What is the primary function of accident investigators?

• A. Determine the sequence of events and their cause.
• B. Assign blame for the accident.
• C. Develop a new safety protocol only after the investigation.
• D. Conduct a financial audit of the training program.

Answer: (A)

Accident investigators focus on what happened and why, reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying the underlying causes and contributing factors. This understanding is used to implement corrective actions that reduce the chance of a similar incident occurring in the future and to improve overall safety. Blame is not the primary aim of an investigation; the goal is to learn about system weaknesses and process failures to prevent recurrence. Stating that new safety protocols are developed only after the investigation misses the broader point—findings inform improvements, but the core purpose is causal understanding rather than timing of protocol creation. A financial audit of the training program doesn’t fit the investigation’s purpose either, since it addresses budgeting and compliance rather than causation and prevention.