Incident investigation is the process of analyzing an event—usually an accident, safety issue, security breach, or operational failure—to determine its cause and prevent future occurrences. It typically follows a structured approach involving data collection, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.

Key Steps in Incident Investigation

1. Immediate Response & Containment

   • Ensure safety and secure the scene.
   • Provide medical attention if needed.
   • Prevent further damage or escalation.

2. Data Collection

   • Gather witness statements, surveillance footage, logs, and records.
   • Take photographs and document the scene.
   • Preserve any physical or digital evidence.

3. Analysis & Root Cause Identification

   • Use techniques like 5 Whys, Fishbone (Ishikawa) Diagrams, or Fault Tree Analysis to find the root cause.
   • Identify contributing factors such as human error, equipment failure, or process gaps.

4. Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)

   • Develop solutions to address the root cause.
   • Implement policy or procedure changes.
   • Provide training or modify systems to prevent recurrence.

5. Report & Documentation

   • Create an incident report detailing findings, actions taken, and recommendations.
   • Share the report with relevant stakeholders.

6. Follow-up & Review

   • Monitor corrective actions to ensure effectiveness.
   • Conduct periodic reviews to assess improvements.