Module overview
Accident investigation is a cornerstone of safety management systems in complex, safety-critical systems. Good practice in investigation and analysis is therefore fundamental to extracting safety learning from accidents so that recommendations can be made to prevent recurrence.
This module provides students with a grounding in the investigation process and covers some key techniques for both evidence collection and analysis. A sociotechnical systems perspective is adopted, considering how people, processes and technology interact to cause (or otherwise) accidents and incidents. The module focuses on the theory and methodological aspects of accident investigation, so there is no fieldwork involved, but plenty of case studies are used throughout to illustrate the application of the process.