Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the training which is undertaken by gardaí to allow them to investigate road crash scenes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19505/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that trainee Gardaí receive instruction on investigation of traffic collisions in two phases. In phase one instruction is provided by way of lectures on duties on occurrence of a collision, offences disclosed, demanding and exchanging appropriate information, categories of traffic collisions, dealing with injured persons and examination of the scene. On completion of examinations a two hour practical module is held for each class where a simulated traffic collision is created and students must role play as investigating members. A briefing before the exercise and critical analysis after the exercise take place.

In phase two, trainee Gardaí receive practical instruction from Divisional training staff on traffic collisions. A simulated traffic collision is created and student Gardaí must role play as investigating members. Trainee Gardaí during their phase two training also learn experientially the investigation of traffic collisions while on placement with operational units. I am also informed that continuous professional development is on-going in that an intensive specialist forensics collision investigation course for police personnel is completed by members selected for training as forensic collision investigators.