Diploma in Forensic Methodologies and Evidence Preservation
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in forensic methodologies and evidence preservation. 8 modules covering forensic vehicle investigation, scene inspection, technical inspection of damaged vehicles, vehicle electronic data, collision reconstruction, chain of custody and the expert report and its defence in court, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Plan a forensic investigation of vehicle collisions.
Document the scene with measurement and photography techniques.
Carry out technical inspections of damaged vehicles.
Extract and interpret vehicle electronic data.
Reconstruct collisions using physical methods and simulation.
Preserve evidence with a robust chain of custody.
Write and defend an expert report.
Who it's for
- Collision reconstruction experts.
- Forensic vehicle investigators.
- Police collision investigation technicians.
- Insurance assessors.
- Event data analysts.
- Technical consultants to the courts.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter forensic and insurance work.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (general vehicle safety, event data recorder)
- UN Regulation No 160 (event data recorders)
- SAE J1698 (event data recording)
- ISO/IEC 27037 (identification and preservation of digital evidence)
- PC-Crash
- Virtual CRASH
- Bosch CDR
- FARO Zone 3D
- Agisoft Metashape
8 modules
1.1Objectives of technical collision investigation1.2Judicial and expert witness framework1.3Phases of a forensic investigation1.4Roles of the expert, police and insurer1.5Principles of objectivity and independence1.6Types of collisions and incidents1.7Mechanical failure versus human error1.8Expert reports and their structure1.9Liability of the expert1.10Case study: analysis of a judgment based on expert evidence
2.1Protecting and documenting the scene2.2Systematic forensic photography2.3Measurement with total station and laser2.43D scanning of the scene2.5Braking and skid marks2.6Debris, fragments and fluids2.7Final rest positions of vehicles2.8Road conditions and signage2.9Sketches and scale plans2.10Practical: survey of a simulated collision scene
3.1Deformation and damage profiles3.2Inspection of tyres and wheels3.3Inspection of brakes and steering3.4Analysis of lamps and filaments3.5Restraint systems and airbags3.6Seat belts and loading marks3.7Component failures and basic fractography3.8Inspection of electrical systems3.9Recording the inspection3.10Workshop: technical inspection of a damaged vehicle
4.1Event data recorders (EDR)4.2Data extraction with certified tools4.3Interpretation of pre-crash data4.4Airbag control unit data4.5ADAS and camera system data4.6Telematics and connectivity data4.7Limitations and validation of data4.8Legal aspects of data access4.9Electronic data report4.10Laboratory: interpretation of an EDR report
5.1Impact physics: momentum and energy5.2Speed calculation from deformation5.3Analysis of perception times and distances5.4Pedestrian collisions and throw-distance calculation5.5Collision simulation with software5.6Visibility and glare analysis5.7Video analysis and photogrammetry5.8Uncertainty in reconstruction5.9Validation of hypotheses5.10Practical: reconstruction of a junction collision
6.1The concept of chain of custody6.2Identification and sealing of evidence6.3Storage of vehicles and parts6.4Preservation of electronic data6.5Logging access and handling6.6Destructive testing and consent of the parties6.7Joint inspections with other experts6.8Return and destruction of evidence6.9Errors that invalidate evidence6.10Workshop: custody protocol for an ECU
7.1Structure of the expert report7.2Writing conclusions and their grounds7.3Presenting calculations and appendices7.4Procedural rules on expert evidence7.5Affirming the report in court7.6Examination and cross-examination7.7Technical communication before judges7.8Ethics of the expert witness7.9Fees and instructions7.10Practical: mock court appearance
8.1Selection of the case study8.2Scene inspection plan8.3Vehicle inspection8.4Electronic data analysis8.5Collision reconstruction8.6Custody protocol8.7Complete expert report8.8Preparing for the court appearance8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PC-Crash, Virtual CRASH, Bosch CDR, FARO Zone 3D and Agisoft Metashape, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for surveying collision scenes, extracting and interpreting EDR data and reconstructing junction collisions. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, UN Regulation No 160, SAE J1698 and ISO/IEC 27037, together with procedural rules on expert evidence.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PC-Crash, Virtual CRASH, Bosch CDR, FARO Zone 3D and Agisoft Metashape, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector; no university degree is required.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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