Forensic Training Group

There is still time to register for your chance to hear FTG's Steve Anderson and many other outstanding presenters speak at the 2026 NAPARS Symposium to be held in Chattanooga, TN, April 14-16. Steve's workshop will be on Bendix SafetyDirect Data in Heavy Vehicle Crashes:

This presentation introduces Bendix SafetyDirect and the types of commercial-vehicles airbrake, ABS, and stability-related data that may be available to investigators and reconstructionists today. Attendees will learn what information SafetyDirect can provide now, common pathways for obtaining and preserving that data (including practical request workflows and documentation considerations), and the real-world limitations that affect interpretation—such as sampling rates, event triggers, connectivity gaps, and fleet/permission constraints. The session will close with reconstruction-focused case integration, showing how SafetyDirect data can be correlated with physical evidence and other sources (ECM/EDR, video, telematics, scene measurements, and driver statements) to support braking timelines, speed/behavior inferences, and system-status interpretation while maintaining defensible analytical boundaries.

Be sure to visit our booth there also. To register, go to:

NAPARS - 2026 Symposium on EDR Research and Training NAPARS is proud to continue sponsoring top-quality training around the country and the globe, by bringing the third Symposium on EDR Research and Training to Chattanooga TN. Our host facility is the Embassy Suites Chattanooga Hamilton Place, located approximately 5-7 minutes from the Chattanooga (CH...

Cold weather doesn’t stop heavy-truck crashes—and it can’t stop effective investigations. Forensic Training Group instructors Steve Anderson and Mike Conley demonstrated that reality during a recent Heavy Truck Technician and Event Data Recorder course. Investigating heavy-truck crashes in cold conditions requires specialized hands-on skills, including restoring electrical and mechanical systems to operational status in order to conduct a complete and defensible inspection—skills that simply cannot be learned online.

Members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol understood the importance of this training and braved the cold to complete comprehensive heavy-truck inspections as part of the course.

Congratulations on a successful and productive training week.

Thank you to Lea County New Mexico Sheriff's Office and Upper Macungie, PA Township Police Department for hosting the classes listed below. The updated list and registration links can be found on our website: https://forensictraininggroup.com/course-calendar.

May 4-8, Motorcycle Crash Reconstruction, Lea County Sheriff’s Office, 1417 S Commercial St, Lovington, NM

Nov 2-6, Pedestrian/Cyclist Crash Investigation, Lea County Sheriff’s Office, 1417 S Commercial St, Lovington, NM

Dec 7-11, Heavy Truck Reconstruction Techniques, Grange Park Community Center, 360 Grange Road, Allentown, PA

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Thank you to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for having FTG instructors Steve Anderson and Mike Conley this week to present HVEDR Analyst training.

This 4-day training expands the students’ knowledge on HVEDR digital data analysis. This class will consist of a review, followed by a deep dive into previous testing, validation and research articles on each OEM with references. Additional topics include analysis for collision mitigation from Wabco, Bendix and Detroit Assurance with previous testing, validation and research on each. A workbook is issued with this class where students will be required to complete bit-sized analysis sections, eventually building on the full complete reconciliation of data files. This course goes over several portions of heavy truck digital data analysis from actual cases worked, which will allow the student to experience real life correlation of digital data. As this course progresses, discussions about specific topics to be aware of when testifying along with a specific lecture on expert evidence outlining pitfalls and traps to avoid. Eligible for ACTAR credits

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Forensic Training Group (FTG) has experienced a strong and productive start to the year. As part of our ongoing crash mitigation testing conducted during training courses, we have acquired a second Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) target vehicle. In addition, we have expanded our research capabilities by incorporating multiple camera systems commonly used in heavy trucks to evaluate their validity and the investigative data they provide.

FTG has also finalized plans to conduct an in-depth study of passenger vehicle impacts with trailer side underride, building upon Instructor Scott Skinner’s prior underride research. Vehicle and trailer acquisitions for this project are currently underway, and recognized leaders in the traffic crash reconstruction field have been invited to participate in the testing efforts. Additional details will be released as the testing phase approaches.

Looking back, 2025 marked the busiest year to date for FTG training courses, and early indicators suggest that 2026 will exceed that pace.

