Conducting an Accident Investigation
Course 102
Safety Certified Supervisor Series

MODULE 3: CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS

Introduction

Once you have initially documented the accident scene, it becomes important to start digging for details through the interview process. Conducting interviews is perhaps the most difficult part of an investigation. The purpose of the accident investigation interview is to obtain an accurate and comprehensive picture of what happened by obtaining all pertinent facts, interpretations, and opinions. Your job, as the interviewer is to construct a composite story using the various accounts of the accident and other evidence. The effective interviewer will have a firm understanding of the techniques for interviewing and the skills acquired through experience to apply those techniques.

This module will help you understand the difference between an initial interview and an investigative interview, how to set up an interview, and develop interview questions. The module will also discuss how to organize the interview and participants to be able to obtain accurate information.