Accident investigation data: Users’ unrecognized challenges

Abstract

The purpose of this study report is to raise awareness among accident investigation data users about the differences in investigation and analysis methods used to produce that data, and the challenges this situation poses for any users. Accident investigation practitioners may utilize any of over 30 methods to produce reported data about an accident. When descriptions of these methods and investigators’ work products are compared, each method can be seen to differ from all the others, usually in several ways. Numerous samples of the foundational thinking about what accidents and investigations are, investigation purposes, and why accidents happen, show the diversity in that thinking, and indicate why so many investigation and analysis methods exist today. This report documents an experienced investigation practitioner’s observations and analysis of the consequences of using these different methods to produce the data in accident investigation reports, and the challenges that situation poses for accident data users. Responses to the situation are suggested for users, practitioners and academics.