Incident Investigation -- Tips, Techniques & Trivia

This week I'm in Casper, Wyoming. Not exactly the first place that I might choose for an early winter getaway. I'm attending a four day "Latent Root Cause Experience" sponsored by ConocoPhillips. I look forward to sharing what I'm learning with you in future newsletters.
Jeff

Interviewing Tips

Dig and Probe

These tips deal with the investigation of sensitive issues such as sexual harassment, however, some concepts would be equally applicable to serious incident investigations as well. This is the final part of a three part series.

Do not be reluctant to make the person uncomfortable. It is your job to make it hard for the person to tell anything but the truth. Be alert to and ask questions about exaggerations, inconsistencies, gaps, etc., whether in the interview, or between the interview account and a previous statement.

Do not assume that a discrepancy is unimportant. Make the interviewee aware of the fact that you know they gave a different account previously, and you will only accept a complete and honest account. When interviewing the subject of the investigation, do not be in a hurry to get to the "bottom line" questions. Let them talk, about anything. The more they talk, the less they will remember about answers that were untruthful when it is time to resolve conflicting information. Keep notes of conflicts, and then confront them with the conflicting information.

Do not be unnecessarily specific about who said what. If the subject gives an explanation of events that sounds exonerating, ask how that explanation can be confirmed. For subjects, victims, and pertinent witnesses, write up their statements and have them sign them. Review each statement for new leads and new questions, and then follow up on them. Follow all leads to a logical conclusion.

SOURCE: peramerica.com

Tire Failures - Looking for a Tire Expert

Consider your local tire shop. Don't take a tire back to the dealer and expect an unbiased opinion. Use the competition as a starting point. - Jeff. Did the tire fail before the accident or as a result of it? If the tire failed before the accident, did a manufacturing defect, improper handling, installer negligence or consumer misuse causes the failure?

Only an investigator who has specialized expertise in tires and their interaction with the road, wheels and vehicle can provide the answers. To determine when the failure occurred, every abrasion, score, and cut mark on the tire must be examined, in addition to the failure area. Tire pressure and tread depth should be measured and recorded. The condition of the valve assembly should be evaluated. Deterioration of the rubber can cause cracks and splits in the stem, potentially resulting in air loss. Ideally, the tire should be examined in conjunction with the wheel. The wheel and rim may exhibit scuff marks, scratches, dents and even wear marks that provide valuable clues in determining the cause of the failure. Even balance weights can contribute to the total accumulation of evidence. The tire/wheel assembly needs to be examined in the context of vehicle and scene evidence. For example, abrasions to the tread shoulder or the sidewall of the tire can be indicative of a vehicle in yaw. Irregular tire marks can indicate that the tire was flat prior to the crash and not as a result of it. Cuts on the tire can be matched to sharp edges of bodywork on the vehicle. It is important to note that cases with a potential tire failure issue must be investigated promptly and the condition of the tires documented photographically. Spoliation of evidence is a real concern in tire failure cases. The condition of the tire can be affected by towing the vehicle, by improper storage of the tire and vehicle, or by improper examination of the tire by other parties.

SOURCE ruhl.com