness coefficients—understanding and calculation
• Damage and crush analysis techniques
• Pole impacts and fracture energy
• Solving in-line collisions using simultaneous equations

Target Audience

This course is suitable for law enforcement and private sector traffic crash investigators, insurance claims adjusters, engineers, attorneys, safety officers, and military investigative professionals.

What to Bring

Required:

• Scientific calculator
• Work clothes appropriate for outdoor activities and varying weather conditions

Recommended:

• Camera
• Flash drive (2GB or larger capacity)

Course Details

Duration: 40 hours

Class Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily

Fee: $895.00

ACTAR CEUs: This IPTM course qualifies participants for 40 ACTAR Continuing Education Units.

Upcoming Session Dates and Locations

Greensboro, North Carolina
October 5-9, 2026
Greensboro PD - District Two Substation, Community Room
2305 Soabar Street, Greensboro, NC 27406

Tempe, Arizona
November 16-20, 2026
Tempe Police Department - Hardy Substation
8201 South Hardy Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284
Instructors: John Daily, Hamed Sadrnia

Fort Myers, Florida
November 16-20, 2026
Southwest Florida Public Safety Academy
4312 Michigan Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Instructors: Roman Serrano, Michael Catalano

Scott, Louisiana
January 4-8, 2027
Lafayette Parish SO Training Center
1825 West Willow Street, Building 2, Scott, LA 70583
Instructor: John Daily

Lakeland, Florida
January 25-29, 2027
Lakeland Police Department Training Academy
3131 Centurion Drive, Lakeland, FL 33805
Instructors: Michael Catalano, David Roland