How should crash investigators interact with witnesses?

The preferred approach for crash investigators when interacting with witnesses is to identify and separate them for unbiased interviews. This method is essential because it helps to minimize the potential for contamination of witness testimonies. When witnesses are interviewed together, they may influence each other's recollections, intentionally or unintentionally altering their accounts of what they saw. By separating the witnesses, investigators can obtain independent statements, allowing for a clearer and more accurate assessment of the events leading up to and during the crash.

Moreover, conducting individual interviews provides investigators with the opportunity to ask tailored follow-up questions based on the specific details each witness provides, leading to a more thorough understanding of the incident. This practice also enables investigators to identify any discrepancies between different accounts, which might indicate their reliability or point to additional details that need to be corroborated.

In summary, separating witnesses for individual interviews is a critical step in ensuring the integrity of the investigation and obtaining accurate, reliable information about the crash incident.