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Don't miss your chance to hear from FTG's Steve Anderson and several other expert speakers at the 2026 Symposium on EDR Research and Training, hosted by , April 14-16 in Chattanooga, TN. Steve will be presenting Bendix SafetyDirect Data in Heavy Vehicle Crashes -

This presentation introduces Bendix SafetyDirect and the types of commercial-vehicles airbrake, ABS, and stability-related data that may be available to investigators and reconstructionists today. Attendees will learn what information SafetyDirect can provide now, common pathways for obtaining and preserving that data (including practical request workflows and documentation considerations), and the real-world limitations that affect interpretation—such as sampling rates, event triggers, connectivity gaps, and fleet/permission constraints. The session will close with reconstruction-focused case integration, showing how SafetyDirect data can be correlated with physical evidence and other sources (ECM/EDR, video, telematics, scene measurements, and driver statements) to support braking timelines, speed/behavior inferences, and system-status interpretation while maintaining defensible analytical boundaries.

NAPARS - 2026 Symposium on EDR Research and Training NAPARS is proud to continue sponsoring top-quality training around the country and the globe, by bringing the third Symposium on EDR Research and Training to Chattanooga TN. Our host facility is the Embassy Suites Chattanooga Hamilton Place, located approximately 5-7 minutes from the Chattanooga (CH...

The FTG team-James Loftis, Steve Anderson, Scott Skinner, and Tony Becker, came together in Gulf Shores, AL for their annual summit. During their meetings, they remained driven by the mission to provide world-class training rooted in the most current, research-driven methodologies. They are ready to share their ideas and roll out new things in 2026!

Many have asked for our current list of 2026 Open Enrollment Courses. As more will be added, be sure to check our webpage for updates.

March 9-13
Advanced Heavy Vehicle Crash Reconstruction
Hampton Inn Pleasant View, 2606 Hwy 49 W, Pleasant View, TN

March 16-18
Heavy Truck Post Crash Inspection
Hampton Inn Pleasant View, 2606 Hwy 49 W, Pleasant View, TN

March 16-20
Motorcycle Crash Reconstruction
San Marcos Police Academy, 2300 South IH-35, San Marcos, TX

May 4-8
Heavy Truck Reconstruction Techniques
Fort Worth Police Department Training Facility, 505 W Felix St, Fort Worth, TX

May 12-13
Smart Sensor Simulator #2 Advanced Direct to Module Training
2606 Hwy 49 W, Pleasant View, TN

Jun 3-5
Advanced Commercial Vehicle Systems Training
11933 E 116th St N, Collinsville, OK

Jul 27-30
HVEDR Use in Traffic Crash Investigation Technician and Analyst Training
Fort Worth Police Department Training Facility, 505 W Felix St, Fort Worth, TX

Aug 25-27
Human Factors in Traffic Crash Investigation
Oakland County Sheriff's Office, 1200 N Telegraph Building Suite 38E, Pontiac, MI

Sep 2-4
Heavy Truck Post Crash Inspection
Hampton Inn Pleasant View, 2606 Hwy 49 W, Pleasant View, TN

Sep 21-25
Advanced Heavy Vehicle Crash Reconstruction
Fort Worth Police Department Training Facility, 505 W Felix St, Fort Worth, TX

Nov 2-6
Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorder Technician and Analyst Course
909 Commerce Rd, Annapolis, MD

Visit our Course Calendar page for more information and to enroll:

Forensic Training Group EXPERIENCED, RESPECTED INSTRUCTORS OFFERING HIGH QUALITY TRAINING BASED ON CURRENT, RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION

Our partners and staff are holding their annual meeting in beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama. The sunshine, ocean views, and perfect weather are providing an ideal backdrop for strengthening our relationships and discussing the exciting future of our program. So thankful for the enthusiasm, talent and expertise each one brings to the table. Stay tuned for news on what is in store for 2026 and beyond!

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Today marks the 10-year anniversary of Forensic Training Group. What began as a vision to provide practical, high-quality forensic training has grown into a trusted program supported by outstanding instructors, host agencies, and students. We are deeply grateful for the relationships built over the past decade and remain committed to delivering training that makes a lasting impact.