Safety Trained Supervisor in Construction (STSC) Practice Exam

When interviewing a witness during an accident investigation, what is the best approach?

1. Interview witnesses all at once

2. Interview witnesses simultaneously

3. Interview witnesses one at a time

4. Interview non-witnesses first

The correct answer is: Interview witnesses one at a time

The most effective approach when interviewing a witness during an accident investigation is to conduct these interviews one at a time. This method allows for a more focused interaction, enabling the interviewer to delve deeply into each witness's account without influence from others. Witnesses might recall details differently, and interviewing them individually minimizes the risk of one person's narrative affecting another's recollection of events. Moreover, when witnesses are interviewed together, it can create a dynamic where some individuals may withhold details or conform their statements to align with others, which can compromise the integrity of the testimony. Conducting separate interviews fosters a more open environment where witnesses may feel more comfortable sharing their honest observations and feelings about the incident. In contrast, gathering witnesses all at once or simultaneously can lead to confusion and may not allow for the clarity needed in obtaining specific details. Interviewing non-witnesses first might delay obtaining critical information immediately relevant to the incident and can lead to lost details that might be more accurately captured when the event is more fresh in the minds of those who witnessed it.